The RAC has launched a new connected vehicle solution, said to promise fleet savings in the face of mounting costs.
Dubbed ConnectOne, it’s designed to offer fleets a low-cost, flexible entry into telematics, on a rolling monthly contract with no tie-ins.
Rather than fleets having to ‘hard-wire’ units into vehicles, users simply plug the matchbox-sized ConnectOne device into their vehicles’ 12v sockets before pairing them with a compatible Apple or Android smartphone.
Within minutes, they can track each of their vehicles’ trips and locations as well gaining an understanding of each driver’s behaviour behind the wheel – all displayed via an intuitive smartphone or web-based app.
The data can be used to optimise routes taken by drivers as well as to coach staff on how to save fuel and reduce vehicle wear and tear – all of which can save money.
It’s particularly aimed at cost-sensitive businesses, grey fleet and short-term rental operators that have never explored connected technology before because of the cost and commitment required for traditional installed telematics services.
Thanks to a rolling 30-day contract with no long-term commitments, organisations only pay for the devices they use and can scale the service up or down as their requirements change.
ConnectOne’s ‘plug-and-play’ nature also means businesses whose driver numbers vary seasonally, such as courier firms and delivery companies, stand to benefit as boxes can be easily swapped between vehicles.
Organisations with ‘grey fleets’ can also benefit from data insights on business trips while enabling drivers tp switch off or disconnect the ConnectOne box when not working to protect their privacy.
And ConnectOne helps fleets stay HMRC-compliant by accurately logging vehicle mileages while its built-in timesheet and expense claim functionality cuts down on unnecessary administration. Operators can also geofence specific locations so they receive an alert when vehicles enter or exit them, making it easy to keep track of drivers returning to depots and to detect potential unauthorised vehicle use.
Nigel Humpherson, RAC’s head of commercial and connected solutions, said: “The vehicle insights that ConnectOne offers are rich, giving organisations large and small an excellent opportunity to both keep control of costs and to get a better understanding of how vehicles are being driven – insight that can be used to coach staff to become better drivers. After all, a safer driver is also a cheaper driver.”
