For nearly two decades, telematics data has given fleet managers visibility that helps them fine-tune maintenance, promote safety, and manage their fleets more efficiently by tracking vehicles and assets. Even the most basic fleet tracking software or telematics platform can transform the way a fleet is managed: It can turn a pen-and-paper operation into one that makes decisions based on facts and data instead of intuition. 

But now, fleet software is getting more sophisticated and effective than ever, tying big data models together to transform maintenance, safety, and the value of your existing tech stack — and the fleet performance gains are remarkable. 

What DoBasic Tracking Systems Do?

When we talk about basic tracking systems in the context of vehicle maintenance, safety, and platform integrations, they operate like this:

• Maintenance: Maintenance is tracked manually, which is error-prone and time-consuming. Basic systems require you to contact drivers and schedule service, which is also time-consuming and can lead to extending the time between services or missing them all together.
• Video: Fleet managers and safety officers can view footage of operators driving their vehicle to provide fact-based coaching, but this requires many hours of sifting through the footage for the teachable moments. 
• Integrations: Basic systems house important location information for fleet vehicles and assets, but they can’t share data with other platforms, which limits their value.

What Does Next-Generation Fleet Technology Do?

The latest fleet technology advancements are offering more value than ever before. 

• Maintenance: The latest fleet software helps fleets transition from reactive to proactive fleet maintenance through automated maintenance and repair scheduling. Fleet managers can also “talk” to AI-integrated platforms to get answers to their maintenance questions and automatically receive insights about vehicle health.

“Proactive maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, reducing costly downtime, extending vehicle longevity, and lowering maintenance, repair, and labor costs,” said Clara Severino, Senior Director of Product Management for AIoT SaaS provider Powerfleet.

• Video: The next wave of video telematics upgrades every aspect of the current technology, with 360° visibility around the vehicle, a summary of insights from video footage, and real-time safety prompts via in-cab coaching. 

“Our platform does the work for our customers, giving them a quick way to determine who the high-risk drivers are, what unsafe behaviors they exhibit, and what coaching sessions should focus on,” said Jessica Dives, Director of Sales for Powerfleet. “We also help identify trends across their driver base and dissect that information in different ways, like driver location, vehicle type, and more, for even better insights.” 

• Integrations: Integrations give fleets the power to eliminate data siloes, unify data, and see what’s happening in their operation from an all-in-one dashboard. Fleets can both integrate various sources of fleet data or connect with other systems to gain better insights and amplify the value of both systems.

“Even in the best of cases, most fleets are dealing with multiple software vendors, and these systems aren't communicating with each other,” Severino said. “The value that Powerfleet brings is tying them together, whether it's data in or data out. You don’t have to replace your existing software — you just have to unite it with your telematics data.”

Why Upgrade Your Fleet Tech?

Fleet technology upgrades are undoubtedly an investment, but updated technology can offer a much higher return. Let’s compare basic tracking systems with Powerfleet’s next-generation fleet technology. Powerfleet is at the forefront of fleet software advancements, offering automated maintenance, advanced AI-powered video telematics, and powerful software integrations.

Don’t Forget: Your Network Matters, Too

In addition to leveraging the latest fleet software, it’s also important to be sure your vehicles and assets are connected to a reliable cellular network. Powerfleet pairs its AI-powered platform with the AT&T cellular network, which covers more roads than any other carrier. 

Ready to get more value from your fleet technology? 

Discover how Powerfleet’s AI-powered Unity platform delivers seamless integration, real-time intelligence, and measurable business impact. To learn more, visit att.com/Powerfleet

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This article reflects the views of AT&T and does not necessarily represent the views of Work Truck or Bobit Business Media.