UK fleet businesses are falling behind big data strategies compared to the US, a new survey by Teletrac Navman finds, with just 8% applying big data analytics to help deliver their business operations.

Peter Millichap, UK Marketing Director at Teletrac Navman

Furthermore, only 13% are considering using big data analysis in the next twelve months, according the the survey data that was commissioned by Teletrac Navman – in stark contrast to the US, where 43% of organisations surveyed are either applying, or plan to apply, big data strategies in the next year.

By comparison, 28% US respondents felt big data had an important role in the future of fleets and consider it to be the biggest emerging technology in the industry, compared to just 18% of UK respondents.

Teletrac Navman concluded that the UK needs to, “try and pick up pace if it wants to stay ahead in today’s competitive marketplace”. Big data can provide fleet managers with information and the possibility to improve upon performance, safety, diagnostics and maintenance through the use of data analysis via telematics.

Commenting of the findings, Peter Millichap, UK Marketing Director at Teletrac Navman, said:

“We would advise UK fleet businesses to embrace big data as a real business solution. We now have access to a wealth of data at our fingertips which we can use to maximise productivity, reduce expenses, and lead the way in smarter decisions in the future of fleet management.

“Thanks to GPS fleet tracking and other data captured through telematics, fleets now have more data than ever before, which means those in the business can unearth both driver and vehicle patterns that can be used to improve all-round performance. From measuring driver behaviour, to the condition of equipment, big data analysis means fleet managers can optimise their business.

“Ultimately, big data tells fleet companies what they need to know, what they need to do and how they need to do it in order to be at the top of their game. We encourage UK companies to follow the US’s lead in approach.”