If you’re managing a fleet of vehicles – whether it’s 10 or 10,000 vehicles – the first question you should ask is:
What exactly do I look for in ship managers?
Is it speed control?
Monitoring fat?
Tracking the fridge?
Driver performance?
Tire pressure?
Or something more advanced like AI video?
Your answers shape the entire system from the sensors you choose to the software platform you rely on. Below is a clear, practical guide to the 7 steps a fleet owner should follow before building a reliable telematics ecosystem.
- Define Your Challenges and Goals
Before choosing hardware or software, determine what performance problems you need to solve:
- Driving too fast or hard
- Oil theft or unexplained consumption is decreasing
- Cold-chain inventory temperature control
- Monitoring long routes and delivery times
- Ensuring that vehicles only run during authorized hours
This is to assess your fleet needs… to identify the risks, behaviors, and cost areas you want to control. Clear objectives help set KPIs such as safety targets, fuel efficiency, and vehicle usage.
Your goals determine the sensors, connections, and platform features needed.
- Choose the Right Hardware
After defining your needs, select hardware that fits your fleet size and operating conditions.
Examples include:
- GPS tracking (easy and expensive)
- CANBus tracking (accurate vehicle data)
- Temperature sensors
- Door sensors, weight, and load
- AI driver cameras
Fleets often choose devices based on durability, accuracy, and ease of integration into their workflow. The goal is not just tracking… but improving security, compliance, and cost control.
Tracom’s hardware supports both basic GPS and advanced CANBus, making it adaptable to a variety of fleets.
- Communication Setup
Your telecom plan determines how reliably your data reaches the platform.
Other than video systems:
- Data usage is low
- Basic SIM packages are sufficient
For video or AI:
- Data usage is on the rise
- High data packages and strong installations are required
Most ships assess telecom needs based on route coverage, navigation, and timing requirements. A stable connection ensures that alerts, location updates, and video evidence are delivered without delay.
Choosing the right SIM prevents disconnections and data shortages.
- Installation and Support Structure
Installation quality is critical to accuracy and long-term reliability.
It depends on:
- Correct device placement
- Stable cables
- It avoids heat, vibration, and interference
Professional airlines follow consistent installation standards to ensure every vehicle is installed the same way, reducing future troubleshooting.
A support structure is important:
- The hardware supplier ensures proper installation
- The software provider configures the platform and validates incoming data
A strong support team minimizes downtime and ensures that issues are resolved quickly.
- Choose a Fleet Management Platform
Your platform should match the visibility and detail your work team needs.
A good FMS includes:
- Real-time tracking and trip history
- Custom reports
- Temperature monitoring and sensors
- Mobile applications
- Geofencing and routing
- Notifications via SMS, email, or forum
- Video and event management
Many fleets are looking to driver cards, maintenance reminders, and integration options (API/ERP) to centralize operations and reduce manual labor.
Safee offers modular features so fleet companies can use only what they need: Fuel, Temperature, Driver KPIs, Licensing, Video, and more.
- Driver Management
Driver performance is one of the biggest contributors to safety and operating costs.
Key elements include:
- Driver ID verification
- Risk scores are based on travel
- AI driver monitoring
- KPI dashboards for speeding, hard braking, fatigue, and distraction
- Reviewing warnings and video evidence
This information helps create a simple training workflow, allowing managers to review incidents with drivers and reinforce safe practices.
This reduces fuel wastage, accidents, and compliance risks.
- Effective Management
Your shipping platform should reduce workload…not increase it.
Must:
- Identify risky behaviors automatically
- Notify you only when action is required
- Apply speed, fuel loss, temperature, and unauthorized use laws
- Submit daily or weekly performance reports
This is called exception-based management, where the system filters out routine work and highlights only what needs attention. It keeps managers focused and avoids data overload.
A strong fleet management ecosystem requires clear goals, the right hardware, reliable phones, clean installations, and a platform that supports your operational goals.
Safee and Tracom together provide:
- Solid, intuitive hardware
- A flexible platform that grows with your fleet
This integrated solution gives fleet managers the visibility, security, and cost control they need to operate efficiently.
