What is Telematics?
What is telematics and how does it work?
Real-time visibility, compliance, and cost control — powered by Geotab and delivered by Cooler.
Telematics uses GPS and onboard vehicle data to track and monitor commercial fleets in real time, giving you clear visibility, control, and insight into performance.
Need world class telematics for your vehicles? Call 07 3848 6979, email info@cooler.au, or reach out to us online to book a discussion.
How telematics works
Data capture
A device in the vehicle collects GPS location, speed, engine data, and driver behaviour.
Data transfer
Information is sent to the cloud in real time.
Visibility & control
Data is shown in a fleet platform, giving you tracking, trip history, faults, fuel use, and maintenance alerts.
Actionable insight
Use the data to improve safety, reduce costs, and keep your fleet running efficiently.
DATA
Open platform, designed to integrate with other systems
Modern telematics is built on open platforms, allowing you to integrate hardware, software, and apps to extend capability and improve efficiency.
Common integrations include:
- Dash cameras
- Temperature monitoring equipment
- Electronic logging (ELDs)
- Dispatch and route optimisation
- Mobile forms and workflows
- Remote diagnostics
- Weather and alert systems
Who is Telematics for?
Telematics gives fleet operators real-time visibility, control, and efficiency.
Track performance, improve safety & compliance, and reduce operating costs across your fleet.
- Refrigerated Transport Operators
Temperature monitoring, cold chain compliance, real-time alerts - Food & Beverage Distribution
GPS tracking, delivery integrity, route optimisation - Fleet Operators
Fleet tracking, driver behaviour, fuel & utilisation - Government & Council Fleets
Asset tracking, compliance reporting, driver safety - Service & Logistics Companies
Real-time tracking, dispatch efficiency, reduced downtime
History of telematics
Telematics combines telecommunications (sending data) and informatics (processing data).
It became practical with the development of GPS in the 1960s, originally used to track military assets. Today, telematics is built on three core technologies:
- GPS (location tracking)
- Internet (data transfer)
- Machine-to-machine communication (vehicle-to-system data)
These technologies now power modern fleet systems, from vehicle tracking to driver monitoring and diagnostics.
Benefits of telematics
Telematics helps manage fleets more effectively across key areas:
- Productivity — real-time tracking, routing, and job visibility
- Safety — driver behaviour monitoring and incident alerts
- Fleet performance — maintenance tracking, fault detection, fuel usage
- Compliance — logging, inspections, and reporting
- Integration — connects with other systems and tools
- Sustainability — reduces fuel use and supports EV management
What telematics helps you answer
- Where are my vehicles right now?
- Are drivers operating safely?
- Where are we losing time or fuel?
- Which vehicles need maintenance?
- How can we run the fleet more efficiently?
Where it’s used
Telematics is now standard across commercial fleets, including:
- Transport and logistics
- Refrigerated transport (cold chain)
- Service trades (HVAC, plumbing, electrical)
- Construction and heavy equipment
- Delivery and courier fleets
- Government and utilities
