Telematics is set to become a significant disruptor to the South African motor insurance market over the next decade and it is very likely to impact pricing methods across the industry.

A 2015 Telogis report looking at the convergence of technology and business management identified key trends pertaining to fleet management for the year. According to the report, “customer expectations will continue to evolve. An increasing percentage of a mobile enterprise’s customers will expect more: more accurate ETAs, online real-time tracking of their service request, flexibility in meeting change requests or strict time windows, faster deliveries.

While the report covers the US market, these characteristics overlay most economies of today with nowhere to hide from technology adoption - and South Africa’s developed Telematics market is no exception.

The technological potential of telematics continues to increase at astounding rate for OEMs that are able to quickly recognize how telematics can vastly enhance their traditional product-based value propositions. Those that hope to adapt their business /organizational models to deliver against these promises stand to gain competitive advantage relative to those that are slower to adapt, including the potential to materially shift market share even in tired and otherwise mature segments.

For fleet operators, the ability to acquire and process vehicle information is crucial in order to make informed decisions. This is not only results in cost savings, optimized driver behaviour and effective route planning but also allows dynamic, life-saving accident management.

This second annual conference is a follow up on the 1st conference that took place in September 2014. Feedback received from delegates who attended the last year’s event suggested better partnership modes, enabling technologies as well as takes from other key players in the industry amongst others.

As vehicle telematics systems become universal, progressive, in step with their fleet management colleagues, will turn to telematics data.

It is against this background that this conference is organized. It will provide an opportunity for OEMs to be able to meet the technological demands within their in-house systems and processes.

Outcomes

It is a two-day conference and it is expected to bring 60-80 delegates under one roof delegates and experts from automotive, telematics, telecommunications, and insurance industry.