How can telematics help your Latam fleet? 10 expert tips

The usage of telematics has been at the forefront of finding safer and more efficient ways of vehicle fleet management for some time, and with the demands of today’s ever-changing world, it looks like this innovative solution will be with us for a while.

Following a brief chat with some of the leading experts in Latin America, here is a list featuring 10 tips fleet managers in the region can use to capitalize on telematics in 2021 and beyond.

• First of all, telematics can provide in-vehicle driver coaching which can warn when signs of distraction or fatigue are apparent. Through smartphone sensors, risky driving behavior such as abrupt acceleration and breaking, harsh cornering and speeding can also be monitored.

• Deciding on whether or not to evolve to an electrified fleet could be a challenge.  Using telematics can help ease this by determining which vehicles should be electrified based on TCO analysis and then informing you as to which are the best electric vehicle routes to take.

• Latin America faces more than 115,000 road fatalities a year. To assure the safety and lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians, useful tools include real-time car accident alerts and speed limit buzzers which emit a noise until drivers return below the maximum speed stipulated.

• This technology can also be used to support shared fleet operations, including features to boost cost effectiveness and efficiency such as remote access and mobile app-based keyless entry. 

• Another way that telematics can help fleet managers tackle the challenges of 2021 is by creating tailor-made routing logistics for last-mile delivery, a trend that many businesses have been evolving toward recently.  
   
• By using telematics and its IoT approach toward marketplace connected solutions, among the new tools today are cold chain sensors to monitor the temperature of refrigerated goods as well as supporting technologies such as video monitoring and asset trackers.

• Moreover, by using driver sample data, drivers’ propensity to be in a collision can be predicted. Thereafter, a safe driving score can then be tabulated for each driver.

• Make sure to take advantage of real time data, insight which can be used for insurance integration, electric vehicle recharging management, and others.

• This technology can be used to support the rollout of digital test drives which could last hours or even days, especially when seeking to push the alternative of electric vehicles.

• Last but not least, telematics can provide crucial support for the deployment of an array of alternative mobility solutions. Among them are pay per use, peer to peer, car-pooling, and subscription models.

Hats off to the experts who supported the creation of this list!

From left to right below:
Carlos Castillo (Global VP for Marketplace Ecosystem) Geotab
Fabio Acorci (Commerical Director) Ituran Brazil
Jad Tabet (Head of International Sales) Targa Telematics
Ed Dubens (Founder and CEO) eDriving

Besides the aforementioned companies, among the firms developing telematics solutions or teaming up with them in Latin America are CalAmp, CEABS Serviços, CEPA Safe Drive, Galooli OTO, Golsat, MiX Telematics, Pointer, Sascar, Telatrac Navman, Trimble, Webfleet Solutions, and the many car rental and leasing companies throughout the region.

Find out more about these and other companies in the Global Fleet Directory, a collection of global, regional, and local fleet and mobility suppliers at your fingertips.