An increasing number of fleets are turning to telematics to help reduce costs and monitor vehicle activity.

Independent health club operator, Bannatyne Fitness is now using satellite vehicle tracking from Masternaut Three X to monitor and manage its fleet of maintenance and service vehicles.

As well as improving driver safety, the live-tracking will also assist in reducing fuel consumption.

The fitness company signed a five-year contract with Masternaut to supply its Three X service on a monthly leased contract. Initially the telematics system will be fitted to eight company cars and vans.

In addition, painting and decorating contractor, Bagnalls, has rolled out Masternaut’s web-delivered satellite tracking service across its 115-vehicle fleet.

The Internet-based service comes into play as soon as a painter leaves for site. Stops en route are also logged. The always-on system also helps monitor the safety and security of painters working in remote areas on storage tanks and pipelines.

“It is very reassuring to know precisely where each vehicle is at any one time,” said MD Stephen Bagnall.

The company is also using the service to help deliver its environmental target of reducing miles travelled by 20%, by providing route and journey planning and with assigning painters from the most appropriate local office. It can also now compare mileage of each vehicle against fuel usage.