OEM partnerships and telematics are reflecting a need for deeper, more detailed insights that could massively improve the way your fleet operates. While traditional OEM telematics provides basic diagnostics, collaborating with a telematics company can do the heavy lifting of organising and effectively managing richer, more comprehensive information from one platform.
Keep reading this FAQ to dive into the importance of integrated technology and its transformation in fleets today.
OEM telematics is the built-in telematics system that’s been provided by the original manufacturer, so it's fitted into the vehicle as it’s being assembled. It monitors and provides diagnostics on the vehicle, allowing you to get detailed insights on factors like location, performance, and more. Most vehicles now come with OEM telematics.
Telematics systems cost anywhere from about R90 to a few thousand, depending on:
upfront & installation costs
subscription fees & the length of your contract
your fleet size, and
whether you choose to get an aftermarket telematics system.
The disadvantages of telematics are:
data privacy concerns if the information is potentially misused
failing to translate the information properly or not having the right tools to manage and interpret the data, and
not having a consistent cellular connection, which (depending on your platform) might result in you losing some data.
In an OEM partnership, you should look for:
Industry experience, expertise, and qualifications
Proven reliability
Transparency when it comes to fees and pricing structure
Communication, partnership values, and post-sales support
The question of who is the ‘largest’ depends on several factors, especially global impact and number of subscribers. In South Africa, the top telematics companies are considered to be:
Cartrack which has impressive expertise and has over 2.6 million subscribers across 23 countries worldwide
MiX Telematics, which has an impressive global footprint, and
Netstar, which has over 2 million subscribers and recently launched its Global Fleet Bureau.
The ‘best’ telematics company depends on what criteria you may use to define it as ‘the best’. But, from a holistic viewpoint, Cartrack is considered one of the best telematics companies. We’ve got:
an impressive global network
numerous longstanding clients
years of expertise
several future-forward tools and technologies, and
solutions for businesses of every size.
The benefits of telematics are that it:
Brings GPS tracking and vehicle diagnostics together to produce detailed insights
Improves and optimises your business operations
Helps reduce business costs
Improves overall safety and driver habits
Could potentially reduce insurance premiums
Yes, Cartrack’s telematics solution is suited for all industries and companies. No matter the size or sector of your business, our solutions and scalability ensure that we work for you every time. There’s the floating myth that only larger businesses need telematics, but the benefits extend to all.
Cartrack is one of the best partners for OEM solutions because of our API-first approach. Our systems are ready and prepared to integrate with most manufacturers, smoothly connecting and providing detailed & necessary insights. Our features are comprehensive, our platform is scalable, and we have proven experience in the industry.
To become an OEM partner with Cartrack, you should:
Reach out to our team to see how our integration solutions could solve your business needs. You can call or email us and we’ll happily chat with you.
Assess our integration and work closely with our technical team. You’ll likely see that our system will support your fleet and any of its third-party platforms.
The latest trends in telematics will reflect:
A massive growth in automation and AI implementation
Improved cellular connectivity
Stronger data security
A push towards proactive rather than reactive responses
Growth in and accommodation of electric vehicles
