Telematics is how fleet managers can measure and monitor the efficiency of their fleets. It allows you to track your vehicles and drivers, prevent theft, reduce accidents, optimize fueling and routes, ensure compliance with all regulations, and monitor the health of your vehicles.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top fleet telematics software platforms on the market and highlight the core features that make them so valuable for fleet managers.
Table of Contents
How Do Telematics Work?
Telematics works by using a device that plugs into a vehicle, gathers information from it, and then transmits that data by connecting to cell towers or satellites. That information is then put into a telematics platform, where it can be viewed, analyzed, and reported on in real time.
Basic Features of Telematics
What exactly does telematics do? Below is a list of the basic features and capabilities of most telematics platforms. Many also offer integration options with fuel cards such as the Voyager fuel card, making it easier to combine fueling data with trip and driver behavior reports.
- Real-Time GPS Tracking for all vehicles
- See live locations, speeds, routes, and statuses of vehicles (stopped, idle, driving).
- Ability to see trip and vehicle travel history.
- Driver Behavior Monitoring:
- Detects and reports aggressive driving as well as: seatbelt safety and vehicle idling.
- Has in vehicle coaching that alerts drivers and encourages safe driving.
- Reporting: All do some level of reporting on fuel usage, mileage, maintenance events, routes, geofencing breaches, and driver safety.
- Diagnostics & Maintenance: They can all monitor and detect engine leaks, emissions, fuel use, and mechanical fails.
- They can also all schedule maintenance reminders.
- Compliance: They support hours of service (HOS), driver vehicle inspection reports, IFTA, and ELD compliance needs.
- Routes & Geofencing: All have some time of route optimization and geofencing.
- Integration: Most can integrate but with what and how many all vary.
- EV: All except one support electric vehicles.
- Security & Privacy: All offer top notch security and data protection.
Geotab
An industry leader known for its highly customizable and open platform that can integrate with over 430 different fleet-related software tools like the Voyager fuel card and Google Cloud.
Strengths:
- Large integration marketplace
- In-depth analytics and reporting
- Scalable for any fleet size
Weakness: Higher cost than many competitors.
GPS Tracking:
- Has all the GPS tracking capabilities of regular telematics (see above portion).
- Review up to 2 years of trip history and vehicle movement.
- Monitor the time a vehicle/driver spends at customer locations.
- Geofencing with alerts when vehicles enter or exit boundaries.
Reporting:
- Generates various custom reports: fuel usage, mileage, maintenance, routes, geofencing breaches, driver safety.
- Tailors dashboards to show key metrics and trends.
Unique Features & Capabilities:
- Remote Tools: two way messaging (dispatch to driver), remote diagnostics, and keyless access to vehicles.
- Driver Assignment: assign drivers to vehicles with NFC tags (tiny programmable stickers that work with smartphones and other devices when tapped) so you can track performance based on the individual.
If you’re interested in learning more about Geotab and how it can help your fleet go here.
Samsara
Samsara is a fast-growing GPS and telematics software that has taken the industry by storm with its innovations and advanced A.I. integrations.
Strengths:
- AI-powered safety video dash cams and driver alerts
- Intuitive and mobile friendly user interface
- Modules for fleet, site, and operations management
- More affordable than its competitors without compromising quality
Weakness: Cellular-only communication may limit coverage in remote areas.
GPS Tracking:
- Has all the GPS tracking capabilities of regular telematics (see above portion)
- Monitors the time that vehicle/driver spends at customer location.
- Geofencing that allows you to set boundaries and receive alerts when vehicles enter and/or exit boundaries.
- Tracks assets and equipment for real-time location and usage of trailers, containers, heavy equipment, and non-vehicle assets.
Reporting:
- Customizable reports and dashboards
- Monitors cargo temperature/humidity.
- AI analysis that helps find patterns and suggest changes.
Unique Features & Capabilities:
- Remote Tools: Two way messaging (dispatch to driver), remote diagnostics, and keyless access to vehicles
- Driver Assignment: Assign drivers to vehicles with NFC tags (tiny programmable stickers that work with smartphones and other devices when tapped) so you can track performance based on the individual.
- Mobile document capture
- Devices can act as Wi-Fi hotspots
- Integrates with most inventory and payroll systems
- Cloud-based mobile apps
If you’re interested in learning more about Samsara and how it can help your fleet go here.
Verizon Connect
Built by Verizon, this platform offers broad fleet management with reliable network coverage.
Strengths:
- Reliable network coverage
- Precise location tracking
Weakness: Complex interface and has less telematic abilities than other platforms.
GPS Tracking:
- Has all the GPS tracking capabilities of regular telematics (see above portion).
- Can monitor the time that vehicle/driver spends at customer location
- Geofencing that allows you to set boundaries and receive alerts when vehicles enter and/or exit boundaries.
- Tracks assets and equipment for real-time location and usage of trailers, containers, heavy equipment, and non-vehicle assets.
- Can “replay” routes
Reporting:
- 50+ ready-to-use reports on usage, safety, fuel consumption, idling, maintenance, and compliance
- Customizable dashboards with KPIs and trends
- Carbon footprint and fuel efficiency reports
Unique Features & Capabilities:
- Driver Assignment: Assign drivers to vehicles with NFC tags (tiny programmable stickers that work with smartphones and other devices when tapped) so you can track performance based on the individual.
- Mobile document capture.
- Inventory/payroll system integration
- Roadside assistance.
If you’re interested in learning more about Verizon Connect and how it can help your fleet go here.
Azuga
Azuga is a more simplified telematics system that focuses mostly on fuel efficiency and fleet safety.
Strengths:
- Proactive safety features
- Ideal for smaller fleets
- Intuitive interface
Weakness: While the system is very simple to use, it is also not as advanced or powerful as some of its competitors.
GPS Tracking:
- Has all the GPS tracking capabilities of regular telematics (see above portion).
- Can monitor the time that vehicle/driver spends at customer location.
- Geofencing that allows you to set boundaries and receive alerts when vehicles enter and/or exit boundaries.
- Tracks assets and equipment for real-time location and usage of trailers, containers, heavy equipment, and non-vehicle assets.
Reporting:
- 50+ ready-to-use reports on usage, safety, fuel consumption, idling, maintenance, and compliance
- Carbon footprint and fuel efficiency reports.
Unique Features & Capabilities:
- Driver Assignment: Assign drivers to vehicles with NFC tags (tiny programmable stickers that work with smartphones and other devices when tapped) so you can track performance based on the individual.
- Provides driver scorecards.
- Can setup employee rewards for safe driving.
- Can schedule work orders and have customer histories via Azuga field service management.
If you’re interested in learning more about Motive and how it can help your fleet go here.
Conclusion
The right telematics software can transform fleet operations, improving everything from safety to compliance, route efficiency, and vehicle status tracking. With more control and oversight, you’ll have a more efficient fleet.
Telematics & Fuel Card Integration
Whether you’re focused on safety, efficiency, compliance, or all three, telematics paired with fuel card reporting can help you make better decisions, reduce costs, and keep your fleet moving forward.
Fill out the form below to learn more about our Voyager fuel card which can integrate with all of these GPS and telematic platforms.