The Top 8 Reasons to Switch Your Telematics Provider Right Now

Not happy with your current telematics provider? Maybe it’s time to make a switch. Find out the top 8 ways you know it’s time to switch to a new fleet management partner.

When choosing a provider for fleet management solutions, you want to work with a company that is both tech-savvy and committed to your business. From managing the movements and behaviors of your drivers to keeping track of your assets with access as easy as handling your mobile phone, you’ll want to create a checklist that suits the needs and demands of your business.

The trick is to be balanced in your search for the right fleet management provider. While some fleet telematics companies can deliver on the features you want, they may not be able to hit the mark on training and support. Conversely, there are companies that are new and inexperienced in fleet management that may offer a great price, but won’t be able to support your business in the long run. At the end of the day, getting the best value for your business is key.

Making a list of what you want out of your fleet management technology package is a great way to start. At a minimum, your telematics provider should be able to:

• Provide quality, affordable telematics technology.
• Have a history in the fleet management industry.
• Focus on delivering quality, expert customer service and support.

 

The History of Telematics in Fleet Management

The use of telematics software to track drivers, vehicles and assets started about 40 years ago. After the launch of the first GPS satellite, many technological advancements were born. Web Fleet mentions that the most notable growth began in 1996, when US President Bill Clinton signed a directive that made the GPS an international utility. 

GPS tracking in fleet management began to experience a boom in the late 1990’s. Initially, the software was composed of in-vehicle hardware that sent data to a local server. Fleet managers would access the data via local software, which provided historical data in updates. In those early stages, fleet managers paid for each individual update.

Telematics has continuously evolved and expanded to include GPS tracking capabilities, driver-behavior data, video telematics and asset tracking. In 2010, the first app that incorporated telematics was introduced. GPS technology in telematics needs to be reliable and state-of-the-art. That’s one of the reasons that having a provider that is at the forefront of new developments in this technology is mission-critical. 

8 Reasons to Switch Your Fleet Management Solutions Provider

Are you considering switching your fleet management service provider? Tracking your assets can be convenient and easy with the right fleet management software in place. The best packages for asset protection and management incorporate both GPS telematics and video telematics by giving you a well-rounded view of the movements of your fleet.

If you identify with any of these, it might be time to make a switch:

You’re sick of being stuck in a contract.

Your investment in telematics technology for fleet management shouldn’t be a commitment you can’t get out of if you’re not happy. Ideally, your telematics partner should work hard to deliver a return on your investment every single month. Having the option to cancel your telematics service allows the flexibility you need to make the decisions that are right for your business without the worry. 

You want a better price.

If you’re a business owner or manager, you know price can be a driving factor in your decisions. However, the sticker price isn’t the only thing you should consider. When you’re searching for a new telematics partner, think “value” rather than “price.” For example, if you’re not getting the features or support you need to get a decent return on your telematics investment, then price becomes nearly irrelevant. Look for quality in relation to price to make the best choice. 

You want to be able to customize to your business needs.

Every fleet’s needs are different and your telematics software should be able to reflect and adapt to those differences. Whether your interest in fleet management stems from needing to keep a closer eye on your drivers and assets or route tracking, data and reporting should be customizable to a level that benefits your business. As with most things, one size never fits all. Don’t settle for a fleet management solutions provider that doesn’t understand the demands of your particular business. 

You want a company that has experience.

The telematics industry is overwhelmingly robust with companies offering their services. What you want is an industry leader that not only has a handle on the technology but is also adept at problem-solving and catering to the needs of your particular fleet (and continue to do so as it grows). Take a look at customer reviews or see if they provide any customer success stories to get an idea of how the company has performed over time. Additionally, take a look at their history and growth.

You want a system that better integrates with your other business software.

Think about the business systems you rely on every day, such as billing and payroll. If your current fleet management solution isn’t working with those platforms, it just means extra work for you and your team. That’s where having an open API comes into play. API stands for Application Programming Interface and allows seamless integration of telematics software with other programs. With an open API, both you and third-party developers can integrate data collected via your telematics solution with your in-house systems.

You want better customer service and support.

There are few things more frustrating than lousy customer service — particularly when you’re paying for it. Great customer service is key to having a great relationship with your telematics service provider. When you need help with software questions or even have a billing issue, you want to make sure you can get an expert on the phone who’s happy to support you. Take a look at the feedback they get for their customer service on review sites and check their hours to make sure they’re convenient for you and your business needs.

You want better training for you and your employees.

Using telematics technology can seem like a bit of a challenge on the front-end. After all, when you finally make the switch to a new provider, you want to ensure that both you and your employees are getting the most out of your new investment. Think about your company’s needs and determine how training is handled before you sign on the dotted line. For example, you may have employees on different shifts requiring more than one training session, or you may be experiencing a period of growth that demands that new employees get training. Finding a telematics provider that provides unlimited training at no extra cost should be the goal. 

You want an award-winning solution for your business.

Business and industry awards and recognition are a great, independent way to find out if your potential fleet management partner is providing a valuable solution for their customers. Though you’ll often read on a company’s website that they have a great solution, where’s the proof? Awards are a good way to measure that. Additionally, look for awards from names or companies you know. For example, while an award from Bob’s Business Bunker is nice, recognition by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 carries a lot more weight.  

Making the choice to switch your fleet management solutions provider can be tough. You rely on telematics data to bring you closer to your fleet and to the numbers that matter to your business. However, if you’re not happy with your service, the time is right to make the switch. 

Are you ready to switch from your current telematics provider? Start with our online ROI calculator to see how much you could be saving. You can also see our solution in action with a free, no-pressure demo from one of our expert Fleet Advisors.