Telematics providers can differ in many ways, including the capabilities of their solutions and the suitability of those solutions to various industries. One important area in which providers also differ is in their approach to installing the solution. While some providers have networks of dedicated telematics installers who should be able to handle most every installation challenge, others leave installation up to customers.
For multiple reasons, it’s better to have dedicated professionals do your installation. Providers, however, can be fast and loose with the language they use to describe their installers, masking the fact that their installers aren’t dedicated specialists or lack the training or expertise that define true professionals.
So, how can you tell the best installers from the rest? Ask these questions to get the answers you need.
Are your installers dedicated installers? Some, but not all, telematics solutions providers use dedicated specialists – professionals whose entire job is installing telematics systems and similar solutions. These installers tend to more knowledgeable, have more experience, and are better able to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
How are they trained? Given the complexity of many installations, including those involving mixed fleets of various vehicles and assets, knowledge and experience matters. Many providers will have installers who have completed The Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Program, an internationally recognized credential that certifies mobile technology installation professionals. The certification requires six months to a year of hands-on experience and passing a rigorous exam.
While this certification is common, but not universal across the telematics industry, be sure to ask if your provider uses MECP certified installers. You don’t want green installers cutting their teeth on your installation – a particular concern for mixed fleets.
When will they do the work? Uptime is critical for your fleet. So, you’ll want to be able to ensure that the telematics provider you choose can work with you to complete the installation on a schedule that keeps your equipment off the road or the job for as little time as possible.
What tools will they have at their disposal? The outcome of a successful installation is that the telematics system is successfully up and running and all your vehicles and assets are connected and delivering data about your fleet. The best telematics providers will arm their installers with a testing tool – built right into the fleet tracking app – that confirms the successful connection of all the telematics hardware devices and identifies any devices that require additional attention or troubleshooting.
It’s About One Thing
Getting access to the best, most capable telematics installation companies boils down to just one thing: choosing the right telematics system snd the right provider. Not all providers are the same, just as their solutions – and their installers – aren’t the same.
You’ll want to figure the capability of the provider’s installers into your buying decision when it comes to your telematics investment.