Ditch the Complexity... Convergence is the Answer

With the growth of technology in the cab, fleets are struggling with how to manage the number of devices on the windshield and the connection of those devices in the vehicle. In fact, results of a recent FleetAnswers survey showed:

• 50% of fleet leaders are unhappy about the lack of data integration
• 58% of fleet leaders are not very satisfied with their telematics experience
• Fleets are spending $52 on telematics monthly subscriptions + $800 on hardware per vehicle

Video-based safety cameras, electronic logging devices and advanced driver assist system (ADAS) sensors are causing fleets to look for integrated solutions that solve the hardware and data overload problem. Fleets state that the data is not accurate and systems are unreliable and slow to respond. Beyond the number of devices on the vehicle, fleets also are contending with the cost to install, maintain and train on each of these technologies.

Layer on top of this disconnect the industry’s biggest telematics tech disruption as cellular providers migrate their networks to 4G – it’s no wonder that fleets are looking for a simpler solution. In fact, by 2023, 71% of today’s connected fleet vehicles will face obsolete connected on-board devices from the commissioning of 2G and 3G networks.* With the migration from 3G cellular networks to 4G, and the resulting need to upgrade onboard hardware, fleets have an opportunity to re-think and streamline their technology strategy.

“For too long, traditional telematics systems have saddled fleets like ours with costly hardware that is expensive to maintain and upgrade, and monthly subscription costs that continue to escalate,” states Matt Penland, vice president of safety, Cypress Truck Lines. “There has to be a better way. Fleets should have the same freedom and flexibility to consolidate devices and applications that we all now have on our cell phones. The technology is available to make this possible.”

The Promise … Delivered

Delivering on the promise of technology convergence, industry leaders – like SmartDrive and Geotab – are teaming together to provide solutions that simplify the on-board technology footprint, providing fleets the freedom to choose solutions that fit their business and their budget, while dramatically lowering the total cost of ownership. This ability to integrate and operate applications from a single data collection platform breaks through significant technology and operational barriers – unlocking efficiency gains for fleets across routes, drivers and risks. For the first time, fleets are able to select best-of-breed solutions without incurring the additional costs associated with managing and maintaining multiple onboard devices.

Fleets have been asking for a converged solution for many years. At the center of the solution is video due to its unique understanding of what’s happening in the fleet. A video-based safety program is not just about the cameras – it’s more about the insights and intelligence generated from the video, without the burden of having to watch every video. It’s also not just about providing a bunch of applications but, rather, an integration of those applications and the resulting data and insights. What it is about is bringing your data, telematics devices and connectivity touchpoints into a common hardware and data platform on a single box that powers it all.

Vehicles are loaded with sensors that deliver massive volumes of rich data. The data captured contains a wealth of insight that fleets can leverage to understand vehicle use and driver performance. The best solutions provide unbiased, contextual and actionable data; integrated performance management; and the flexibility to select prebuilt analytics or the ability to combine data feeds with a fleet’s own data and other third-party data.

As convergence becomes reality, fleets need to understand:

• Convergence is possible. It is not an idealized vision. It is possible today.
• Convergence is a state of mind. For the solution to be what a fleet wants it to be, the fleet needs to embrace openness, as do the technology vendors providing the solutions.
• Coopetition will drive success. As fleets realize they have the power to choose what’s best for them, their safety programs will become more efficient and more effective.

Convergence Simplifies Everything While Increasing Savings

Fleets that want less hardware, more choices and added opportunities to make better decisions are ditching the complexity of today’s solutions and moving to a converged solution. Helping them make the decision is the realization of the cost savings involved. Modern fleets operating on a converged platform can save up to:

• 40% on hardware
• 67% on installation costs
• 45% on subscriptions costs

… and reduce the number of cell data plans!

Ditch the complexity and examine your choices. It’s possible today. Learn more

SmartDrive Systems, the recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s Customer Value Leadership Award for Video Safety Solutions gives fleets and drivers unprecedented driving performance insight and analysis, helping save fuel, expenses and lives. Its video analysis, predictive analytics and personalized performance program help fleets improve driving skills, lower operating costs and deliver significant ROI. With an easy-to-use managed service, fleets and drivers can access and self-manage driving performance anytime, anywhere. The company, which is ranked as one of the fastest growing companies by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, has compiled the world’s largest storehouse of more than 220 million analyzed risky-driving events. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, and employs over 725 people worldwide.