Fleetowner 31872 640x480 4 Major Pain Points 1 0
Fleetowner 31872 640x480 4 Major Pain Points 1 0
Fleetowner 31872 640x480 4 Major Pain Points 1 0
Fleetowner 31872 640x480 4 Major Pain Points 1 0
Fleetowner 31872 640x480 4 Major Pain Points 1 0

4 Major pain points you may not expect from fleet telematics providers

May 3, 2018
There are many variables to consider when choosing the best telematics solution for your business. Some variables we expect, but it is the unexpected ones that can wind up ruining the buying experience.

There are many variables to consider when choosing the best telematics solution for your business. Some variables we expect, but it is the unexpected ones that can wind up ruining the buying experience and the fleet management project all together. In the telematics space, the four most unexpected pain points are:

  • Automatic contract renewals
  • Purchasing the wrong device from a vendor’s website
  • No guidance through installation
  • Non  U.S. based customer support

Automatic Renewals

Most telematics providers are going to ask that you sign an initial two or three to four year contract. Although this contract may is standard the length of term, along with other variables of the contract, can come back to bite you if you don’t pay close attention. You should read the contract closely before signing on the dotted line

Some people don’t read the fine print that says the vendor will automatically renew your contract for a few more years at the end of the initial term. Imagine that you’ve waited for what seems like an eternity to rid yourself from a service you weren’t benefiting from, only to find out that you are locked into another long-term contract with that company. Most of the time the only way out is to pay the remainder of the contract term. It’s very important to make sure that whichever telematics provider you choose does not reserve the right to automatically renew your contract after the initial term is over.

It is recommended that you work with a telematics provider that will notify you well in advance that your contract is going to expire. Before renewing your contract, the company should review with you how your company is using the product, the level of benefit you are receiving, and give you the option to resign or move on.

If you are one of the victims of an auto renewal, be sure to know the date or dates your contract(s) expire and mark them in your calendar so that it doesn’t happen to you again.   

E-Commerce Telematics Websites

The 21st century has brought on a myriad of changes to our culture; the constant theme has been to make life easier. One of the best examples of this is online shopping. What a wonderful concept, and in many cases it is. In the telematics space however, the purchasing process is quite different than purchasing most other products. You may think ordering GPS devices online from your telematics provider is a great idea because you’ve become accustomed to online shopping, but trying to do this with GPS devices must be viewed differently. Telematics systems are not a 1-click purchase.

Because of the many types of GPS devices, purchasing hardware should be viewed as a concierge service. It is more helpful to have someone an industry expert consult you. Think about it this way, you wouldn’t sign up for the software service part of telematics without making sure it was the right fit for your needs, would you? It is the same concept with the GPS tracking devices themselves. While they may seem standard, all GPS tracking devices are made for different types of vehicles and equipment, as well as to support different software functionality. Blindly purchasing devices online without consultation will almost guarantee that you purchase the wrong type of device. If the provider does not allow for a full money back return, you will be out the cost of the wrong devices as well as the cost of the correct device you will need to purchase. No one knows your fleet better than you do and no one knows more about telematics technology than the experts at these companies, so work together to make sure you are getting what you need.

GPS tracking hardware is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so be wary of a GPS telematics provider that points you to their website to order your GPS devices.

Implementation

The old adage, “you get what you pay for,” applies very much to telematics. Business consumers of telematics are often dazzled with phrases such as “free hardware,” and “free installation.” Telematics providers are saying this because they offer a simple plug-n-play device that you place into your OBD II port, which anyone can do and does not require professional installation. Alternatively, their monthly price is higher or your contract length is longer to incorporate the cost and you end up spending more long term than with a one-time professional installation. You may also be paying less for lower quality service. Like a magician uses misdirection to make something disappear, many telematics providers do this to their prospective customers. When the time comes for a more complicated installation, these types of telematics companies fall short on helping you, the customer. Then you are left with devices or technology that doesn’t work because the installation went so poorly. Just remember, the cheaper option is often not the best option.

Customer Service

Have you ever had a problem with calling into technical support for a product? Maybe it was because the person had limited knowledge of the product, or because of a language barrier. This is the problem most businesses do not think about when selecting telematics providers and don’t realize it until they actually need it. Can you only call at certain times of the day, or on certain days for that matter? Some telematics providers are only available during normal 8-5 office hours, while some are available 24/7/365. Are you talking to someone within the continental U.S. or on the other side of the world? It is important to know whether the telematics provider you are vetting offers U.S.-based customer support, or if they outsource to a call center on the other side of the world. How quickly do they answer the phone? Make sure to at least answer these questions during the purchasing process, rather than after the fact.

There’s nothing worse than investing money into a technology to only find out later that it is not what you expected. These four major pain points you may not expect from telematics providers can be avoided. Read the fine print, to know if you’re signing up for an automatic renewal. Ask how the process of purchasing devices works. See if they offer professional installation to make sure it is done correctly. Find out what their customer service looks like, and if it meets your standards.

To find out how GPS Insight takes the pain out of telematics, or to request more information, give us a call at 877-477-2690.

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