Leveraging Telematics for Better Decision Making

Telematics has fundamentally reshaped how companies operate and make decisions. Traditionally viewed through the lens of compliance and operational necessity, particularly in sectors like transportation and logistics, this technology has now transcended its original confines. This shift from a tool for meeting regulatory requirements to a strategic asset underscores a significant evolution in business thinking and practice.

Combining telecommunications and informatics, telematics offers real-time insights into vehicle and asset performance. Its roots can be traced back to simple tracking and monitoring for fleet management, ensuring adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance. However, its potential extends far beyond these initial applications. It has grown into a rich source of data and analytics, offering deep insights into various aspects of business operations.

The transformation from compliance-focused to strategy-centric telematics is driven by the growing recognition of data as a critical business asset. In this new paradigm, data is no longer just about tracking locations or monitoring fuel usage; it’s about harnessing information to make smarter, more informed decisions. Businesses are now leveraging this technology to optimize routes, enhance customer service, reduce operational costs, and even drive innovation in products and services.

This strategic shift is not just a technological change but a cultural one. It demands a new mindset where data is integral to every decision and process. Telematics has become a cornerstone in the digital transformation journey of many businesses, paving the way for enhanced efficiency, improved sustainability, and a competitive edge in a data-driven world.

In this article, we will explore the multifaceted role of telematics in modern business, examine how it has evolved from a compliance tool to a strategic asset, and discuss how companies can leverage this technology to make better decisions and thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

Understanding Telematics

Telematics refers to the technology of sending, receiving, and storing information relating to remote objects, like vehicles, via telecommunication devices. It’s a multidisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering, and computer science. A typical system consists of several key components:

  • Hardware: This includes GPS devices, onboard diagnostics (OBD) ports, and sensors installed in vehicles to collect data on their location, movement, status, and behavior.
  • Telecommunications Network: Data collected by the hardware is transmitted via cellular or satellite networks to a central server for processing.
  • Software: This is the user interface, often a web-based platform or mobile application, where the data is aggregated, analyzed, and presented in a user-friendly format for decision-making.
  • Data Analytics: Advanced algorithms and analytics tools process the raw data to extract actionable insights, trends, and patterns.

Historically, the primary use of telematics was for compliance and regulatory purposes, especially in fleet management and transportation. The genesis of the technology in this sector can be linked to several key factors:

  • Fleet Management: Initially, telematics systems were used to track the location and movement of vehicles, ensuring efficient routing and scheduling. This was particularly important for logistics and delivery companies aiming to optimize their operations.
  • Safety Regulations: With the increasing emphasis on road safety, telematics became instrumental in monitoring driver behavior and vehicle performance. This included tracking speed, driving patterns, and rest periods to comply with safety standards and labor regulations.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Governments and regulatory bodies started mandating the use of telematics devices for certain types of vehicles, particularly commercial fleets. This was done to enforce laws related to emissions, working hours, and maintenance schedules.
  • Insurance Purposes: Telematics also found early applications in the insurance industry, primarily for usage-based insurance models where premiums are based on driving behavior and mileage.

This compliance-focused era of telematics laid the foundation for its broader applications. It demonstrated the potential of real-time data in managing fleet operations and adhering to regulatory requirements. However, as technology advanced and businesses began to recognize the value of data, telematics started to evolve. Companies realized that the data collected could be used not just for compliance but for strategic decision-making, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the use of telematics in business.

The Evolution of Telematics in Business

The journey of telematics from a compliance-focused utility to a strategic business tool is a narrative of technological advancement and evolving business perspectives. This transformation has been fueled by several factors:

  • Technological Advancements: The exponential growth in IoT (Internet of Things) capabilities, improved GPS accuracy, and advancements in data analytics have significantly enhanced the capabilities of telematics systems.
  • Data-Driven Culture: There has been a paradigm shift towards data-driven decision-making in businesses. Telematics provides a wealth of data that can be used for strategic insights, well beyond compliance.
  • Competitive Edge: In an increasingly competitive market, businesses are seeking new ways to gain an edge. Telematics offers a way to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Integration with Business Systems: Modern telematics systems easily integrate with other business software (like ERP systems), allowing for seamless data flow and holistic management.
  • Customization and Scalability: These solutions have become more customizable and scalable, fitting into diverse business models and sizes.

Case Studies: Leveraging Telematics Beyond Compliance

Telematics technology has rapidly evolved from a compliance tool to a strategic asset in various business sectors. Here are some real-life case studies demonstrating how different industries have successfully leveraged this solution beyond mere compliance:

  • Carey Worldwide Chauffeur Services:
    • Challenge: Carey Worldwide Chauffeur Services needed to manage transportation risks while maintaining high-quality, safe customer service.
    • Solution: The organization implemented a telematics solution to measure over-revving, excessive idling, harsh braking, over-speeding, and harsh acceleration. Weekly driver scoring reports and efficiency workshops were also introduced to improve safety culture.
    • Outcome: The percentage of drivers who maintained good driving behavior (‘green zone’) rose from 18% to 50% in a 12-month period. This led to a reduction in accidents and improved the overall incident rate​​.
  • Archrock:
    • Challenge: As a leading natural gas compression service provider in the US, Archrock aimed to achieve zero incidents, accidents, injuries, and environmental incidents.
    • Solution: A telematics solution helped stakeholders monitor and curb unsafe driving behaviors and to assist in increasing ELD and safety regulation compliance.
    • Outcome: The company experienced a noticeable double-digit increase in monthly and annual fuel economy and strengthened their commitment to safety through driver behavior monitoring​​.
  • British American Tobacco (BAT):
    • Challenge: BAT focused on creating safer fleets and improving the company’s sustainability.
    • Solution: A fleet management tool helped the organization leverage telematics to access vehicle and driver data, which could then be organized into reports.
    • Outcome: The company reduced speeding incidents, harsh braking events by 40%, and harsh acceleration events by 18%. They also lowered their insurance premium costs by 8%​​.
  • Total Marketing and Services:
    • Challenge: Enhancing safety in the downstream sector of the Oil and Gas industry.
    • Solution: A telematics solution was implemented with specific time-saving add-ons to monitor driving hours and behavior.
    • Outcome: The company saw a 17.54% reduction in severe braking and harsh acceleration events, and an 88.89% reduction in over-speeding​​.

These case studies demonstrate the diverse and impactful ways in which telematics is being utilized far beyond its initial compliance-focused applications, significantly contributing to operational efficiencies, safety, and strategic decision-making across various industries.

Strategic Advantages of Telematics

Telematics impacts various aspects of business operations. From improved decision-making enabled by real-time data to significant cost savings, this technology stands as a powerful tool in the modern business arsenal, driving efficiency, productivity, and overall business success.

Improved Decision-Making Through Real-Time Data

  • Enhanced Situational Awareness: Real-time data from telematics provides businesses with an up-to-the-minute understanding of their operations, whether it’s the location of vehicles, the status of deliveries, or the performance of equipment. This immediate insight enables quicker, more informed decision-making.
  • Data-Driven Strategies: Telematics data, rich in detail and scope, allows businesses to analyze trends and patterns, leading to more strategic, data-driven decisions. This can range from optimizing delivery routes to better managing maintenance schedules.
  • Predictive Analytics: By analyzing historical data, telematics enables businesses to predict future trends and potential issues, allowing for proactive decision-making and strategy formulation.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Productivity

  • Optimization of Routes and Schedules: This technology enables businesses to optimize their routes and schedules, reducing travel times and improving service delivery.
  • Improved Asset Utilization: Telematics helps in understanding how assets are being used, leading to better allocation and utilization, thus maximizing the value of these assets.
  • Enhanced Workforce Management: Real-time tracking and monitoring allow for more efficient workforce management, ensuring that employees are effectively deployed and utilized.

Cost Savings and ROI from Telematics Implementation

  • Fuel Efficiency: One of the most immediate benefits of telematics is the reduction in fuel costs through optimized routing, reduced idling, and better driving habits.
  • Reduced Maintenance Costs: The right solution can predict and schedule maintenance, preventing costly breakdowns and extending the life of vehicles and equipment.
  • Insurance Premium Reductions: Safer driving behavior, which can lead to lower insurance premiums for businesses.
  • ROI Realization: The return on investment (ROI) can be substantial. By reducing operational costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing productivity, telematics often pays for itself within a short period.

Integrating Telematics into Business Strategy

This is a multi-step process that requires careful consideration and execution. It begins with a thorough assessment of current business processes to identify where telematics can be most beneficial. Selecting the right solution is crucial, one that aligns with the company’s objectives and integrates seamlessly with existing systems. Implementation involves not just the technical setup but also comprehensive training for staff. To fully leverage telematics, it’s essential to integrate its data with other business systems, creating a cohesive operational picture.

Building a data-driven culture with telematics at its core is another critical aspect. This involves securing buy-in from the leadership team, ensuring their support in utilizing telematics data for strategic decisions. Employee engagement at all levels is vital to cultivate a culture where data-driven insights are integral to daily operations. Training programs are necessary to develop skills in interpreting and using this data, with successes in data-driven decision-making recognized and rewarded.

However, adopting telematics for strategic purposes comes with challenges. Addressing privacy concerns is paramount, requiring transparency in data collection and adherence to privacy laws. Managing the vast volumes of data generated by this technology to avoid overload is another challenge, necessitating robust data management and analysis systems. Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration ensures that insights from this data are shared and effectively used across the business. Finally, staying abreast of technological advancements in telematics is essential to continuously enhance its capabilities and maintain its strategic relevance.

The Future of Telematics in Business: Emerging Trends

As we look towards the future, telematics is poised to become an even more integral part of business operations. Key emerging trends include the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for deeper insights and predictive analytics. The advent of 5G technology promises to enhance the capabilities of telematics, offering faster and more reliable data transmission. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) will further expand the scope of telematics, enabling seamless connectivity between various devices and systems.

The evolution of autonomous vehicles and smart cities is expected to rely heavily on this technology, paving the way for new applications and services. Enhanced safety features, like real-time hazard alerts and driver assistance systems, will likely become more sophisticated. Moreover, telematics is set to play a crucial role in environmental sustainability efforts, assisting in monitoring and reducing emissions and promoting eco-friendly practices.

How Telematics Can Drive Innovation and Competitive Advantage

This technology stands at the forefront of driving innovation and competitive advantage for businesses. It enables companies to transform data into actionable insights, leading to more informed and strategic decisions. In an increasingly data-driven world, the ability to quickly adapt and respond to market changes is a significant competitive edge.

Businesses can leverage telematics to enhance customer experiences, offering personalized services and proactive solutions. It also opens up opportunities for new business models, like usage-based insurance or pay-per-use services. Furthermore, telematics aids in resource optimization, reducing operational costs, and improving the bottom line.

Final Thoughts

Telematics has evolved from a compliance tool into a strategic asset that can significantly transform business operations. It offers improved decision-making through real-time data, enhances operational efficiency and productivity, and drives cost savings. Its integration into business strategy requires careful planning, a commitment to building a data-driven culture, and overcoming various challenges.

The strategic use of telematics is not just an operational upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift towards a more data-driven, efficient, and forward-thinking business model.

Contact your GoFleet consultant and ask how you can drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage for your operations.

How Telematics Can Guide Efficient Fleet Operations

Fuel costs are a major concern for the fleet industry, often constituting the largest portion of operating expenses. Fluctuating fuel prices, influenced by global events and market dynamics, add a significant level of unpredictability to budgeting and operational planning for fleet businesses. In the context of rising fuel prices post-pandemic and geopolitical events such as the conflict in Ukraine, managing and reducing fuel consumption has become a top priority for companies to maintain profitability and competitive edge​​.

Telematics is a transformative technology for fleet management, involving the integration of telecommunications and informatics. It encompasses GPS tracking, vehicle diagnostics, and real-time data communication to enhance vehicle performance, driver safety, and overall operational efficiency. By providing insights into vehicle location, driver behavior, and vehicle activity, telematics enables fleet managers to make informed decisions, improving the efficiency and productivity of fleet operations. Moreover, fleets can leverage the power of telematics to save on fuel costs and positively impact their bottom line.

The purpose of this article is to explore how telematics technology can be a pivotal tool for fleet managers looking to mitigate the impact of high fuel costs. We will delve into the various functionalities of telematics that contribute to fuel savings, from optimizing routes to improving driver behaviors. 

By leveraging telematics, fleets can potentially achieve up to a 25% decrease in fuel costs, which not only enhances economic efficiency but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions​​. Furthermore, with transportation being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, adopting telematics offers a dual benefit of cost savings and reduced environmental impact​​.

In the following sections, we will discuss the specifics of how telematics can lead to these benefits, backed by real-world statistics and case studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of its role in fuel cost reduction and efficient fleet management.

Understanding Telematics

Telematics technology is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science. It involves the transmission of information over long distances. In the context of fleet management, telematics refers to the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics for sending, receiving, and storing information related to remote objects, like vehicles, through telecommunication devices.

Key Components of a Telematics System

The key components of a telematics system often include:

  • GPS Device: To pinpoint the exact location of the vehicle.
  • Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) II Port: Collects data from the vehicle’s internal computer.
  • Telematics Control Unit (TCU): Processes and transmits vehicle data.
  • Telecommunications Network: Enables the transmission of data between the vehicle and the central management system.
  • Data Storage: A cloud or server-based storage system to keep the collected data secure and accessible.
  • User Interface: Software platforms that present data to the end-user in a comprehensible format, often through dashboards, reports, and real-time alerts.

The Role of Telematics in Vehicle Tracking and Diagnostics

Vehicle Tracking: Telematics plays a critical role in vehicle tracking by using GPS and other navigation systems to provide real-time location data to fleet managers. This information is crucial for route optimization, monitoring vehicle usage, and ensuring driver accountability. Vehicle tracking can also enhance security measures by enabling the immediate location of a vehicle if it’s stolen or goes off-route.

Diagnostics: On the diagnostics front, telematics systems can read a vehicle’s OBD data to monitor its health and performance. This includes tracking engine hours, fuel use, battery life, and other critical indicators that can inform maintenance schedules and prevent breakdowns. By providing early warnings about potential vehicle issues, telematics systems allow fleet managers to address problems before they lead to costly downtime or repairs.

Telematics and Fuel Efficiency

Telematics improves fuel efficiency by providing detailed insights into vehicle operations and driver behavior. Through data analysis, it identifies patterns and practices that lead to excessive fuel use. It can recommend actions such as better route management, smoother driving techniques, and timely vehicle maintenance. By addressing these factors, telematics helps in reducing unnecessary fuel consumption, thereby improving fuel efficiency.

Monitoring Driver Behavior to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Driver behavior has a significant impact on fuel consumption. Telematics systems monitor behaviors such as speeding, idling, harsh acceleration, and braking, which are known to increase fuel usage. By analyzing this data, fleet managers can implement targeted driver training programs, promote more fuel-efficient driving habits, and set benchmarks for performance. This not only reduces fuel consumption but also promotes safer driving practices.

Route Optimization to Save Fuel

Route optimization is another way telematics promotes fuel efficiency. Telematics systems use GPS and real-time traffic data to determine the most efficient routes to a destination. Avoiding traffic congestion, reducing travel distances, and selecting routes with favorable conditions can significantly reduce fuel usage. This also leads to timely deliveries and improved customer satisfaction, as drivers avoid delays caused by traffic jams or construction.

Vehicle Maintenance Alerts to Prevent Fuel Wastage

Proper vehicle maintenance is crucial for optimal fuel economy. Telematics systems provide maintenance alerts based on real-time vehicle diagnostics and usage patterns. Regular maintenance as per these alerts ensures that vehicles operate efficiently, with issues like under-inflated tires, dirty air filters, or misaligned wheels—which can all lead to increased fuel consumption—being addressed promptly. By preventing these issues from going unnoticed, telematics helps in maintaining the fuel efficiency of the fleet.

Case Studies

GCI Gravel Conveyor operates out of Indianapolis, with a fleet of 21 trucks. After implementing a telematics solution, GCI has reported annual savings of over $90,000 in fuel tax reporting alone. By using the telematics system to record when trucks are used off-road (and thus not subject to on-road diesel fuel taxes), they can accurately track and apply for fuel tax refunds. This precise tracking extends to other aspects of their business, enhancing overall operational efficiency​​​​.

In addition, the use of geofencing technology has enabled GCI to more accurately bill customers for time spent on a job site, with charges accruing by the minute once a truck enters a geofenced area. This not only ensures accurate billing but also contributes to an overall increase in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction​​.

This case study demonstrates the tangible benefits that telematics can bring to fleet operations, not only in terms of direct cost savings in fuel consumption but also in indirect cost savings through improved operational practices and more accurate billing and tax reporting.

Integrating Telematics into Fleet Operations

Integrating telematics into fleet operations can be a game-changer for improving fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs. However, successful integration requires careful planning, staff training, and the setting of clear objectives. Below is a structured approach to seamlessly incorporate telematics into existing fleet operations. 

  • Assessment: Conduct an in-depth review of current operations to pinpoint needs.
  • Technology Selection: Select a telematics solution tailored to the fleet’s specific requirements.
  • Installation: Implement the telematics devices across the fleet, ensuring proper setup.
  • Integration: Seamlessly incorporate telematics data into existing management systems.
  • Policy Development: Formulate guidelines for data handling, privacy, and usage.

Training Staff on Telematics Usage

  • Technical Training: Offer comprehensive training for relevant personnel on system capabilities.
  • Driver Orientation: Educate drivers on the benefits and operation of the telematics devices.
  • Ongoing Support: Provide continuous support for any technical queries or issues.

Setting Goals and Benchmarks for Fuel Savings

  • Baseline Measurement: Determine the current fuel usage to establish a reference point.
  • Target Setting: Define clear and attainable goals for reducing fuel consumption.
  • Performance Monitoring: Regularly track progress using the telematics system.
  • Feedback Loop: Review data periodically, give feedback to staff, and adjust goals as needed.

Challenges and Considerations

Telematics systems are powerful tools for enhancing fleet efficiency and safety, but deploying them can present challenges that must be thoughtfully addressed. Concerns about privacy, the costs associated with telematics solutions, and the balance between initial investment and long-term savings are among the top considerations for fleet managers.

Addressing Privacy Concerns

Implementing telematics requires handling sensitive data, which can raise privacy concerns among drivers. It’s essential to establish clear policies that define how data will be collected, used, and protected. Transparency with drivers and stakeholders about the intent and use of data is critical to fostering trust and ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

The Cost of Telematics Implementation

The initial cost of telematics devices and software can be a hurdle. It includes the expense of hardware, installation, training, and potential upgrades to existing systems. Fleet managers must consider these costs against the budget and look for solutions that offer the best return on investment.

Balancing Initial Investment with Long-Term Savings

The upfront investment in telematics technology must be justified by the long-term savings it can deliver. While telematics can reduce fuel costs, improve maintenance, and enhance efficiency, these savings may take time to realize. Managers need to calculate the expected return on investment and create a timeline for when savings will offset the initial costs.

Final Thoughts

Telematics has proven to be instrumental in reducing fuel consumption through efficient route planning, improved driver behavior, and timely vehicle maintenance.

If you’re ready to explore how telematics can benefit your fleet, contact a GoFleet expert today. Our consultants are equipped to tailor a telematics solution that aligns with your business goals and drives you towards a more efficient, cost-effective future.

telematics improves fleet management

How Telematics Improves Fleet Management

As the commercial fleet industry continues to grow, evolve and adapt, having the right tools in your vehicles can help with improved productivity and efficiency. To that end, there are a number of ways in which telematics improves fleet management.

As fleet safety managers and owners work to retain drivers and integrate systems, it’s essential to consider fleet efficiency and new engagement opportunities. To that end, telematics provides valuable insights and data, changing the game in fleet management technology.

What is Telematics?

Telematics brings together two key areas – telecommunications and informatics. Telematics devices collect and transmit data on commercial vehicle use. This includes maintenance requirements and servicing needs.

Using telematics, it is possible for fleet managers to coordinate the vehicles they manage. It also enables them to have a complete view of the profitability, health, and productivity of their fleet at any time.

what is telematics

How Telematics Improves Fleet Management

What does telematics do for your organization? When it comes to investing in fleet management software or solutions, understanding the direct impact on your business’s bottom line is critical. Here are a few ways that telematics can help you to do that.

Decreased Fuel Costs

With fuel costs on the rise, it is critical to have a plan in place to reduce operational costs. Telematics can help identify areas of waste. For example, it can help identify problems with fuel slippage and idling, both of which can increase costs dramatically. 

Additionally, telematics enables better route planning and can create alternative routes that are more fuel (and time) efficient. Other examples of reducing unnecessary mileage and improving fuel efficiency using telematics include:

  • Improving driver behaviours that often increase fuel costs, such as harsh braking, idling or speeding
  • Creating maintenance schedules in a timely manner so as to reduce vehicle stress and improve overall engine health

Improving Overall Fleet Safety

Telematics improves the safety of your vehicles and your drivers, which contributes to your fleet’s financial gain, especially with regards to reducing insurance claims and accident-related liability claims. 

A continuous feed of recorded video footage allows fleet managers to assess driving habits, and to provide live in-cab coaching when an event is triggered. Ongoing training and coaching is just one of the services that telematics provides, and is equally useful in the moment, or for creating better driving behaviour in the future.

Secondly, the same video footage can be collected and reviewed in the event of an incident, identifying who was at fault and potentially reducing false claims while lowering insurance premiums, all of which feed into the safety and security of your fleet.

Improved Productivity

Telematics includes real-time GPS data that can be used to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Directly and indirectly, this increases driver productivity.

Accurate, real-time data can identify delays due to traffic and create alternative routes. It can also help fleet managers plan for poor weather that may keep drivers off the road, allowing them to adjust timelines or routes to minimize risk.

In addition, telematics data provides a bird’s eye view of your fleet. If the office manager needs to add a new stop or change a destination, having a holistic overview of your vehicles’ activities can help. 

Better Financial Management

Because telematics provides better insight into vehicle start and end times, it helps manage compliance requirements, such as hours of service (HOS).

From a business standpoint, telematics allows you to get the most out of your resources by identifying money going in and out of your fleet.

An Empowering and Essential Tool

Every fleet needs as much useful, targeted data about their vehicles as possible. Telematics can help organizations improve operational efficiency, save time and money.

At GoFleet, we have the telematics solution for your fleet, regardless of size. Contact us today to see how telematics can fit your organization.

image representing fuel saving

Telematics Can Help Your Fleet Reduce Fuel Costs

Benjamin Franklin famously said that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Given today’s fractured economic climate, one could easily add the skyrocketing cost of fuel to that list.

In the transportation industry, fleet managers are challenged to mitigate rising fuel costs without compromising other aspects of their business. Many companies have chosen to add electric vehicles to their fleet. While these vehicles definitely save on fuel costs, they can be cost prohibitive.

So how can one maintain fuel efficiency across their fleet without impacting their budget? Telematics might just hold the answer.

Using telematics to reduce fuel costs

Telematics combines telecommunications and informatics. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) automatically record hours-of-service (HOS) and driving time data.

Through the use of GPS and communication technologies, telematics provides fleet managers with data about vehicle location, vehicle use, kilometres driven, idle time, fuel economy, driver behaviour, and engine maintenance.

Within the transportation industry, telematics can track all aspects of the vehicle, from electrical, mechanical engineering to software engineering.

In the context of saving fuel costs, telematics controls and monitors vehicles on the move; it acts as a single monitor for all the different sensory and electrical features of your vehicles, including fuel efficiency, all the while providing data on-demand and in real-time.

Here are just a few of the ways that telematics can help you reduce fuel costs.

Improving driving habits

Everyone develops bad habits over time, and commercial drivers are no exception. Idling, aggressive driving and sudden acceleration can all add up to large fuel costs.

With telematics data, fleet managers can receive alerts in real-time, allowing them to coach the driver to prevent future incidents. Many of these telematics systems are paired with powerful software packages to help track vehicle activity and manage fuel consumption.

Telematics can also help you keep scorecards for your drivers, allowing them to challenge each other, and themselves, to improve their performance on the road.

Deterring fuel theft

Telematics solutions in your vehicles can be accessed remotely to help you keep track of fuel usage. Instant alerts let you know if there is any suspicious behaviour around fuel consumption.

Monitoring and maintaining diesel fuel levels

A poorly maintained diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) level can have an adverse effect on your vehicles’ mechanics, resulting in inefficient use of fuel, and an unfavourable impact on the environment.

Telematics ensures that DEF maintenance is optimal. These solutions send real-time data alerts when diesel exhaust levels are not on par with the emission regulation threshold.

Providing proactive maintenance schedule alerts

Regardless of the telematics solution you choose for your fleet, running full-time diagnostics should always be a priority, especially if fuel conservation is a pain point.

If the device senses that something isn’t running as it’s supposed to, it proactively sends an alert to the driver, while simultaneously alerting the repair centre.

Maintenance alerts slow down the gradual wear and tear on your vehicles and helps prevent future breakdowns, all of which help you save on fuel costs.

Optimizing existing routes and finding new ones

The data collected by GPS integration (common in most telematics systems) can be used to find better, safer routes, which can reduce not only the overall travel time, but the amount of fuel it takes to reach your destination.

GPS can also provide real-time traffic or route status; in the event of heavy traffic, this feature can help you find an alternative route and avoid idling.

General tips on reducing fuel costs

The alerts provided by telematics give you a holistic overview of your fleet. Most of these alerts have a direct impact on fuel consumption and acting on them can create big savings with minimal effort.

Here are a few of the diagnostics that telematics can track and alert you to in order to save fuel:

  • Keeping tires properly inflated. You can increase your gas mileage by up to 3% by keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure.
  • Reducing the use of air conditioners and heaters, or keeping them at optimal levels.
  • Staying on top of alignments and other scheduled maintenance work. Regular maintenance not only improves fuel efficiency, it also minimizes the risk of accidents.
  • Telematics can identify if the vehicle’s payload is too heavy, which can cause damage to your fleet and exponential gas consumption.
  • You can improve gas mileage by using the vehicle’s recommended grade of motor oil. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the packaging can also support your fuel-saving efforts with friction-reducing additives.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a telematics solution that gives you real-time feedback on fuel consumption or provides data to help you make informed decisions about maintenance and vehicle replacement, the fact remains that telematics can improve the status of your vehicles while having a positive impact on your bottom line.

Contact us at GoFleet and ask us how our telematics solutions can help reduce your fuel costs!

 

image representing telematics

The benefits of telematics during the labour shortage

When it comes to transportation of goods and services, truck drivers are the adhesive that holds the supply chain together. Given their importance, finding, hiring, and retaining truck drivers has proven to be more difficult than ever.

Once thought of solely as a system for improving operational efficiency, there is now opportunity to leverage telematics for driver retention.

By the end of this article, you will gain insight into the present trucking industry, and how the use of telematics can make a big difference with the current labour shortage.

What is ‘telematics’?

In broad terms, telematics is a field that combines telecommunications and informatics. Informatics involves the working of computer systems – the science involved in the processing of information, its storage, and retrieval.

When you apply this combination to vehicles, telematics becomes a highly sophisticated computing system that can track all aspects of the vehicle, from electrical, mechanical engineering to software engineering.

The use of telematics in the context of vehicle use often involves the following:

  • Using telecommunications to send, receive and store information to help control remote objects.
  • The combined use of telecommunications, and informatics to control and monitor vehicles that are on the move.
  • The use of GPS to help with the navigation and live tracking of vehicles.

Telematics acts as a single monitor for all the different sensory and electrical features of your vehicle, all the while providing instant information on a single vehicle, or an entire fleet, on demand and in real-time.

The trucking industry’s labour shortage

According to a recent report from the American Trucking Association (ATA), the shortage in truck drivers hit an all-time high of over 80,000 drivers in 2021.

The most prevalent causes were:

  • Demographics – The average age of current drivers is above 50, leading to more retirees and fewer hires year over year.
  • Fewer female drivers – According to the same ATA report, women only make up 7% of the overall existing drivers.
  • Lack of new drivers – The availability of potential drivers on par with a truck carrier’s hiring standard is extremely low.
  • Lifestyle –The lifestyle of the average truck driver is another important factor that deters people from choosing truck driving as a profession. Long hours, irregular meals and sleeping patterns all contribute to the decline.
  • The pandemic – Among the many people that were temporarily laid off due to COVID, most did not come back.

This labour shortage will be acutely felt for a long time and may persist until the trucking industry increases its bandwidth to allow younger drivers into the fold and/or improves its hiring and training practices.

Mitigating the labour shortage

There are two parts to managing the labour shortage. The first and most self-evident is to make the driving profession more lucrative and attractive to potential drivers, including:

  • Offering fair wages with extra benefits, including solid health insurance and pension plans.
  • An increase in freight rates.
  • A refresh in the truck industry’s branding, making it an appealing and viable career path.
  • Better work schedules and route assignment for improved work/life balance.

The second solution would be the adoption of technology. Telematics has massive potential to help your workforce mitigate the labour shortage while providing attractive solutions that make everyone’s job easier in the short and long-term.

How telematics can help

Telematics has the power to improve the working conditions of your existing and future drivers in a very significant way.

The benefits of telematics from a business perspective

  • Improves productivity and efficiency: The data collected by integrated GPS found in most telematics systems can be used to optimize routes, which reduces the overall time spent on the road, reduces delivery times, and improves fuel usage.
  • Reduces operation costs: All the improvements listed in the previous statement help reduce operational costs. Moreover, since telematics tracks and keeps records of virtually everything that has to do with the vehicle, there are opportunities to identify potential issues within your vehicles before they happen, thus improving operational costs and maximizing fleet efficiency.
  • Automates payroll management: With the time and distance data provided by telematics, it becomes easier to manage payroll without having to worry about clerical errors.
  • Streamlines telecommunications: Telematics systems help you seamlessly streamline all forms of end-to-end communication within your business operations, from customers to drivers.
  • Offers proactive maintenance and repair alerts: The diagnostics data provided by telematics can help you maintain your fleet and keep everything in working order. Issues can be flagged to your driver while also alerting your repair centre, preventing break downs before they happen.
  • Attracts and retains drivers: This is the most important benefit given the subject of this article. Vehicles fitted with telematics technology will always prove to be more attractive, and the many features that the tech offers, especially in them being engaged, and not disconnected over miles of long lonely road, will certainly help in their retention.

The benefits of telematics from a driver’s perspective

  • Improves safety and compliance: The built-in driver monitoring software encourages drivers to comply with all regulatory driving standards. This goes a long way in avoiding, and preventing accidents, ensuring the overall health, and safety of the drivers.
  • Opportunities for real-time coaching: Virtually everyone develops bad driving habits over time. Whether it’s harsh braking, frequent acceleration or failing to use a turn signal, telematics can identify these occurrences and alert both you and your driver to these behaviours as soon as they happen, giving you an opportunity to correct and coach in real-time.
  • Increases job safety: Contrary to popular belief, telematics isn’t the digital, overbearing “Big Brother” that everyone thinks. There are lots of ways to introduce telematics to your drivers that frame it as a benefit; less in-cab surveillance and more of an insurance policy that helps prevent accidents, exonerate your drivers and keep them safe.

Conclusion

While there is no singular solution to fix the entire trucking industry, an organized business that leverages telematics data not only lures prospective employees, but it can also help your organization use your existing drivers and vehicles more efficiently while keeping them safe on the road.

For more information, contact your GoFleet consultant and ask us how we can keep you and your staff in the driver’s seat.

Illusdtration of connected trucks telematics

How telematics will improve your fleet operations in 2022

Historically, fleet management has not been an easy endeavour. With so many moving parts and dependencies, companies have struggled with the bandwidth to stay on top of their operations and expenditures. There’s the need to ensure that vehicles and drivers are assigned efficiently, that resources aren’t constantly overstretched and that unnecessary costs aren’t racking up – all of which is incredibly difficult if you don’t have real-time information at your fingertips.

Thankfully, innovations in technology are revolutionizing the process. Telematics solutions are shifting the way in which organizations track and manage their fleet operations, yielding a wide range of benefits in the process. Here’s how telematics will improve your fleet operations in 2022.

The Benefits of Telematics

Telematics is a monitoring technique that uses a combination of GPS, dash cam technology and on-board diagnostics (OBD) to keep track of automobiles, trucks, machines, and other assets. By analyzing real-time fleet data, such as location and activity information, end users can use telematics to provide invaluable business insights into their operations and assets.

Since fleet managers don’t have time to measure every single aspect of the operation manually, telematics is a quick and easy way to assess your fleet’s performance at any given moment. The system automatically detects all the details you need to keep track of without needing intervention from human operators.

Telematics solutions offer a comprehensive list of benefits to trucking companies. It can tell you how fast you’re going, how much gasoline you’re using, where your trailers are, whether your vehicles are in good condition, and much more.

Regardless of the solution you choose for your fleet, telematics help your drivers stay safe on the road. Fleet managers can keep an eye on their drivers by checking the safety scores of each individual vehicle, which consider the hours driven and operating conditions. These metrics help fleet managers identify problematic driving behaviours before they become a major liability for the company.

Telematics offer solutions to fleet managers and drivers.

Where Video Telematics is Heading

Telematics is a rapidly expanding market that promises to reach $3,556 million in global sales by 2026, according to reports. The automotive sector is being pushed ahead by the advent of 5G, electrical engineering, vehicle technology, and AI as automobiles become part of the IoT family.

According to Berg Insight, the number of active video telematics systems in North America reached a staggering 2.1 million units in 2020. The active installed base is expected to reach more than 4.4 million units in North America by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2 percent.

This new study identifies key insights into the video telematics market. It found that cameras are being integrated into commercial vehicle systems at increasing rates to provide a variety of video-based solutions and are becoming a priority in the transportation sector as such.

With such extreme growth, it is all but certain that telematics and the future of fleet management will go hand in hand.

Why The Adoption of Telematics Will Make or Break Fleets In 2022

Without a doubt, telematics is an essential integration for your operations. It helps you take actionable steps to improve your company’s performance and remain prepared for anything that comes ahead.

With the amount of data collected through telematics, fleet managers can easily identify trends surrounding their vehicles, drivers and assets, and make informed decisions about their company’s future. Moving forward, businesses will define a successful new year with the decision to either adopt or delay the integration of this technology.

How GoFleet Is Leading the Way

With the rapid evolution and adoption of telematics solutions, it can be hard to keep track of what changes are being made. So far this year, there have been some big changes in telematics—and they’re all happening right now.

GoFleet is leading the way in this technology and its shifts, offering new ways in which to take advantage of what telematics has to offer.

Zenducam, one of GoFleet’s most renowned products, has changed the telematics game, allowing businesses to effectively monitor their fleets and related operations.

The innovative dash camera offers features such as the real-time transmission of video, live GPS location, insights on driver behaviour and much more. Zenducam allows fleet managers to readily access data and leverage it to bolster their fleet’s performance while keeping driver and asset safety top of mind.

Solving Problems Through Expertise and Excellence

GoFleet leads the way in ongoing innovation and is helping solve some of the commercial trucking industry’s biggest pain points in the process.

Issues such as staffing shortages, safety and compliance can be daunting, but easily navigated through GoFleet’s revolutionary approach to fleet management.

With the increasing demand for more efficient, smarter, and safer fleets than ever before, GoFleet is positioning businesses to take advantage of the telematics evolution.

GoFleet helps measure, monitor, and manage drivers and vehicles, whether you have one vehicle or hundreds. We guarantee peace of mind by taking on the more tedious operational tasks while you improve your company’s performance.

Our advanced telematics systems are scaled to the needs of your business, delivering only the best quality and performance while following all compliance standards. This way, your business can proceed with clear and achievable goals in mind while we provide curated integrated telematics data to provide advanced support for all your fleet’s needs.

GoFleet’s products and approach to success are a trademark of its efficacy as a solution to fleet management, and ultimately revolve around the priority of customer care. Assisting customers in navigating this ground-breaking technology, GoFleet has established itself as an expert in telematics and is readily accessible to its customers for post-sales support.

By leveraging these cutting-edge solutions, companies will be able to monitor their fleet’s activity more effectively than ever before—and put together comprehensive plans for its future success. GoFleet continues to pave the way for automated fleet management, and plays a pivotal role in defining what it means to be successful in 2022.

telematics, report, gofleet, gps, optimization, fleet, vehicle

What Is Telematics? An In-Depth Look

In the most general terms, telematics is the fusion of telecommunications (e.g. phone lines and cables) and informatics (computers) to create a holistic overview of one’s enterprise. Most often, telematics solutions are applied to commercial fleets, automating and leveraging the collection of GPS data across any number of assets.

While certainly not a new industry, the telematics field stands at the precipice of massive growth opportunities. The following is GoFleet’s primer guide on telematics; we’ll show you how it works, the types of data sets that are collected, and how to harness the power of telematics to increase your productivity and profitability. 

 

How did telematics start?

 

The digital science of merging telecommunications channels with information technology (or informatics) began In the 1960s, when The Department of Defense in the U.S. developed GPS — the Global Positioning System. GPS was created specifically to trace the movement of their domestic military assets and improve internal communications.

As the internet expanded, more telecommunications networks went up, transferring data in real-time and enabling information to travel remotely, automating the capture of detailed data for a variety of purposes. Telematics was also made possible due to technological breakthroughs in machine-to-machine communication (M2M) — highly intelligent computer devices that gather and analyze mass data to manage real-world systems.

Today, vehicle telematics integrates wireless communications, GPS navigation, third-party software platforms, hands-free cell phones, automatic driving assistance systems and message encryption. Telematics systems can report on a vehicle’s speed, idling, tire pressure, driver habits, engine fault codes, collision detection and much more.

Added to the tracking device hardware, GoFleet’s software platform, AI algorithms and other patented knowledge allows for accuracy, quality and protection of GPS and other data transference. Known as ‘curve-logging’, this allows our software to discard unnecessary information, while preserving and logging the most useful vehicle maintenance data.

 

How telematics works

 

With regards to fleet tracking, vehicles equipped with Vehicle Tracking Devices; small, durable black boxes that provide superior GPS and asset tracking technology. These telematics devices often plug into an OBD II or CAN-BUS port in the vehicle. Paired with a SIM-card and on board modem, the units enable constant communication across all cellular networks.

The asset tracking, vehicle information recording, and communications transmission devices involved in telematics logging include the following key components:

  • GPS receiver
  • Engine interface
  • SIM card
  • Accelerometer
  • Buzzer or other audio messaging
  • Interface for input/output (expander port)

The devices then retrieve and record an enormous amount of data generated by a vehicle, and transmit that data through cloud technology, providing fleet towners with dashboard reports and command-centre visibility into their operations.

Since telematics devices connect to a vehicle’s sensors and hardware, the type of data they process and analyze includes:

  • Real-time GPS positioning
  • G-force and vehicle speed, measured by a built-in accelerometer
  • Trip distance, routing and time
  • Idling time records
  • Fuel consumption
  • Harsh braking, hard cornering, rapid acceleration and other bad driving habits
  • Seat belt usage
  • Vehicle faults, engine light information and other engine data
  • Battery voltage and vehicle temperature
  • Service reminders and other vehicle maintenance warnings

All of that data is captured, encoded and then transmitted through fleet management software. It is then decoded for authorized, preprogrammed users, allowing for secure transmission of actionable data to IP addresses or cell phones.

This provides the command-centre data needed for generating, viewing and exporting dashboard reports. Business intelligence insights can even create driver scorecards — identifying safe drivers, speeding incidents, or opportunities for scheduled maintenance.

 

Telematics in fleet management

 

Telematics has become an essential tool for commercial and government fleet management. In addition to tracking major assets across the globe using GPS, advances in machine learning and data analytics mean improved fleet performance and productivity. Fleets can even use benchmarking measures to compare safety, fuel consumption or other standards against similar fleets.

One indispensable feature of telematics in fleet management is the creation of advanced analytic comparisons. This provides fleet managers with hard data that can be used to identify optimal travel routes, deter theft and protect assets.

Though telematics data can be stored and sent from closed-vehicle systems, most often a fleet’s telematic technology is shared through open platforms via proprietary software. This allows businesses to integrate other hardware, after-market accessories, and third-party apps for greater efficiency, expandability and insight into business operations, while retaining data privacy.

As telematic devices continue to improve, the most popular telematics integrations for fleet management currently include:

In fact, vehicle security and identification sensors have improved so much that fleets can now authenticate a driver’s identity before they are able to start the vehicle.

Every day, more businesses, nonprofits and government agencies move toward the hard data and superior protection that telematics affords. According to Allied Market Research, the automotive telematics market was valued globally at $50.4 billion in 2018. By 2026, experts believe it will reach $320 billion. 

The benefits of telematics are self-evident; they offer diagnostic tools that prolong the life of vehicles, warn of pending issues and identify areas of concern. Telematics contribute to ROI and savings so exponentially, Verizon recently wrote: “32% of fleets using fleet management technology achieved a positive ROI in less than a year,” sharing this and more data points in their 2021 Fleet Technology Trends Report.

Industries currently employing telematics for their fleet tracking include:

 

The benefits of telematics for commercial fleets

 

The applications for telematics cannot be understated; it harnesses a rich ecosystem of information — from granular drivetrain details to post-collision reconstruction of driving events — ensuring the health of your vehicle and the safety of everyone on the road.

 

Safety tracking:

 

Fleet managers can use telematics to monitor the speed and location of their vehicles, as well as ensure that drivers employ good driving habits now and in the future. In the event of an accident, telematics can help identify who was at fault and what the road conditions were prior to the event, ensuring the safety of their drivers and preventing future incidents.

 

Maintenance:

 

By understanding the entire operational life cycle of their vehicles, including hours of service (HOS), warranty recovery and preventative maintenance scheduling, managers can find areas of improvement and identify problems before they occur.

 

Insurance:

 

Insurance companies can leverage telematics data to assess risk factors within a fleet and adjust premiums accordingly. Factors such as accidents, fuel consumption and engine wear can all determine — and possibly lower — insurance rates for your fleet.

 

GoFleet telematics support

 

GoFleet and our trusted partners have identified seven key areas where fleet management receives the greatest direct advantage from telematics support:

  1. Improved Productivity: Using real-time GPS tracking and automatic trip reporting, fleets can greatly improve dispatching, routing, ETA notification and customer service.
  2. Increased Safety: In-vehicle driver coaching alerts to drowsiness or other risky driver behaviours; collision reconstruction and theft location notifications help protect your assets.
  3. Optimization of Fleets: Streamlining vehicle servicing with predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics improves fuel management, driver habits and vehicle integrity.
  4. Fleet Compliance: Automates FTA reporting, inspections and compliance logging.
  5. Platform Integration: Makes sure all your mobile asset apps and equipment communicate seamlessly, integrating camera, sensors, CRM technology and more.
  6. Adaptable Sustainability: Reduces the environmental impact of carbon emissions, adapts to emerging power sources, and analyzes the cost effectiveness of electric vehicles.
  7. Insurance Premiums: Because fleets can now share their safety compliance data as proof with insurance companies, risk assessments often generate lower premium costs.

 

The future of telematics

 

As GPS tracking systems and M2M technologies advance, the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow; every advance made brings us closer to the edge of a telematics revolution. From enhanced collection and capture of intelligence data to performance benchmarking and reporting for fleet optimization, the future of telematics is bright. Contact your GoFleet consultant to discuss how telematics can bring tomorrow’s technology to your fleet, today. 

Should Your Business Be Using Telematics?

If you’re looking to grow your business, it’s important to review how telematics may be able to help. Depending on what your current and future needs are, telematics solutions that work to optimize efforts while boosting efficiency, productivity and safety, may be exactly what you need.

Click on the image below to learn more about how adopting new technology could in fact be what your business needs to move forward.

New Partnership: Working With Samsara To Better Help Fleets

As the needs of businesses are continually evolving, it’s critical for organizations to stay on top of industry trends. This is amplified with it comes to the IoT and telematics sector as new tools and solutions are always transforming. With this in mind, GoFleet is excited to partner with Samsara! This partnership allows us to expand our solutions offerings to better help businesses stay efficient, safe and sustainable.

 

Partnership With Samsara

 

With Samsara’s help, we will now offer additional fleet management, asset tracking, camera and safety solutions. The core of these Samara offerings will provide businesses with end-to-end and cost-effective solutions that are billed monthly. In the past, Samsara has been highlighted to help those within various industries such as transportation and logistics, food and beverage, as well as state and local government. 

 

Fleet Management Solution 

 

Samsara offers end-to-end fleet management solutions that many businesses may find of interest as they offer a modern platform with real-time visibility in addition to AI-powered analytics. As the deadline for drivers is looming closer (or has already passed) for fleets to adopt innovative tools such as electronic logging devices, it’s critical for managers to find the right device for their needs as soon as possible. It’s important to note that Samsara’s fleet management solutions are able to connect to third party systems to improve real-time data and visibility efforts.

Learn more here: https://www.gofleet.com/product/samsara-gateway-gps-system/

 

Camera And Safety Solution

 

Samsara has numerous camera and safety solutions that fleets can take advantage of. Among the basic features of being able to collect video footage, Samsara dashcams and sensors can leverage computer vision. This allows it to automatically identify unsafe driving behaviour, offer in-cab voice coaching and conduct automatic upload. All of the features truly pushing businesses forward to a safer future. 

Learn more here: https://www.gofleet.com/product/samsara-ai-dash-cams-for-fleets/

 

Asset Tracking 

 

Lastly, Samsara offers various tracking options for fleets. Apart from offering basic trailer tracking to increase GPS visibility of your team, Samsara also offers wireless reefer and asset tracking products. So whether you’re looking to stay compliant to critical temperature monitoring regulations or monitoring where costly equipment is throughout the day, it can be done. 

Learn more here: https://www.gofleet.com/product/samsara-ag24-trailer-tracker/ 

 

If you’re interested to learn more about our partnership with Samsara, and how it may benefit your new fleet management needs, contact us today!

Common IoT Frustrations After Implementing New Technology

When a business adopts a new technology or tries a new strategy, sometimes the change can provoke frustration. This is because some employees may struggle to see the value in the change or employees may prefer to complete work the way they’ve always known. However, it’s important to remember that new technology is critical for businesses that are looking to grow as it drives new levels of success. So with this being said, managers must do everything they can to ensure a smooth transition of adopting new technology. When discussing the adoption of IoT solutions, managers must do what they can to limit common IoT frustrations among their teams.

 

Common IoT Frustrations & Possible Solutions

 

Having New Quantities of Data

When new IoT solutions are deployed, businesses can struggle and become frustrated about what to do with the vast quantities of data that they now have. This frustration is amplified when there is no guidance or direction as teams can become overwhelmed or unsure of their work. So whenever a business implements a new technology, it is always recommended for management to take advantage of the training and support available. Regardless of if managers feel as though their team can do so without it, having additional guidance about how to use the tool can help ensure that employees are not only using it properly but using it to its fullest potential.

 

Service Interruptions and Outages

When it comes to the service of your IoT solutions, there are concerns that there will be a lack of service with the technology. This comes from the fear that with any new computerized tool, there could be periods where it just doesn’t work. While this is a common IoT frustration that many could encounter for various reasons, it’s critical for businesses to do what they can to keep this frustration at a minimum. This includes managers or decision-makers to do their due diligence and research the company they’re about to work with. This will ensure that businesses are working with a service provider who is known to have uninterrupted service, generally fast log times and quick customer service response times.

 

Lack of Acceptance

One final frustration that many companies face is the frustration of team members not being open to adopting new tools. As many teams prefer to stick to routines, sometimes it can make implementing new technology difficult. And when teams are reluctant to take on new ways of working, it can make it that much harder for management to run departments or for organizations to grow. So management should always be encouraging and transparent about what the technology can do for employees and the company as a whole. Often, this can help encourage acceptance.

For example, at first, the implementation of new digital form solutions like ZenduForms may not be widely accepted by employees as it can appear to be more of a hassle to learn. However, after the right training is completed and employees are shown how it can help them and the company, it is likely that it will be more widely accepted. Interested to learn more about how ZenduForms could benefit your business? Contact our sales team to learn more today!

Every business will feel growing pains at some point, especially when new tools are continuously introduced. However, it’s important to anticipate such frustrations related to the new tools and for managers to do what they can to limit them. Not only does this require management to ensure that the proper training is completed when a new IoT tool is introduced and to be enthusiastic for the growth it could allow, but to do their due diligence while researching the success of the service provider. Keeping these three IoT frustrations and solutions in mind will not only make the transition to innovation easier, but will help ensure success rather than failure.