INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
CONTRIBUTORS
data and a customer’s third-party or inhouse
applications.
This means that the customer can
then select and filter data according
to their relevant criteria and then that
custom-filtered data is relayed to their
choice of applications to use in their own
environment.
BEHAVIOUR ALTERATIONS
Various telematics solutions offer a range
of safety features to improve behaviour,
including real-time safety alerts that allow
drivers to correct actions whilst driving.
Driving event-alerts give fleet managers
insight into driver performance, allowing
them to proactively manage their drivers’
conduct on the road, resulting in fewer
accidents and fines.
Identifying and correcting poor driver
behaviour is the first step to reducing a
fleet’s risk, proactively increasing safety
and reducing costs including fuel,
maintenance, and accident-related costs.
Fleet camera solutions, such as those
supplied by MiX Telematics are managed
by a team of professional video analysts
who review triggered video footage to
check how drivers are behaving on the
road and to see whether the cameras
are fully functional and not obstructed or
tampered with.
Training elements can immediately
be identified and corrected such as
speeding, harsh braking and even
excessive idling. This coaching and
subsequent compliance or best practice
will positively impact on fleet productivity
and safety, but further contribute to the
customer’s ‘image’ in the market related
to business professionalism.
DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE OF
TELEMATICS
Telematics data has, from the past,
culminated into an online business
intelligence platform. Telematics
technology is improving the connectivity to
people, organisations and processes. It also
enables fleet operators to connect with
drivers and gather various data, no matter
where their vehicles are on the map.
Telematics systems
have also developed
to allow logistics
companies to
dispatch loads and
provide accurate
estimated time of
arrival (ETA) alerts
to customers
without any human
intervention.
Telematics has developed to allow
businesses to use big data to spot trends
and draw conclusions about asset
utilisation, resulting in data-driver insights
to save a very valuable commodity –
time. MiX Telematics Africa has recently
introduced an online business intelligence
solution, which is designed to help fleet
managers identify exactly what areas to
focus on and which changes to make for
immediate improvement.
Live video streaming allows for the monitoring of journey context.
Fleet camera systems have also
advanced in recent years with the advent
of live video streaming that allows for the
monitoring of journey context in order
to check on driver risk, and understand
what possible traffic or road hazards
the driver may be facing. It also gives
the viewer access to monitor loading or
unloading of valuable cargo items, as well
as witness possible damages that may
occur during the process allowing a line of
accountability.
Modern telematics systems are evolving
from simply a vehicle tracking tool to
becoming a business management
platform. For example, telematics systems
materials handling equipment allowing
construction companies to invoice
customers based on equipment usage per
job site.
Telematics systems have also
developed to allow logistics companies
to dispatch loads and provide accurate
estimated time of arrival (ETA) alerts to
customers without any human intervention,
further increasing all role players’ options in
creating optimal efficiency.
In the future, telematics will shift even
more to become a complete business
management platform as the rich data
it provides will increasingly be integrated
into other software solutions and broader
in other industries track the usage of
business operations. CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2020 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 37