On September 12th, Geotab Africa hosted its advanced telematics conference at Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg. The conference, centred around the theme “Beyond Telematics,” aimed at bringing together our resellers, customers and integrated partners and sharing innovations and best practices related to the connected fleet ecosystem and exploring the future of telematics.
In this regard, the advanced telematics conference kept its commitment as participants left with new ideas and strategies for current and future fleet management initiatives, which were acquired in the keynote talks and breakaway sessions where our industry experts and thought leaders held in-depth discussions and provided significant takeaways and practical learning.
Some of the featured speakers included:
- Colin Sutherland – Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Geotab
- Mike Branch – Vice President, Data & Analytics, Geotab
- Sabina Martin – Solutions Engineer, Team Lead, Geotab
- Melao Mashale – IoT Specialist and Thought Leader
- Steve Bure – Managing Director, Trojan Telematics
- Vishnu Perumalsamy – Managing Director, Geotab Africa
With that said, here are the conference’s eight most important takeaways.
1. Geotab is a Data Company
Connected devices are proliferating, transmitting large amounts of data they gather back for the purpose of analysis. At Geotab Africa, the goal is to utilize this data to learn more about trends and patterns that can be utilized to make a positive impact on your fleet, drivers, and organisations.
2. Big Data and Open Platform Systems
Big data is power. Fortunately, with today’s technological innovations, it is becoming much simpler to obtain real-time information on your fleet and driver effectiveness. However, the data itself does not generate these objectives, but rather its solutions that result from examining it and finding the answers you need. This can be achieved with Geotab’s open platform system, which has the capacity to expand and integrate with other technologies to provide fleets with an all-inclusive strategy to make informed decisions leading to increased return on investments.
3. Predictive Diagnostics is the Future of Telematics
A key phrase at the conference was “Predictive diagnostics.” Predictive diagnostics is all about using systems and vehicle knowledge in conjunction with old and new vehicle algorithms to predict future vehicle breakdowns. Thus, in a world of full uncertainty, having a telematics system capable of predicting will be essential for fleets to use in many areas of the organization to enable them to make informed and better decisions.
4. The World is Moving to EV
With smart cities, smart buildings and smart cars slowly taking shape around the globe, fleets and telematics companies need to prepare for a current and future reality dominated by electric vehicles and driverless cars. Geotab’s Senior Solutions Specialist Harold Horn detailed factors driving Europe’s growing popularity of EVs, including efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, state or city incentives for electric vehicles, and exemptions from purchase, registration, and ownership taxes.
5. Video Telematics Offers New Insights
There are numerous reasons why fleets should use a fleet tracking system with an integrated camera. According to Steve Bure, Managing Director of Trojan Telematics, they include: detailed insights into how drivers behave on the road, clear evidence for resolving accident disputes, and proof of dangerous behaviour.
6. AI will Play A Major Role in Transforming Telematics
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly picking up pace in the telematics space. According to Geotab’s Vice President of Data and Analytics Mike Branch, it will play a major role in transforming the industry landscape, revolutionizing every aspect of fleet management – from navigation and routes to security and safety. AI will also change the way in which telematics providers identify risks, cut costs, and create value for fleets to achieve operational efficiency, meet maintenance requirements, ensure safety, and reduce costs.
7. Telematics is Not Nice to Have, But A Must Have
We are living in a time of great change in which all companies need to collect data on profit, loss, ROI and other key metrics to ensure that their business remains stable and profitable. That is the same with the transport industry. Therefore, for fleets to succeed, they need telematics systems to provide in-depth vehicle data to help lower costs, monitor fleet and driver behaviour, and drive growth.
8. Last Mile Delivery for Better Delivery Experience
Global online sales are increasing rapidly and there are no indications that they will slow down. All of this is due to advances in technology, logistics, and increased internet and mobile access with growing customer demand for convenience. Research conducted by Statista shows an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide purchase goods online in 2018. Furthermore, Global e-retail sales amounted to US$ 2.8 trillion over the same year, with predictions showing growth of up to US$ 4.8 trillion by 2021. But with the growth of internet sales, it has led to a demand for better delivery experience. Therefore, delivery companies need sophisticated technology to carry out a seamless last mile delivery.
Author: The Geotab Africa Team
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