There’s incredible pressure on fleets right now. For Fleet Managers, the answer is simple- operational excellence. However, anyone who has worked in transport will understand how difficult it is to achieve optimal efficiency with any consistency.
There’s no doubt that telematics are the surest path to excellence for fleets. Truth be told, without a sophisticated telematics system, fleet managers are going to find it increasingly difficult to match expectations.
Having said that, for those with a dated system or no system at all, the prospect of implementing a new fleet-wide system is a worrying one.
Telematics Implementation: What Are The Perceived Risks?
Telematics looks great on paper, but fleet managers can be reluctant to take the plunge. Here’s our pick for the top 4 objections from organisation leaders:
Uncertain ROI - This is at the top for good reason. Decision makers in your organisation can often view the concept of telematics as overhead with a load of risk attached.
Staff Resistance - The prospect of constant monitoring can spark apprehension among team members, fuelled by misconceptions about privacy and job security.
Integration Challenges - Integrating new systems with existing fleet operations can seem daunting, raising fears of operational disruptions.
Cost Concerns - Initial setup costs and the perceived complexity of maintaining new technology can lead to budgetary hesitations.
The Cost of Hesitation
These are all valid concerns, but with the right partner and attitude, they are also not truly reasons to steer clear of telematics. Especially as postponing the implementation of a new telematics system carries its own set of risks and costs. Continual reliance on outdated methods not only diminishes operational efficiency but also escalates the risks associated with vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption, and driver safety. In an industry where every second and penny counts, falling behind in technology can translate to significant financial losses and reduced competitiveness.
Full Telematics Implementation
It sounds obvious, but planning and preparation really is the only way to achieve a successful and effective telematics integration. To leaders, this phase can be frustrating as there is a lot of time-consuming back and forth which might feel like overkill. However, it’s much better to be detail focused prior to launch rather than end up with issues that need to be fixed on the fly later on.
Every launch is different, but there are some techniques that have been shown to improve outcomes time and again.
Transparent Communication - Change comes with fear, which creates resistance. Telematics partners and organisations should be open about the challenges and benefits of a new system. The goal is to foster a positive outlook where all stakeholders are bought in..
Phased Integration - It’s often possible to phase a rollout, so that the impact isn’t overwhelming and any issues identified. This is also a great opportunity to identify people who can champion the system to the wider company.
Highlighting Benefits - There are tangible advantages of telematics, and that’s true for any stakeholder in the organisation. For example, it’s much easier to motivate and reward drivers using telematics data.
Ensuring Compliance - This is an often overlooked element of a telematics roll-out that can cause headaches. We’re talking about data so there are legal and privacy concerns that should be properly dealt with ahead of launch.
There’s No Better Time
There might be fleets out there that are better off sticking to traditional ways of doing things. Namely, those organisations that are happy to slowly wind down over the next few years. If you're serious about staying competitive and growing as a transport reliant business, you need to be able to leverage data in real-time, stay compliant without spiralling costs, and fully integrate transport into other digital systems.
So, if you don’t have telematics, or your system is suboptimal, the question becomes how to upgrade as soon as possible, without falling foul of the potential risks.
Telematics implementation is complex, which is why we make implementation a major part of the service we provide. The Transpoco Fleet Telematics Implementation Kit is an invaluable free tool and it’s a great place to start if you’re feeling the pressure to achieve operational excellence.
