GreenRoad's Fleet Leaders Survey shows that 57% of fleet leaders have "connected fleets" using Web-based fleet-management solutions. Twenty-eight percent of fleet leaders are actively using smartphones for fleet management today, and 8% are using iPads or tablet computers, the survey found.


Connected fleet technologies, defined as software-as-a-service solutions combined with smartphone and mobile technology enabled by high-speed connectivity, are growing at the expense of traditional standalone telematics solutions and PC-based software with no web access, according to GreenRoad. Only 41% of fleet leaders indicated they are still using PC-based software with no Web access, and only 12% are using proprietary handheld mobile devices.

The GreenRoad Fleet Leaders "Connected Fleet" Survey was conducted in February 2012 with 178 participants from a broad range of industries, fleet types and sizes. GreenRoad offers driver performance and safety management services using technology-based, personalized driver self-improvement techniques.

When asked about their future technology deployment plans, 31% of fleet leaders indicated they will be opting for web-based services, 25% plan to buy and deploy iPads or other table devices and 22% plan to purchase additional smartphones.

"The connected fleet has arrived," said Jim Heeger, chief executive of GreenRoad. "The data shows that web-based fleet management services are well on their way to displacing traditional, standalone telematic solutions."

"We can expect to see these trends accelerate as the technology continues to improve and fleet owners, operators and managers continue to experience the benefits of web-connected, mobile fleet management," continued Heeger.

As one respondent said, "it will become more and more necessary to manage fleet and driver operations while not [being] office-based."

Fleet Management Going Mobile

The survey also shows that mobile technology solutions are rapidly becoming a vital tool for fleet managers. Nearly one out of five (19%) of fleet managers are using smartphone or mobile apps to help manage fleets, and 37% of respondents expect to see an increase in the use of mobile apps for fleet management.

Fleet drivers are also increasingly using smartphones for fleet-related operations. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the fleet leaders surveyed said their drivers are using a job-specific smartphone or mobile app and 14% intend to increase driver smartphone and mobile app deployments. Overall, 51% of fleet leaders see their drivers as 'tech savvy' with the latest smartphone and mobile devices.