The connected vehicle is here

The connected vehicle is no longer simply an exciting concept. The fact is that it is here and it is set to change the way field technicians work forever.

While telematics has given us the opportunity to fully understand the vehicle, the connected vehicle allows us to essentially 'plug' our field engineer into that network, giving them access to pretty much everything they could need from their office network while on the road.

For those that get the set-up right to streamline their working practices, this could lead to huge increases in both efficiency for the company and a better work-life balance for our engineers — which, in turn, leads to greater staff retention.

Of course the challenge now is, how do we get it right? While the array of technology now available for our commercial vehicles is impressive, it can also be daunting, overwhelming and confusing.

Field service companies want their engineers to transition from vehicle to worksite as seamlessly as possible. They want their engineers to be able to take full advantage of the full functionality of a connected vehicle.

Some companies operating in specific verticals may need to provide a paper document to prove they have serviced a specific device. In that case, a printer in the van makes perfect sense. However, another company may be completely free, so a printer makes no sense.

While this is a rather obvious example, the fact is that both of these companies need to build the functionality of their connected vehicle around their specific workflows. What works for one will not work for another.

Considering this, it seems like there is a gap in the market for the emergence of an 'app store for the telematics industry', which makes it easy for field service operators to download apps and software that suits their specific needs. Therefore, the challenge has been laid for industry leaders in telematics to continue pushing the boundaries by working with developers and forging partnerships that enable the continued progress of technological solutions.

Change is coming quickly and we must be ready to adapt.

Irvin Gray has over 15 years' experience in B2B marketing with technology companies and is still looking for innovative ways to listen to the market, create excellent relationships, promote engagement and deliver exceptional value.