The word Telematics is a combination of two
words. “Tele,” a Greek word that means “at a
distance.” At the same time, the word matics is short for informatics, which
means information. Telematics is a discipline incorporating the practice of
information processing.

Telematics
is the technology used to monitor a wide range of information relating to an
individual vehicle or an entire fleet.

However, there is a lot more to know about
telematics and telematics devices. We have explained everything in detail in
the below section of the article. If you are interested to know about fleet management telematics, then keep
on reading.

1. What are telematics devices?

Telematics devices are unique instruments or
trackers in simple words. Different insurance companies provide these
instruments to their customers who install them in their cars. These devices
feature built-in GNSS receivers that collect data from multiple GNSS satellites
for position calculation.

Apart from that, they also collected different
information from the vehicle using the inertial navigation sensor. Telematics
devices collect information about the host vehicle’s speed, altitude, total
distance traveled, and position.

Just as we mentioned earlier, these devices
use multiple sensors for the collection of data. It was just a basic intro to
telematics devices. Let’s take a look at how these devices work.

2. How does telematics work?

Fleet management telematics devices consist of
multiple sensors. Each sensor collects different types of information. This
information is then processed for final decisions. Here is how these devices
work.

GNSS/GPS Sensor

Each fleet management telematics device
consists of an accurate GNSS or GPS sensor. The word GPS is used because people
are familiar with it; however, there are multiple systems just like GPS.

The GNSS sensor of a telematics device
collects feed from multiple GNSS satellites orbiting the earth in Medium earth
orbit. At least four satellites are required for position and time calculation.
Satellites send their signal, which passes through several layers of the
atmosphere and reaches the telematics devices.

The receiver uses the signal to calculate the satellite’s position and uses that position information to calculate the car’s position.
Usually, the higher the number of visible satellites, the better the receiver’s positioning ability.

Inertial Sensor

Apart from a working GPS/GNSS sensor, fleet
management telematics devices also possess another type of sensor. It is
commonly known as the inertial sensor or the IMU. This sensor consists of two
sub-parts, i.e., the Gyroscope and the accelerometer.

The Gyro sensor of the IMU collects the host
vehicle’s attitude information such as roll, yaw, and pitch angle. It is a
rotating unit that points in a fixed direction and is mounted on the host with
Gimbal’s help.

When the host vehicle takes a turn, the gimbal
rotates with the host vehicle, but the gyro continues to point in its initial
direction. An angle is created between the gyro and the vehicle’s approach,
which gives information about the vehicle’s attitude.

For ground vehicles, a 2D gyro is sufficient
because there is no pitch angle. However, for aerial vehicles, the pitch angle
is also involved due to which a 3D gyro is used. The IMU sensor collects this
information.

However, for acceleration, velocity, and
position information, the IMU sensors are equipped with accelerometers. These
accelerometers are quite sensitive and collect even the slightest acceleration
of the vehicle.

Using the above-mentioned sensors, fleet
management telematics devices collect information about the host vehicle. This
information is then used by the agency for different applications.

3. Differences between fleet
management and telematics

Since both fleet management and telematics are
a bit similar, therefore, most people confuse them as one system. However,
there is a significant difference between fleet management and telematics.

Let’s take a closer look at both systems and
see how they are different from each other.

Fleet management systems are usually software
that know all the information about the vehicle’s specifications. Apart from
that, it stores the vehicle’s documents securely. Moreover, fleet management
also keeps a record of the maintenance and parts history.

In addition to this, transaction reporting
such as fuel receipts and repair invoices are also some of the main
responsibilities of fleet management.

However, telematics devices work completely
differently from fleet management.

They provide information about the vehicle’s
true location, speed of the vehicle, and attitude information. Apart from that,
telematics devices also give alerts when the vehicle escapes from a virtually
fenced location (geofencing).

It also provides information about the
vehicle’s trip history along with the fuel economy. It can help calculating the
most economical route for the user.

4. How would telematics help a
fleet owner?

Telematics can help the fleet owner in many
ways. They capture important information about the operation on the road. Driver
behavior and safety along with the health of the vehicle.

Telematics also allows businesses to increase
their operational efficiency by radically improving their visibility into their
operations.

Since these devices are providing real-time
data, therefore, businesses can uncover new ways to save money and time. They
can also help to improvise customer service by using updated information about
the fleet movement.

5. How to Choose Fleet Telematics
Providers?

While choosing a fleet telematics provider you
need to ensure the following points. Keeping these points in your mind will
help you select the best fleet telematics providers in no time.

GPS Tracking Systems

The first and the most important thing to keep
in mind while selecting a telematics tracking system is GPS tracking. You need
to ensure that the company is providing real-time tracking with the help of
different GNSS.

GNSS provides information about the vehicle’s
exact location. It also provides route history about the host vehicle along
with real-time economical route calculation. With GPS/GNSS companies can make
virtual fences and get alerts if the vehicle escapes the fenced location.

DOT Compliance

Another important thing to consider while
selecting a fleet telematics provider is DOT compliance. It helps create and
manage the driver’s inspection report. Due to the DVIR, you can know if the
driver has completed the commercial motor vehicle inspection.

Video

Fleet telematics providers also provide
commercial video equipment to the fleet owners. These tools provide better
viewing angles to the drivers which aid them during their movements.

Apart from that they provide information about
the sides and rear of the vehicles which prove helpful in minimizing accidents.

6.Final Words

Reliable navigation, positioning and timing
solutions are quite critical nowadays. Especially for fleet owners it can be a
real game changer. It is because with the help of these fleet telematics
services you can keep an eye on your fleet and individual vehicles anytime and
anywhere.

Selecting the right fleet telematics service
provider is quite crucial but you shouldn’t worry at all. Because we, Jimi IoT , provide efficient
solutions to all of our customers.

Our company has been manufacturing GNSS/GPS
based products for the past 20 years. We provide the best value to our
customers through our high-end Navigation and positioning solutions. Our
receivers have the highest possible accuracy and better positioning abilities.
.

You can contact us at info@jimiiot.com.