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TELEMATICS: An original approach
Date: Friday, March 6, 2020 | Author: Sean Keywood
Trakm8 says it offers benefits OEM systems can’t
(Continued from page 1) Other van manufacturers now providing their own telematics systems include Renault, which offers the Easy Connect for Fleet product.
This sees a vehicle-fitted telematics unit send out data including mileage, range, location, fuel consumption, tyre pressure, technical alerts and information on when the next service is due. This data can be sent to third-party systems, or to a system developed by Renault’s RCI Bank and Services subsidiary.
Sister brand Renault Trucks has also entered the telematics game with its Vantelligence system. This is available in two modules: Vantelligence Control for vehicle tracking and mapping, and the more integrated Vantelligence Optimum Control, which monitors vehicle and driver performance using 20 driving-style parameters, including idling time, over-revving and harsh braking.
The system can also integrate with existing onboard weight, temperature and camera systems.
Another joint truck and van company offering telematics is Iveco. Its latest Daily launched last year with the MyDaily portal, allowing owners to monitor their vehicle from a desktop or mobile device.
It offers performance, fuel consumption and driving-style analysis, and sends regular reports advising on more fuel-efficient driving, as well as helping to plan servicing.
In addition, Iveco offers a fleet management system in partnership with third-party supplier Verizon Connect, with features including advanced engine diagnostics and near real-time mileage reporting.
While there are plenty of van manufacturers entering the telematics space, third-party providers aren’t going away. Sean Morris, insurance and automotive director for Trakm8, says its products offer a number of benefits over OEM systems: “For example, if you have more than one vehicle in your fleet, Trakm8’s system can give a user a single view of that fleet in a common language, regardless of the brand.
“More importantly, Trakm8’s solutions have been developed over many years in conjunction with the vehicle owners themselves and are therefore tailored to their requirements.
“The OEMs have little, if any, experience of talking to fleet owners/drivers about what they need from telematics to meet the requirements of their individual business.”
In addition, Morris points out that many vans are customised to suit a specific business, and may require separate sensors fitting, such as to monitor temperature of the storage area for food deliveries.
He says: “Trakm8’s solution(s) can have extra sensors connected to report their status, which OEMs currently do not do.”
When asked if Trakm8 has concerns about van manufacturers encroaching on the market, Morris says: “Trakm8’s system can ingest data directly from the OEM-fitted devices so we can still report the data to our customers via a single user interface regardless of the source of the data.
“Whilst OEMs are installing telematics on some models, the data is expensive and limited to the data set the OEM wants to share.
“Trakm8’s Connectedcare has been designed to deliver the data our customers want and need to keep their vehicles on the road. For example, through deep CANbus connectivity, customers can gain remote access to readings directly from the dashboard or instrument cluster.
“These include diagnostic trouble codes and dashboard warning lights from cars, light commercial vehicles and plant equipment via easy-to-use web portals and mobile apps.”
Morris adds that Trakm8 products are also fitted in mainstream OEM dealerships through various schemes.
One area that OEM telematics systems are yet to move into is on-board cameras, which could put third-party firms that supply these systems at a continuing advantage.
Paul Singh, CEO of camera telematics firm SmartWitness, says: “The mountain of compliance legislation and safety rules that manufacturers have to go through with cameras has been the main reason why there hasn’t been a single OEM camera system so far.
“Also, these compliance rules tend to change fairly often or get updated, so even if cameras were pre-fitted they may need to be replaced to meet new safety standards, and that’s going to be too much hassle for a lot of vehicle manufacturers.
“Clearly, we would be concerned if a big manufacturer announced an OEM [system] across all their ranges but we feel it’s unlikely because cameras aren’t a one-solution-fits-all product. It’s a very bespoke offering and every fleet has different needs.”
SmartWitness CP2 camera with in-cab camera
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