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A telematic module is a device that connects a vehicle's data-gathering systems to remote servers across wireless networks. This is how, for example, shipping companies know exactly where their delivery vehicles are.

The telematic module is popular for a wide range of fleet management needs, and you may want to know how to leverage it at your company. Here are four ways to make the most of your investment in these types of modules.

Integration

One of the fastest ways to increase the value of a module is to integrate your fleet management software with other systems. Companies can integrate telematics with inventory and shipment tracking tools, for example, to provide precise location data to their customers. If someone needs to know how far out a shipment with a key component for a project is, you can tell them because the telematics route directly into the tracking system.

Analytics

It's one thing to collect data, but the real value comes when you begin to analyze it. Suppose a sales company is exploring whether it's time to replace its fleet vehicles. With a telematic module in each car, the company can track how well the vehicles are doing on a range of metrics. If they want to see how fuel economy has held up over several years, they can look at all of the vehicles of the same make, model, and year. From there, they can calculate how much they might save by moving onto newer rides.

Safety Programs

Telematic fleet management makes it easier for you to implement safety protocols in the field. Some companies go as far as using the telematic module to regulate the performance of vehicles. If you want to keep every truck in your fleet below a certain speed to save on insurance premiums and reduce accidents, that program starts with real-time monitoring of your fleet. Similarly, you can reward drivers who excel at complying with the safety program.

Maintenance Programs

It's also important to stay in front of maintenance issues. Your telematics system can track how many miles a vehicle has traveled since its last oil change, brake job, new set of tires, and more. Not only can you flag which vehicles are due for maintenance, but you can also line the maintenance schedule up so you never take too many off the road at once. This will save on maintenance costs while also avoiding backlogs.