What is Telematics?

Telematics combines both communications and information technology. This system transmits, stores and receives information from telecommunications devices and sends them to remote objects over a network.
The Internet provide great help to this system in the transmission of data across countless networks globally connected over multiple telecommunications network.

How telematics works:

The combined strength of telecommunications, wireless communications, electrical engineering, computer science, vehicular technologies and road transportation has helped telematics to store, send and receive information to control remote objects, specifically the moving vehicles using navigation systems. Global Positioning System technology in mobile devices and computers has enabled telematics to know the exact location of the moving vehicles and can exchange communication with a wide range of vehicles.

Vehicle telematics:

The automotive industry uses telematics commercially to describe onboard communications services and applications used in cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles using GPS receivers and telematics devices installed in each vehicle.
Vehicle telematics refers to the use of telematics to manage and monitor commercial vehicle operations. You can know when a vehicle starts and shuts down as well as its idling status, location and speed.
These systems enable the exchange of information between a central location and individual vehicles in a fleet. GPS tracking and other wireless communications provide transmitting information to and from a vehicle’s computerized systems. The information may be about GPS navigation, roadside assistance, remote diagnostics and fleet management.
GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile data networks are used to facilitate communication between the vehicle and the service provider. Faster wireless networks enable more advanced onboard services like vehicle firmware updates. For example, the device that runs gear is called firmware. The manufacturers continuously update the technology, so, that the device must be checked and updated constantly in the fleet.
Telematics systems with the help of sensors are providing additional informative reports, for example, how much time the shipping company’s trucks spend idling, and safe car drivers getting lower insurance premiums.
All this information helps to:

• Increase in productivity and reduce operating expenses
• Reduction in labor cost and fuel cost
• Improvement in customer service like multi user Wi-Fi hotspots and streaming video
• Fleet safety and security
• Reduce unauthorized vehicle use

New Applications:

While telematics is mainly used in the automotive industry, some other industries have also developed useful telematics options.
Telematics is providing network-based services to support new industries in car-sharing. It permits usage-based pricing and self-service reservations.
Some telematics applications, like water and air pollution monitoring, providing medical and healthcare information, and enabling distance learning, are being developed in other industries also.
Some third-party companies offer themselves as fleet management services providers to provide communications and information management services for their fleet vehicles. These providers specialize in specific services for their customer bases that include GPS fleet trackers, GPS tracking software and vehicle security services.

Conclusion:

Several features of the GPS vehicle tracking system make telematics a very useful system. Usability, technology development, and financial stability are just to mention a few.