What are Vehicle Telematics & Vehicle Tracking?
UK Telematics Online provides users of Vehicle Telematics and Vehicle Tracking with an independent source of free information, tips & advice to assist buying decisions and better implement vehicle tracking and telematics solutions. UK Telematics Online provides visitors with information on various aspects of vehicle telematics including; GPS real time vehicle tracking, trailer tracking, GPS satellite navigation and mobile data. Every few years a new technology appears that changes forever the way people communicate and do business with each other. GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems have been spawned from the evolution of personal computers, mobile phones, the GPS Global Positioning System and the Internet. These all converged to form a new technology; vehicle telematics. The more general topic of telematics can cover many areas.The focus of this website is with vehicle telematics, which can be defined as; “The use of computers and telecommunications to enhance the functionality, productivity and security of both vehicles and drivers.”A prominent part of many vehicle telematics solutions is Vehicle Tracking. Typical vehicle tracking systems are comprised of two core parts; location hardware (or tracking device) and vehicle tracking software. The tracking device is most often hardwire installed in the vehicle; connected to the ignition switch, battery and antennae. The typical tracking hardware for a fleet management solution uses GPS to pinpoint its location and then updates are transmitted (often in the UK by GPRS) at a regular timed interval or after an event trigger, e.g. ignition on / off. The location data is made available for viewing more often than not with many of the solutions sold today, via a website, accessed over the internet, where fleet activity can be viewed live or historically using digital maps and reports. Vehicle Tracking Systems are often configured to transmit location and input data at a set update rate or when an event triggers the unit to transmit data. Live Vehicle Tracking generally refers to systems which update regularly at 1 minute, 2 minute or 5 minute intervals, whilst the ignition status is on. Telematics Service Providers have also been keen to show that Telematics is more than just vehicle tracking; with the advent of combined two way messaging and satellite navigation products, fleet managers can now choose to do more than simply locate a vehicle or group of vehicles. In addition, using so called Connected Navigation solutions, fleet managers and job dispatchers can track, locate, then transmit and receive job messages to and from drivers, while enabling the driver to calculate the journey route and automatically send back the time of arrival to the office. This can lead to more jobs completed per day, reduced journey times, fuel savings and improved customer satisfaction.When used in a commercial environment vehicle telematics can be a powerful and valuable tool to improve the efficiency of an organisation. The fleet activity can be analysed and decisions taken based upon actual information, not guesswork. Key Performance Indicators including, journey times, fuel economy and drivers hours, can be improved. The challenge is finding the right tracking and telematics solution and then using the information it provides to ensure the maximum benefit is returned against investment. Other terms used in relation to vehicle telematics might also include, fleet management, GPS vehicle tracking, GPS tracking, GPS tracker, fleet telematics and satellite tracking or satellite tracker. All of these terms generally relate to the content found on UK Telematics Online. As vehicle telematics technology has developed and it’s use becomes more widespread, an ever increasing number and variety of vehicle tracking systems are available to small business users. Understanding the technology behind these products and knowing what benefits they can deliver, while being wary of some of the potential pitfalls will save money an aid implementation.
Vehicle Tracking- Vehicle tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and/or status of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles, through the use of a vehicle tracking device, typically equipped with a GPS Locator and GPRS modem, which is fitted in the vehicle. Tracking software is then used to view the data, available as a PC or Web based mapping and reporting application.
Trailer Tracking- Trailer Tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and position of an articulated vehicle’s trailer unit, through the use of a location unit fitted to the trailer and a method of returning the position data via mobile communication network or geostationary satellite communications, for use though either PC or Web based software.
Fuel Saving Telematics- The typical car, commercial vehicle or Heavy Goods Vehicle built in recent years, now comes equipped as standard with on board engine diagnostics. This information can be accessed via after market products which capture data directly from the vehicles’ communications network. This communications network (CANbus) passes information around the vehicle connecting all the elements of the vehicle; engine performance, fuel usage, diagnostics etc., various elements of which can be captured and then transmitted off board the vehicle to be analysed by the user. Being able to show the driver that they are over revving, not using cruise control enough, driving to fast, not being efficient in their use of gears etc., can lead to improved fuel economy and reduced vehicle emissions. In addition to driving performance monitoring, providers are beginning to offer ECU remapping to optimise the performance of the vehicle. When combined with ability to monitor vehicle performance and driver behaviour, ECU remapping is promoted as leading to fuel economy savings of up to 10%.
GPS Satellite Navigation- GPS Satellite Navigation technology uses a GPS and electronic mapping tool to enable the user to locate a position, then route plan and navigate a journey.
Mobile Data- The use of wireless data communications using radio waves to send and receive real time computer data to, from and between devices used by field based personnel.
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