Telematics Set For Global Growth Decade!

A recent study, entitled “The World Market for OE In-Vehicle Telematics Systems”, by IMS Research, a consultant supplier of global electronics market research, suggests that the telematics vehicle tracking industry is about to enter “a new, dynamic growth phase”, increasing from 9% in 2009 to 46% in 2017.

Although the term “telematics” can mean slightly different things to different people and there is no consistent industry definition, it is broadly defined as integrated, two-way data communications between a vehicle and an outside network, often associated with location by employing a gps vehicle tracking system.

Increasingly considered vital to the fleet industry, mobile worker solutions often employ wireless technology to connect in-vehicle entertainment and information systems to outside networks, providing essential, additional functionality.

Various telematics solutions can differ according to how a wireless technology is enabled and the applications they provide. Some solutions employ an embedded wireless communications module while others make use of mobile phone tracking via the driver’s own cell phone.

Applications may include emergency calling, stolen vehicle tracking, and Internet access, which provides drivers and fleet managers with valuable weather reports, traffic, road and parking conditions, and remote diagnostic data. The number of vehicles with internet access is predicted to grow from 1.1 million in 2009 to 6.0 million in 2017.

As the UK endeavours to recover from recent recession yet facing further economic slowdowns, and fleet directors ratchet up the demand for an ever greater cost efficiency across their operations, they will be no doubt heartened by the optimistic forecast.

It has long been recognised and constantly proven that real efficiency benefits can be implemented by adopting a telematics solution that enables 24/7 real-time visibility, managed fleet data, elimination of wasted mileage, and access to real-time travel updates.