Australian Telematics Solutions

Telematics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, for instance, road transport, road safety, electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science (multimedia, Internet, etc.). Telematics can involve any of the following:

• the technology of sending, receiving and storing information using telecommunication devices to control remote objects
• the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics for application in vehicles and to control vehicles on the move
• global navigation satellite system technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems
  (most narrowly) the use of such systems within road vehicles, also called vehicle telematics

A combination of the words telecommunications and informatics, it was the joining of these two sciences that resulted in the field of telematics.

In its broadest sense telematics actually includes the internet itself, since it combines telecommunications (phone lines, cables, etc.) with informatics (such as computer systems). However, the term is now more commonly used to apply to vehicle telematics, where vehicle location information is used in different business applications to ultimately help business owners better manage a fleet-based workforce.

The technology allows the sending, receiving and storing of information relating to remote objects (in this case, the vehicle) via telecommunication devices that plugs into the OBD II or CAN-BUS port, with a SIM card and onboard modem enabling communication through a mobile network. This smart device, also known as a 'black box' then records and reports on various points of available data. There are many who believe, however, that telematics simply shows GPS vehicle location - this does not begin to cover the breadth of actionable intelligence that telematics provides.

Telematics is a translation of the French word télématique which was first coined by Simon Nora and Alain Minc in a 1978 report to the French government on the computerization of society. It referred to the transfer of information over telecommunications and was a portmanteau blending the French words télécommunications ("telecommunications") and informatique ("computing science"). The original broad meaning of telematics continues to be used in academic fields but in commerce it now generally means vehicle telematics.

At its core, a telematics system includes a vehicle tracking device installed in a vehicle that allows the sending, receiving and storing of telemetry data. ... The telematics data captured can include location, speed, idling time, harsh acceleration or braking, fuel consumption, vehicle faults, and more.

In its broadest sense, telematics is the joining of two sciences-telecommunications, a branch of technology including phone lines and cables, and informatics such as computer systems. Today, the term is commonly used in reference to the telematics solutions utilized in commercial fleet vehicles.

According to Gartner, wireless telematics devices and "black box" technologies collect and transmit data on vehicle use, maintenance requirements and automotive servicing. A popular option for modern companies is to utilize fleet management software, which is a branch of telematics, to coordinate the vehicles they manage and gain a comprehensive view of the health, profitability and productivity of their entire fleet.

Telematics is becoming an increasingly popular subject and has been widely discussed on technology-related websites. Although the term itself appears to be generally known, in fact there are not many comprehensive explanations of this issue. Therefore, we should properly organize the knowledge about this field and dispel certain myths.

What telematics actually is?

What are its potential uses?

Which sectors of the economy can gain the most from it?

From the commercial perspective, telematics is generally used as a synonym of vehicle telematics. This is because of the broad applications of telematics solutions in the automotive industry. The most popular applications of telematics include car concierge systems, onboard connectivity services, insurance based on driving behavior or fleet management services. The last term refers to the use of new technologies in order to efficiently manage and monitor the operations and location of various types of utility vehicles and identifying their status.

Telematics systems designed for fleets enable the exchange of information between a central location and the individual fleet vehicles such as trucks, ambulances, municipal vehicles or school buses.

Ostensibly, telematics is a field dedicated only to specialist industries and specific target groups. In fact, almost each and every one of us can benefit from telematics. Sounds incredible?

Imagine that a smart computer in your car is capable of analyzing everything that is happening all around you. From speed and fuel efficiency to tire pressure - everything can be tested and reported via specific systems connected with your vehicle.

Having this data and enhancing it with such information as weather, road or traffic conditions, we are able to create systems that not only save time and money but also can save the lives of many people.

Telematics systems perform a range of functions by gathering vehicle location and activity data, and turning this into business insight. Telematics works by:

1. Capturing vehicle location data via a GPS enabled device installed in a vehicle.
2. Transmitting data captured over secure cellular networks
3. Using a web-based software platform to present and visualize vehicle location and driver activity data