When the Internet of Things (IoT) potential was revealed, fleet operators worldwide were enthusiastic, at least those eager to advance.

In the fleet management business, digital-age advances have prompted a remarkable transformation. Smart devices, sensors, actuators, and other IoT-powered devices enable fleet operators to develop and perform better.

According to reports, the global IoT fleet management market revenue is predicted to reach $15,500 million by the end of 2024, up from $3,250 million in 2016. According to research companies, Io

T growth prospects appear promising, and worldwide fleet operators mainly accept the technology.

So, what changes will occur as a result of the implementation of IoT in the fleet industry?

Fleet operators that saw the actual potential of IoT are ecstatic. Smart fleet management systems based on technologies such as telematics, cloud, big data, and, most notably, IoT have proven to be a game changer for many freight and transportation organizations worldwide.

How Telematics Revolutionizes Fleet Management?

IoT has increased fleet management potentials to the point where we wouldn’t be wrong if we called it the curator of the other technologies that support smart fleet management solutions. The concept of connected vehicles has become a reality thanks to IoT.

The advancement of technology has facilitated Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connection and combined telecommunications and informatics to communicate and disseminate vital information to stakeholders in real-time, which is the primary cause for all of the advantages smart fleet management solutions offer.

Here are five ways that IoT can help the fleet management industry transform and gain a competitive advantage.

1. Cost Optimization and Higher Bottom Line

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology assists freight and transportation enterprises avoid traditional modes of operation, which are time-consuming and costly and create a communication gap between stakeholders. The technology successfully combines with other technologies to improve fleet operations daily.

Furthermore, it enables fleet operators to connect seamlessly with the non-management workforce, communicating with them in real-time and providing feedback and training as needed. Fleet tracking systems like RAM tracking management solutions assist in reducing costs by making sensors and other communication devices more affordable.

Besides, it enables fleet operators to obtain insurance pricing discounts because smart fleet management tools provide insurance companies with a higher level of assurance, validation, and proof.  

2. Improved Decision Making with Big Data Analytics

Another reason to rely on IoT-enabled smart fleet management solutions is that they enable you to produce commercial value by enabling robust data and statistics analysis. When data is analyzed, fleet operators can gain actionable insights.

For example, companies may quickly learn about drivers’ driving patterns, assess routes, measure typical delivery times, and acquire comparable other insights, which can help them simplify entire business activities and utilize enterprise-wide resources to maximize advantage.

It should also be emphasized that technologies such as telematics offer value to analytics by allowing freight and transportation industry managers to benefit from prescriptive analytics, which not only assists in identifying problems but also suggests viable solutions.

3. Scrutinization of Engine Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Traditional fleet management approaches have never been particularly helpful to fleet operators in monitoring vehicle engine performance and fuel efficiency. However, this is not the case with smart trucks. They are equipped with a digital tachograph, which makes the reporting structure intelligent.

To elaborate, a digital tachograph records entire data on vehicle usage and shares it in real-time with various stakeholders via connected devices. It is useful in determining, for example, the overall distance and speed of a specific vehicle.

This information helps fleet operators make better decisions and improves the health of their vehicles.

4. Predictive Maintenance of Vehicles

Intelligent reporting capabilities are well-known among smart trucks. This is because they include modern systems such as On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), which works with IoT technology. The OBD system interfaces with IoT-enabled connected devices, allowing fleet operators to obtain critical vehicle diagnostic information remotely.

When the OBD system was first established in the 1980s, it was primarily intended to monitor engine performance; however, with the newest iteration, OBD-II, the technology has been enhanced to provide early problem warnings.

As a result of such advanced systems, smart fleet management solutions greatly support predictive maintenance of vehicles, allowing fleet managers to execute repairing and servicing chores much before the damage has occurred.

5. Efficient Fleet Operations Management

IoT enables a connected ecosystem where data flows perfectly by collaborating with technologies like the cloud and big data. Endpoints are well-connected, and data may be accessed in real-time and from any location.

Thank you, cloud. Fleet operators can also combine smart fleet management solutions with their existing ERP systems, allowing management and monitoring centers to make more informed choices rapidly.

They can also create a dashboard that serves as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and provides a uniform view of fleet-wide data for performance evaluation and operations research. 

Bottomline

IoT is the cradle in which a linked ecosystem grows. The ecosystem integrates enterprise-wide apps and assets, regardless of location, to assist fleet operators in gathering meaningful data on nearly everything necessary. IoT technologies, for example, facilitate bridging the communication gap between suppliers and customers and fostering their relationships.   

Another angle to consider is the environmental advantage. According to reports, the IoT-based connected ecosystem assists fleet operators in reducing vehicle-to-site time by around 68%. It eventually leads to less fuel consumption, which leads to fewer emissions and lower carbon footprints.

As a result, IoT is the technology that enables the entire redesign of fleet management. In reality, smart fleet management is a major IoT use case demonstrating the technology’s potential.