So, why not change to a better system? Well, it may seem a daunting process as inviting large scale operational change is never a decision to be taken lightly.
Here, we run through 10 things to think about when making the switch to a new telematics system.
1. Contractual Obligations
Most telematics providers lock organisations into long-term contracts. These often come with early termination fees or requisite notice periods. This is the first thing to consider when considering a switch. Depending on the exit fee, it might be worth spending the remaining contract period working with your new provider to ensure a smooth launch. At Transpoco, we believe that if we provide the service you need, you won’t want to switch, which is why we operate on a pay-as-you-go system.
2. Data Compatibility & Transfer
Ensuring that historical data can be blended with ongoing data is by no means a given. Your new provider will need to come up with a solution so that you don’t lose fleet insights. How challenging this is depends largely on what data has been stored and how. So, make sure that your new provider gives a clear strategy on how to map data into their system.
3. Feature Set Comparison
Evaluate whether the new provider offers all the features you rely on and any additional ones that could benefit your operations. Consider if the new system fills any gaps in your current service.
4. Integration Capabilities
What systems, software or processes does the new system need to integrate with? For example, your EPS or CRM. This is a great opportunity to embed telematics more deeply within the organisation’s suite of tools.
5. Service and Support
Evaluate the level of customer service and technical support offered. Responsive, dedicated support can significantly impact the effectiveness of your telematics solution. Conversely, poor support can undermine the effectiveness of a potentially successful system.
6. Training and Onboarding
Check what resources the new provider offers for training your team on the new system. A partly deployed or badly communicated systems launch can be extremely costly and stressful. Having said that, it’s surprisingly common for telematics providers to overlook this essential part of any major transition.
7. Scalability
Today’s solution can easily become tomorrow’s problem. Maybe you don’t need a digital solution for walkaround check now, but what if you hit growth targets? Will the solution support a switch to EVs? These are the questions that must be put to any prospective provider. Their system should be flexible enough to accommodate more vehicles or new functionalities as your needs evolve.
8. Reliability and Uptime
Research the new provider's system reliability and service uptime. Frequent outages or issues can disrupt fleet operations and lead to inefficiencies. This is often best achieved by asking for references or case studies from similar organisations.
9. Cost Structure
Understand the pricing model of the new provider. Look for hidden costs and ensure the pricing structure aligns with your fleet's size and usage to avoid overpaying. Telematics can get complex, and many fall into the trap of paying for features they don’t need, or failing to account for the cost of scaling up.
10. Transition Support
Finally, spend as much time as needed to feel comfortable in the new provider’s ability to manage the transition process. Any company that glosses over this aspect, or makes it seem like it’ll be easy, is either deluded or dishonest! The transition needn’t be painful, but that’s normally only because there’s a solid plan and excellent support in place.
Mitigate Risk and Create Value With Transpoco Switch
Transpoco Switch is a dedicated telematics switching service designed to tackle the potential problems that come from switching telematics providers. At the core of Switch, is the understanding that every setup is different. We look to identify the particular challenges of a business and put in place a switch strategy that mitigates risks and creates value. That might mean that we spend time getting your drivers up to speed, or it might mean that we create custom reports of software integrations.
Essentially, Transpoco Switch will make the process of switching telematics providers as straight forward, so that the value of our system is never lost because of a poorly thought out launch strategy.
