August 2023 – The transportation industry has seen a significant transformation with the adoption of telematics solutions for commercial vehicle fleets. These advanced systems provide valuable data and insights that can optimize fleet management, improve safety, and increase efficiency. However, not all telematics providers are created equal. When choosing a fleet telematics solution, operators must consider factors such as scalability, expertise, and technology infrastructure to ensure long-term success and growth.
Providers with In-house vs. Outsourced Capabilities
One crucial decision for fleet operators is whether to opt for a provider with in-house or outsourced capabilities, taking into account the hardware, firmware, software, and other factors that go into a complete telematics solution. Having everything in-house offers several advantages, such as rapid response times for fixing or upgrading components, no additional costs or lead times from third parties, and a solution designed to work seamlessly together. Outsourcing certain capabilities, like operational processes and systems or accessing specialized services, may benefit the provider more than the end-user.
Providers that Utilize Cloud vs. On-site Servers
Another critical consideration is whether a telematics provider uses cloud-based or on-site server solutions. Cloud-based telematics systems offer various advantages, including availability in high-usage environments at any time of day, scalability to meet growing demand instantly, and enhanced security. On the contrary, on-site servers may provide certain benefits such as increased control over data, but they may lack the same level of availability, scalability, and security that cloud solutions offer.
Expertise Matters
Fleet operators should also take into account the provider’s expertise. Some companies specialize solely in telematics, while others combine their telematics capabilities with extensive knowledge in the commercial vehicle (CV) industry. Opting for a provider with both commercial vehicle expertise and telematics proficiency can lead to more comprehensive and tailored solutions for the demanding CV industry.
ConMet Digital’s Agile Approach
At ConMet Digital, we take a holistic approach to providing powerful telematics solutions for commercial vehicle fleets. Our fully retrofittable system includes a range of essential features such as real-time GPS asset tracking, wheel end performance monitoring, tire pressure monitoring, brake line pressure monitoring, and axle load monitoring. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, ConMet Digital empowers fleets to enhance utilization, uptime, safety, fuel efficiency, and component life.
ConMet Digital has chosen an in-house approach, building a unified and cohesive team with ownership over firmware, software, hardware, backend, algorithms, and cloud architecture. This efficient setup enables seamless collaboration between departments, allowing for swift action when customer needs arise or industry demands shift. Moreover, the cost-effective in-house development strategy allows for a broad range of solutions that are well organized, very accurate, and offer faster data processing and analysis, resulting in a better-performing telematics system overall.
Leveraging the robust capabilities of Amazon Web Services (AWS), ConMet Digital ensures unparalleled cloud computing performance. Instantaneous scaling ensures the system adapts to meet demand by dynamically distributing processing power across multiple computers, guaranteeing a seamless user experience even during peak usage. Cloud-based services also benefit from immediate security enhancements and automatic upgrades, eliminating the disruptions often associated with on-site server security updates.
Backed by a team of experts in telematics, cloud computing, data science, and more, ConMet Digital offers a comprehensive suite of skills essential for an optimized telematics solution. ConMet’s 60 years of commercial vehicle expertise further strengthens our capabilities, fostering a deep understanding of fleets’ businesses and vehicle components. This synergy enhances the effectiveness of the telematics solution, providing fleets with a truly tailored and future-ready solution.
A Roadmap to Long-term Success for Commercial Vehicle Fleets
Telematics is revolutionizing the commercial vehicle fleet industry, and selecting the right provider is crucial for sustained success. By combining an in-house team, cloud computing capabilities, and extensive commercial vehicle and telematics expertise, ConMet Digital has not only developed an optimized telematics solution but also laid the groundwork for a solution that evolves alongside fleets’ needs. Embracing the power of telematics and choosing a provider who will be a reliable partner well into the future will undoubtedly help fleet operators stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.
by John Connell, Hardware Engineering Manager and Jayden Shutt, Distinguished Cloud Architect
