The telematics solutions providers included in the comparison matrix chart provided several questions that fleet managers should think about adding to their list of questions when researching telematics solutions. Take a look at this list below – if you are not currently asking some or all of these, it might be time!
- What have been your recent upgrades to the system and what does the road map look like?
- What are the best practices/mistakes that your other customers have made in rolling out the solution?
- How can I control access to vehicles and features for different functions in our organization?
- Give me a specific example of how the system scales for my size of fleet?
- How do reports differ in looks for an executive vs. a supervisor vs. a driver?
- What are the provider company financials? Do they reflect growth and stability?
- Can I speak with any references either in my area that operate my fleet type, etc. that I can speak with that already use this system?
- Can you provide any input on policy creation/enforcement?
- What are all of the available solutions (even if you don’t need them now, it’s good to think ahead to what you might need down the road).
- Will the solution help me manage my fleets’ vehicle utilization to its fullest?
- Does the solution simply track my vehicles, or does it help me manage them?
- How customizable is the solution?
- Does the provider have direct ties with fleet management companies, in particular, mine? Or any other management company, safety, or maintenance services provider?
- How will the provider expand with my fleet over the years?
When researching telematics vendors, fleet managers should ensure that the solution meets all of their needs. Our experts provided a list of items to be sure you look for before making any decision:
- The solution should provide the information you need in an easy-to-find format.
- Ensure that you are able to capture and measure the benchmarks important to your fleet.
- As fleet needs, sizes, and make-ups change, ensure that the solution will grow with your fleet.
- Research all providers in depth. Check out their reputation from other fleets.
- Look at the full total cost of ownership of the solution. Reviewing both up-front and lifetime costs ensure that you aren’t surprised down the line. However, remember that cost is not necessarily everything with a telematics solution. Some solutions may come with a higher cost, but reap larger financial benefits.
- Take the time to engage with multiple providers before making a decision.
- Review how involved you, as a fleet manager, want to be with the program. Do you need a solution that lets you be completely hands on, or do you need to simply be able to review reports?
- Do not assume that all products are created equal.
You can view a PDF of the comparison chart here.
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