10 Popular Fleet Telematic Systems in North America & How They Differ - Pitstop

10 Popular Fleet Telematic Systems in North America & How They Differ

03 May 2023

Read time: 8 min

The trucking industry is almost unrecognizable from what it was like ten, even five, years ago.

The first generation of fleet telematics actually appeared thirty years ago, but with the growth of connected cars, IoT, and trucking mandates requiring companies to keep a digital log of routes and trips, more and more players are entering the fleet telematics ecosystem. This type of technology has quickly become one of the most critical pieces to running a competitive fleet and can address many challenges modern fleet managers face. But choosing the right one for your fleet can take time and effort.

That’s why we put together this overview of some of North America’s larger fleet telematics systems (FTS) and how they may differ!

As a partner to many fleet telematics providers, Pitstop believes that there is not a one-size fits all solution, as each fleet has its own workflow and requirements. However, each telematic provider also brings its own unique integration capabilities. This list addresses some of the differentiating features and benefits of each compiled through research and customers’ feedback! Please note this is by no means a conclusive list of all of the offerings out there! The team at Pitstop will continue to update this as more research and players come out.

  1. Geotab
  2. Samsara
  3. Verizon Connect
  4. Omnitracs
  5. Trimble
  6. Zonar
  7. Motive
  8. Fleet Complete
  9. Intellishift
  10. Platform Science

1. Geotab

An example of a company focused in telematics fleet management

Geotab, a next-door neighbor to Pitstop located just outside of Toronto in Oakville, Canada, offers its customers a wide variety of telematics fleet management features:

  • Are customizable to unique company needs but take some configuration, work with all asset classes, and offers full ELD compliance
  • Data and apps (has strong marketplace partnerships) are open and flexible where the possibilities are endless
  • The platform is sold through “resellers,” who are effectively distributors, which creates an extensive ecosystem of valuable business-focused solutions
  • Configuration takes some effort to get customized to a fleet.
  • Keep you informed about your drivers and your fleet with driver behavior management
  • Enabling you to compare safety performance using a “Driver Scorecard”
  • ‘Idle Time’ charts can aid in increasing driver productivity, Geotab also provides data benchmarks on driver performance and fuel efficiency
  • Display “Risk & Safety Reports” in an easy-to-understand format, easily downloadable into excel-based reports
  • Assist in putting all the fleet information you require on a single screen
  • Track assets in real-time and manage trailers, containers, generators, and more.
  • Use your MyGeotab login to manage all of your fleet maintenance and diagnostic needs

Website: https://www.geotab.com/ 

Marketplace: https://marketplace.geotab.com/solutions/pitstop-connect/

2. Samsara

Samsara is one of the newest players in the industry but growing quickly. Their sleek fleet management solution includes cutting-edge telematics:

  • Offers full ELD compliance and works on all asset classes
  • Easy to set up and use as it’s standardized for most fleets
  • Their popular dashcam solution among customers offers live scene analysis and a built-in speaker for driver coaching
  • Track GPS location in real-time with an over-the-air view of tractors and trailers, smart map overlays, and geo-fencing
  • Offers simple tools and pre-built reports to manage compliance efficiency throughout your operations
  • Provides accurate real-time traffic information; handy dispatch tools transform precious data into rich reports and visualizations.
  • Transmit fault codes to assist with maintenance and prevent breakdown
  • Track carbon emissions, fuel, and energy consumption, and more

Website: https://www.samsara.com/ 

Marketplace: https://www.samsara.com/ca/resources/marketplace/pitstop/

3. Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect is one of the largest telematics providers in the United States. The platform is a combination of acquired solutions such as Fleetmatics, Telogis and Hughes telematics:

  • You can use advanced fleet tracking to monitor and manage your entire mobile workforce rather than just dots on a map.
  • Verizon’s solution is ideal for bundling your company’s Verizon services already, allowing your organization to receive better deals
  • Works on all asset classes and is ideal for any fleet size
  • Displays real-time driver performance so you can intervene when inappropriate behavior, such as speeding, occurs
  • Sets up mileage and service alerts to save money on maintenance
  • Shows near-real-time data to assist your team in avoiding traffic
  • Helps you control idle time and increase driver productivity
  • Enhances your operational safety and aid in the correction of bad driving habits
  • Allows for geofencing and ensuring that the vehicle is only used when you want it

Website: https://www.verizonconnect.com

4. Omnitracs

Acquired by Solera Fleet Solutions in 2021, Omnitracs has created a cloud-based, intelligent fleet telematics solution that helps organizations manage route planning and vehicle delivery:

  • Offers a full ELD-compliant solution for tracking fleet hours of service and adhering to FMCSA regulations
  • Focused on serving heavy-duty fleets using J1939 data link, including work trucks, fire trucks, and heavy equipment
  • Optimizes routes and uses planning, routing, and dispatch solutions 
  • Impacts business performance with data that has been given meaning by AI-enabled technology
  • SmartIQ transportation intelligence enables fleets to improve driver performance and optimize fuel economy
  • Insight into your mobile assets’ current status, condition, and location
  • Increases fleet productivity by tracking engine parameters
  • Insights into idle time that can help you save money on gas
  • Provides accurate electronic reports that keep you in compliance

Website: https://www.omnitracs.com/ 

5. Trimble

Trimble Fleet Management promises that its smart technology will transform your business. Their telematics technology enables them to provide the following services:

  • Optimize every aspect of your supply chain using intelligent analytics to assist you in monitoring your operations and bottom line
  • Data-driven insights to determine which of your drivers is likely to leave
  • Reports that aggregate data and present you with an interactive and comprehensive picture of your operations
  • Identify trends and address issues before they become problems
  • Insights to help you better manage your operating expenses
  • Anti-idling technology like fuel-operated air heaters to improve fuel efficiency and idle time
  • GPS visibility, event monitoring, and remote asset data are available on a near-global scale

Website: https://transportation.trimble.com/ 

6. Zonar

Zonar Systems places a strong emphasis on its telematic solutions. They were founded in 2001 to revolutionize pre and post-trip inspection by making electronically verified inspections to increase safety and reduce breakdowns:

  • Zonar has ELD solutions, including simplified HOS, so drivers can easily avoid violations
  • Caters to all asset classes for better safety, efficiency, and on-time performance
  • Anti-tampering technology detects interference; encrypted data and a private VPN protect privacy, and remote engine and system metrics are diagnosed
  • Using an “intelligent logging” algorithm, examine every aspect of vehicle activity
  • Reduces costs by increasing productivity by optimizing navigation, driver hours, and fuel efficiency
  • Tracks assets consistently and reliably and obtain precise location data
  • Captures driver activity and analyzes bad driving habits

Website: https://www.zonarsystems.com/ 

7. Motive

Based in Silicon Valley, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) is one of the largest companies that provide a complete telematics fleet management solution. Their telematics assists your company in the following ways:

  • Offers full ELD compliance with automated HOS, IFTA, and CSA management
  • Provides telematics solutions for all asset classes
  • The ability for real-time tracking of your vehicles, drivers, and assets
  • Access to smart, AI dash cams can help you reduce accidents and detect unsafe driving with high accuracy and speed
  • Notifies real-time alerts when trailers or equipment enter or exit a designated location. 
  • Compiles and analyzes intelligent reports using diagnostics that are easily obtained
  • Intelligent video telematics can improve driver safety
  • Records driver hours and instantly update logs
  • Track fuel consumption spending and save on every gallon with the Motive Card
  • Analyzes live data with dependable accuracy and dependability
  • Instantly share locations and communicate with your drivers’
  • Reduce your environmental impact with AI-powered insights and fleet fuel management
  • Track speed, fuel, fault codes, barometric pressure, battery voltage, coolant temperature, engine intake temperature, engine load, reefer temperature, and other parameters

Website: https://gomotive.com/ 

Marketplace: https://marketplace.gomotive.com/app/Pitstopconnect

8. Fleet Complete

The Canadian company Fleet Complete offers a fleet management solution that employs advanced telematics to:

  • Video telematics can improve driver safety
  • Focus on serving small-mid sized fleets (50-300 vehicles)
  • Record events so you can coach drivers and use the information for future training
  • Reduce the risk of road violations by providing in-cab driver behavior feedback
  • Allow drivers to record maintenance issues and report defects to your office team in real-time.
  • Removes the redundance of paperwork and instantly views driver ELD data
  • Maintains ELD compliance while optimizing load planning
  • Reduces your road risk and teaches poor driving habits
  • Protect your vehicles, extend their lifespan, and lessen the impact of wear and tear

Website: https://www.fleetcomplete.com/ 

9. IntelliShift

IntelliShift is a fleet intelligence platform that allows businesses with vehicle and heavy equipment fleets to access all fleet operations data from a single platform easily:

  • IntelliShift offers a full suite of FMCSA DOT compliance features, including ELD, HOS, and DVIR
  • They are suited for construction, utilities, field services, and last-mile delivery businesses.
  • Works with all vehicle classes, offering real-time GPS location, vehicle performance, diagnostic, and utilization data for your entire asset mix
  • Create a configurable view of your fleet that features multiple maps on one screen without the need to click around
  • Avoid costly insurance payouts with AI-powered dash cams, in-cab coaching, and driver scorecards

Website: https://intellishift.com/ 

10. Platform Science

Platform Science is an innovative player that offers telematics as a service via a platform-based approach. They provide solutions at every level to help fleets future-proof their operations, from the back office to the driver’s seat:

  • Certified for ELD compliance
  • Caters to serve large, heavy-duty truck fleets of 10,000+ vehicles
  • Assess your vehicles’ overall health and safety while they’re on the road with Engine Fault Code Monitoring
  • Manage your drivers’ safety and performance with real-time behavior monitoring tools
  • Total aggregate and individual idle event reports for each vehicle
  • Map-based tracking reports of vehicles and drivers in real-time or historically
  • Collection of driver apps to safely monitor odometers, notifications, and navigation
  • Real-time telematics to monitor fault codes, critical events, and driver behavior

Website: https://www.platformscience.com/ 

Pitstop Turns Telematics Data into Predictive Insights

Pitstop is a Fleet Maintenance Software that partners with fleet telematics system companies, like mentioned above, to predict downtime days in advance. With Pitstop’s power predictive insights, fleets can plan downtime, improving efficiency and significantly cutting costs. Powered by AI and our telematics partnerships, we predict and communicate vehicle failures, fault code prioritization, and vehicle maintenance requirements in real-time. Get started today.