Business mileage capture and cost reduction tools are emerging as the prime needs of fleet operators from telemetry systems, according to In-Car Cleverness.

While contract hire companies are struggling to balance solutions that intelligently help them control fleet running costs and increasing demands from corporate clients for answers, research among 20 of the UK’s leading independent business fleet managers has revealed some of the key drivers in the race to optimise operational efficiency.

In-Car Cleverness has ranked the top five needs of operators in the UK. They are:

1. Accurate business mileage capture
2. Cost reduction tools
3. Management of duty of care responsibilities
4. Efficiency improvements
5. Accident detection with forensic analysis

While cost reduction options are among the most basic of requirements, fleet managers admit that advanced features, such as detailed after-incident forensics and ‘Fleet Link’ - which enables real-time remote vehicle diagnostics and e-scheduling - are gaining in importance as new business drivers.

Tim Eaves, commercial director of In-Car Cleverness, said: “We have already seen how those who are committed to delivering the right solutions that telematics ranks high in their thought patterns for 2013.

“Now we are starting to see the first signs that those operators with the foresight to think ahead are already crystallising what they want telematics to deliver for them.”