Technology is a fast-developing arena where newer and more efficient products and services are developed at a blistering pace.
The same can be said for vehicle tracking and telematics systems, which makes it vital to regularly ask whether your chosen system is still the best option for your family vehicle or even your fleet of company delivery vehicles.
“Your vehicle tracking system can literally mean the difference between life and death. Pinpoint accuracy has become increasingly necessary and recent advances in GPS technology have made geospatial information far more accurate and accessible than before,” says Wahl Bartmann, CEO of the Fidelity Services Group.
“Technology now provides greater accuracy in positioning, communicated using far better communications technology. The good news is that the latest hardware and firmware combinations allow for more data to be sent more often, at lower prices, than ever before.”
Bartmann says the month of October should serve as a valuable reminder to test any vehicle’s telematics system.
October was declared Transport Month in 2005. It is used to raise awareness on the important role of transport in the economy and to encourage participation from civil society and business, including the provision of a safe and more affordable, accessible, and reliable transport system in the country.
Bartmann says a key differentiator between various tracking systems is the accuracy and frequency in which it follows the movement of your vehicle.
“You want to be sure that your system tracks your movement in as close to real-time as is possible. When one considers a mere 15-second communications delay on a busy highway translates to 500m of distance travelled and a 60 second delay translates to 2km – then 15 seconds really does become the difference between life and death.”
Bartmann says knowing exactly where you are means accident alerts can be received in real time resulting in faster emergency dispatching where every second counts.
His company recently introduced Fidelity SecureDrive, which partners with Amber Connect to offer a massive South African coverage footprint. While a vehicle is moving, its location is updated on the mobile applications every two seconds providing true real-time live tracking.
Theft alerts or panic button activations similarly will save lives when response units are dispatched without delay, based on an accurate pinpoint location.
“If your device is older than 3 years then it is like having a 3-year-old cell phone – the latest features are just not available and could also mean the difference literally between life and death for you.”
It is worthwhile reviewing what you already have in your car or what you are considering buying. If your system is 3 years old, then chances are there is something more efficient and more reliable available to consider.
“Asking your telematics service partner some key questions could be the best investment in your security you have made. It starts with testing the system today to see if it still offers the kind of protection and monitoring that would make you feel comfortable,” concludes Bartmann.
