Cost reduction, accurate fuel monitoring, driver behaviour and operating more efficiently have all been cited as key focuses for fleet and field services as we emerge from 2012, and the adoption of telematics technology, according to Trimble, is the key to achieving this.

The role of telematics in insurance policies was a major talking point in 2012 and will be even more so in 2013, as businesses look to both monitor driver behaviour and reduce insurance premiums, which have been steadily rising in the last decade. Telematics offer managers visibility of how employees are driving, allowing them to implement appropriate strategies that help improve their driving behaviours. These strategies create significant reductions in the frequency and cost associated with driver damage and Third Party collisions.

Mark Forrest, managing director, of Trimble's Field Service Management (FSM) division says, "There are a multitude of solutions available to help streamline fleet and field service operations. The challenge now is educating organisations on the extended benefits such technologies can deliver and helping them to overcome any reluctance to invest, due to economic hard times. Fundamentally, enabling drivers to do their job more efficiently, effectively and safely through the deployment of telematics technologies facilitates lower cost and better service, leading to long-term success for the entire business."

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