O2 has launched two new telematics products which are designed to help fleet managers understand more about their rental or lease fleets.

Built in partnership with Geotab, O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking can help companies reduce operational costs, enable real time remote vehicle monitoring and monitor driver behaviour.

David Taylor, managing director of machine to machine for O2 in the UK, said: “Telematics is now a must-have for all organisations looking for the most accurate data about their business vehicles.  

“Drive from O2 will help fleet decision makers achieve significant operating efficiencies.”

O2’s parent company, Telefónica has installed more than 500,000 telematics units worldwide.

He continued: “Through our partnership with Geotab we’re looking forward to expanding our existing relationships with fleets, leasing and rental companies to embrace fleet management.”

The two new products are added to the Drive from O2 portfolio and offer two different levels of vehicle tracking, enabling rental and leasing company fleet managers to choose the level of data they wish to see to control their fleets.

O2 Track and Go gives fleet managers the ability to track the location of the vehicle, both historically and in real time, as well as get live updates in case of an engine fault or if the vehicle has been  involved in an accident.

O2 Smart Tracking provides all the capability provided in O2 Track and Go as well as allowing fleet managers to instantly see other information such as the driving style of the driver, seat belt engagement and car mileage.

They can also track the vehicle’s fuel and oil levels, tyre condition and battery status. Fleet managers will also be able to see and understand engine diagnostic codes thanks to Geotab’s vehicle diagnostic code database. 

O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking use a discreet device, produced by Geotab, which can be quickly and easily installed into a vehicle’s on board diagnostics (OBD-II) port, either overtly or covertly. This also means it can be easily removed when a vehicle is de-fleeted and instantly becomes ready to install in a new vehicle. Geotab’s OBD-II devices have been deployed in more than 450,000 vehicles.

“Rental and leasing companies need reliable and secure fleet management solutions that are easy to install, manage and switch out as the fleet is changing rapidly,” concluded Neil Cawse, CEO of Geotab.

“We are excited and honoured to be selected to support O2’s telematics offering in the UK and look forward to help serve O2’s fleet customers with the most sophisticated end-to-end fleet management solution available.”