Telematics is the technology behind all haulage jobs. Covering telecommunications, road transportation, road safety, vehicle technology and more, we all come into contact with this tool almost every day. However, to many of those carrying out haulage jobs, the whole thing is a little mysterious.
Recently, fleet, finance and business managers across the country were surveyed on the tricky topic of telematics, allowing us to uncover once and for all why this tool is so beneficial to the logistics industry.
1.Cost-Effective
Many people falsely believe that telematics is not worth the expense, and 44% of those surveyed admitted that they decided not to use it because they wanted to save money. However, those who do invest in their fleets soon realise that there are long-term savings to be made. The software that aids Account Management helps reduce fuel usage on haulage jobs, significantly decreasing your outgoings.
2.Improves Performance
Most managers who participated in the survey agreed that problematic driving was improved by the use of telematics. A quarter of those who were surveyed said that they had issues with performance before using the technology, including wasteful fuel usage and inefficient routes. As the tool helps users monitor haulage jobs on the roads, fleet managers can keep an eye on driver performance at all times. Not only are you likely to save money, but with improved employee behaviour behind the wheel, your clients will be happier, too!
3.Appreciated by Drivers
Employees often dislike being placed under excessive surveillance, which is why many employers are wary of creating unnecessary tension between members of their team. Constant monitoring could be seen as prompted by a lack of trust. However, only 5% of those asked said that the use of telematics had generated negative feedback from their drivers. The best course of action is to inform your drivers that you will be installing the software and let them know exactly what will be measured. This will motivate them to improve their performance without creating the impression that they are being spied on without permission. 90% of industry leaders took this course of action.
4.Gives Peace of Mind
Although telematics has many uses in the haulage industry, such as increasing fuel efficiency, many people who were surveyed said that the feature that they appreciated most was the ability to track haulage jobs in real time. This data helps provide accurate and timely updates to clients and gives fleet managers peace of mind, knowing that all of their loads are safe and sound and will arrive on time. The real-time data enables you to respond to incidents, from late deliveries to accidents on the road, as soon as possible, minimising the impact on your customers and on your business.
Perhaps it is time to give telematics another chance. With so many potential benefits, it is worth investing in your business!
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage jobs with available drivers. Over 5,000 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.
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