There is a war about to erupt among fleet telematics suppliers with one major player predicting it will take the number one position within months.

“Our aim is that within 18 months we will be number one in the vehicle asset management market place,” Bill Raynal, managing director of Tracker told Fleet News.

Modifying its stolen vehicle tracking system to provide fleets with a management system has allowed Tracker to offer its vehicle asset management (VAM) technology since 1999.

However, now that the company is wholly owned by Royal Bank of Scotland, it has access to a massive fleet market through the bank’s vehicle lease business.

“We will absolutely be looking to win business with RBS lease customers, but the proposition to them will be equally as competitive and comprehensive as that we offer all of our customers,” explained Mr Raynal.

To attract new fleet customers, the company plans to launch its new VLU6 systems next year, which combines and enhances its telematics and vehicle tracking technology.

“We will be targeting fleet VAM in a big way,” said Mr Raynal. “Most of our business is with SMEs, but we expect that to change.”

Currently there are 26,000 fleet vehicles with Tracker fitted.

“We are looking at ways to help fleet managers buy the system and we are exploring contracts that will not tie fleets in for a long time,” he said.

“The key here is…to create long lasting relationships that aren't purely based on subscriptions.”

But Tracker has stiff competition for lucrative fleet management telematics deals.

Navman Wireless has just appointed a new research and development chief to help it “shape the future” of the telematics industry.

“Navman Wireless has taken a number of steps in the past year to position itself for significant growth,” said the company’s new development chief Paresh Nagda.

“Its renewed focus on fleet management technology, combined with its emphasis on R&D and product innovation, positions it well to gain both market share and a broad new range of customers.”

Trimble Mobile Resource Management has just launched its first vehicle diagnostics solution into Europe.

While its vehicle tracking system allows fleet managers to see what their vehicles and drivers are doing, the diagnostic tool enables managers to drill down and see exactly how well their vehicles are working, with reports of potential problems transmitted in real time directly from the vehicle.