In brief
Telematics is the collection and transmission of vehicle data such as location, mileage, and operating status to a central system. It supplies the data needed for dispatching, maintenance planning, and analysis.
What data does telematics provide?
Depending on the system: location, journeys, mileage, operating hours, fuel or charge level, fault memory, and driving behavior. This allows maintenance dates, vehicle utilization, and unusual consumption to be identified without anyone recording values manually.
Where does the data come from?
From two sources. With manufacturer telematics, the vehicle supplies data through the manufacturer's interface without any additional hardware. With aftermarket telematics, a device is installed or plugged into the OBD-II port.
The manufacturer option requires little effort and poses no issue for leased vehicles, but the scope of data differs by brand. The aftermarket option provides consistent data across mixed fleets, but entails installation and removal costs.
Manufacturer telematics or aftermarket equipment?
The choice depends less on the amount of data than on how uniform the fleet is and how vehicles are acquired.
| Feature | Manufacturer telematics | Aftermarket equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | None; activation through manufacturer | Device installed or plugged in |
| Data scope | Differs by brand | Consistent across brands |
| Mixed fleets | Multiple connections needed | One system for all vehicles |
| Leased vehicles | No vehicle modification | Plan removal before return |
| Costs | Usually recurring per vehicle | Purchase, installation, and removal |
| Vehicle change | Assignment is updated | Device is transferred |
What legal requirements apply?
Location data is personal data when a vehicle can be associated with a person. Collection is permitted only for a specific, documented purpose; permanent tracking without such a purpose is not. The requirements follow from the GDPR in fleet management.
If there is a works council, its participation is required when the system is introduced. In practice, early involvement has a greater impact on project success than the technical choice: without accepted rules for use, a system is either not introduced or its data is not analyzed.
Further reading
Fleet Management Without Excel Spreadsheets
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