What is telematics and why it matters for your fleet

3 mins read

December 2023 production model shown. Final specifications and features may differ from those depicted.

Telematics technology gives you a clear view of what’s happening across your fleet. It combines cellular network tracking, vehicle diagnostics and mobile connectivity, to turn everyday activities – like where your vehicles are and how they’re being driven – into handy insights.


The result? You’re empowered to make smarter, faster decisions for your business, leading to a safer and more efficient fleet.

Knowing how telematics works – and how Toyota Halo[C17] brings it all together – can make a big difference to your business, no matter your fleet size. Whether you're focused on lowering fuel costs, improving safety or cutting back on manual admin work, it’s all about having the right information at the right time.





Discover the world of fleet telematics

 

What is fleet telematics?

Whether you’re new to fleet management or looking to take your operations to the next level, you’ve probably asked yourself “what are telematics?” or “what is telematics in a vehicle?” Put simply, it’s a smart system that helps you know what your fleet is doing in real time, even when you’re not behind the wheel.

It does this by transforming data from your vehicles into useful insights through a combination of cellular network tracking, onboard vehicle diagnostics and wireless communication.

Modern telematics systems are powerful and intuitive, and that’s because the technology that makes it possible has been developed over decades. One of its earliest forms was simple satellite tracking that let you know where your vehicles were. Now, it’s evolved into a smart, integrated system that can help you manage safety, fuel efficiency, maintenance and more.


How telematics systems are built

A typical telematics setup includes:

  • hardware installed in the vehicle – like a black box or plug-in device
  • software, such as Toyota Halo, that interprets and displays the data
  • connectivity (usually cellular) to send that data to a central dashboard

Once the data is collected, key information from the vehicle like speed, location or engine status flows into a central system. This information is then organised and fed back to you as easy-to-read dashboards and reports, helping you identify trends, get real-time alerts and make informed decisions.



How does vehicle telematics work for fleet tracking?

Toyota Halo puts telematics technology to work across your fleet by combining in-vehicle hardware, mobile connectivity and smart dashboards to give you insights into your vehicles and drivers in real time. We’ll break down how this system works one step at a time.


Real-time data, directly to your dashboard

The moment your vehicle is on the move, your telematics system begins to collect data and to send it to the cloud using a secure mobile network. This is what enables Toyota’s vehicle tracking system – a way for you to view where your vehicles are, how they’re performing and if anything needs your attention.


Your Toyota Halo dashboard

Your Halo dashboard acts as your command centre where all the information about your fleet is stored. It’s here that you can access reports on trips taken, driving routes and behaviour, and set up custom service alerts. Every fleet owner has a different preference – some want the full picture, while others just need key updates. So, we’ve built our system to allow you to customise what you see and how often you’re notified.


Stay connected on the go

We’ve designed Toyota Halo’s telematics system[C17] to be mobile-friendly, so it’s easy to access your fleet data from your phone or tablet. That means you can check on jobs, respond to alerts or monitor performance even if you’re on the go.


Get to know Toyota Halo


October 2024 production model shown. Final specifications and features may differ from those depicted.

Discover the key features of Toyota’s telematics system

 

Smarter routes and clearer oversight with cellular network fleet tracking

Keeping tabs on your vehicles isn’t about micromanaging – it’s so you know what’s happening across your fleet, helping you make smarter, more confident business decisions. With cellular network fleet tracking through Toyota Halo, you’ll ensure your team’s in the right place at the right time.


Track the whereabouts of every vehicle and monitor driver behaviour:

From HiLux utes heading to site visits to HiAce vans juggling multiple deliveries, live tracking can make all the difference. It’s a simple way to stay on top of jobs and response times, and keep customers updated. And by tracking driver behaviour, you’ll enjoy better visibility into how your vehicles are being used.


Know when vehicles arrive, leave or go off-route

You can also set up geofences – virtual boundaries around locations like job sites or delivery zones. If a vehicle enters or exits them, you’ll get a notification. It’s a handy way to keep jobs on schedule and monitor movement after hours.


Safer driving and smarter insights

Our driver monitoring tools put safety first, alerting you to instances of speeding, harsh braking, or sharp cornering. Over time, this can help you spot trends, give drivers helpful feedback and improve driver safety across your fleet.


Get the full picture at a glance

Our customisable fleet dashboard gives you a clear view of your operations. The desktop and mobile app for iOS brings real-time data and easy-to-read visuals together in one place. From fuel readings to driver performance, our smart fleet reporting makes it easier for you to spot trends, and make confident decisions faster.


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Big benefits for all business sizes

 

No matter your fleet size, you can get more out of every vehicle with a good fleet management system. If you’ve got a small fleet, the benefits of telematics are all about visibility and control – with tools like live tracking and maintenance alerts that make it easier to stay on top of daily operations.

As your fleet grows, so do the benefits. If you’ve got a medium-sized fleet, you can use telematics to offer oversight, reduce admin, and improve driver safety at scale.

And for large fleets, the ability to monitor performance across locations, automate reporting and manage risk becomes even more valuable. You’ll have the flexibility to easily scale up without losing oversight – and save yourself time.





How to implement telematics the right way

 

Whether you’re just beginning your fleet telematics journey or upgrading from a basic system, getting the setup right from the start makes all the difference. We’ll walk you through our telematics implementation guide step by step, to ensure you get the most out of this innovative technology.

Step 1: Understand your fleet’s needs

No two fleets are the same. Start by considering your goals – whether that’s cutting fuel costs, improving driver safety, making reporting easier, or all of the above. You’ll need to think about the size of your fleet, how often your vehicles are on the road and what kind of insights would be most valuable for your business needs. That way, you’ll choose the features and data that make a real difference.

Step 2: Set your business up for success

As a Fleet Manager, you’ll know good planning pays off. Think about who will manage your system day to day, how you’ll train your team, and what regular processes may change. The good news? You’re not alone – our team will work closely with you to get everything running smoothly from the start.

Step 3: Bring your team along

One of the biggest hurdles can be getting your team on board. It’s important to help your drivers understand that this system isn’t about watching them, but about safer driving, reducing downtime and making their day run more smoothly. Starting small can help too. Test your setup, listen to their feedback and scale gradually once your team’s on board and confident.

Step 4: Make sure your timeline is realistic

You don’t have to roll out everything overnight. Phasing your approach – especially if you have a larger fleet – can be less disruptive and make it easier to make any necessary adjustments to your setup. Chat to our team about building a flexible, reliable rollout plan that fits your business.


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How to track your return on investment

 

If you're thinking about investing in a telematics system, it's only natural to ask whether the numbers will stack up. Get your setup right and the cost of fleet telematics is often outweighed by long-term savings, streamlining your operations and helping you make smarter calls for your business.

Telematics costs will depend on the size of your fleet and whether you go with plug-in devices or factory-fitted hardware. Great news – with Toyota Halo, support and training are available to help you get the most from the system. Plus, we offer both monthly or annual payment plans, so you can find the one that works best for your business and budget.

A smart telematics setup can help you:

  • lower the risk of accidents by supporting safer driving
  • save time on admin with automated reports and digital logbooks

To see whether your investment is paying off, keep an eye on key performance indicators like:

  • fuel levels
  • time off the road for maintenance
  • driver safety scores
  • on-time deliveries or jobs
  • any incidents or insurance claims

Tracking these can show the impact telematics is having on your business over time – and help you make the case for growing your setup.

Many businesses start seeing value early on, especially when they focus on just one or two areas to improve. Others might see impact over time as they build up their system. Either way, our systems are designed to deliver meaningful, ongoing results – not just quick wins.


Get to know Toyota Halo


Smarter tools, better support with Toyota Halo

 

Toyota fleet management through Halo is designed to make life easier. With telematics, you get timely tracking, safety monitoring, vehicle health alerts, and reporting – all through one simple system that’s built to support your business, however you run it.

Our Toyota Halo system is built for Toyota vehicles, so you’ll enjoy better integration, local support from our team and features designed with fleets like yours in mind.




What’s next for your business

 

You should now have a clearer picture of how telematics through Toyota Halo works and how it can help your business. With the right setup in place, you’ll be ready to make smarter, more informed decisions everyday, on every drive. Our capable team is on hand to make that happen, so get in touch to set up a demonstration with us today.


Get to know Toyota Halo

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