In April, Crown Commercial Service (CCS) launched the latest iteration of their agreement for vehicle telematics. Fleet managers in local government can use this agreement to lease, hire or buy vehicle telematics solutions such as vehicle tracking, surveillance, and data extraction. This was no doubt welcome news to everyone looking to make their fleet operations much more efficient.

Vehicle telematics hardware and software solutions are used to collect data about the vehicle it is fitted to and how it is driven. The data produced ranges from location tracking and fuel consumption to speed and movement and how a vehicle is being driven. It is essential for fleet operators looking to, say, reduce carbon emissions or improve driver behaviour.

The full range of telematics products and services available under the new Vehicle Telematics Solutions [RM6315] agreement will allow fleet managers to better analyse the use of their vehicles and make informed, evidence-based decisions in the management of their fleet.

The full scope of products and services available under this agreement is set out in the framework specification. This includes solutions such as:

• telematics data extraction devices and solutions, such as On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), Can-Bus, plug-in devices and smartphone solutions

• in-cab devices such as monitors, cameras and dash-cams

• external cameras and CCTV

• asset and vehicle tracking software

• route planning software

• event video recorders and incident data recorders

• solutions for specialist and heavy vehicles including waste management or winter maintenance

• workforce and/or fleet management optimisation solutions (devices and software)

• driver and risk management solutions such as driver ID and driver benchmarking

• products or services for covert operations and/or blue light related fleet and incident management.

The key benefit to customers of telematics solutions is the use of real time vehicle data to support the management of risk and efficient fleet management. These benefits can result from using the vehicle data to identify, implement and manage initiatives designed to improve driver behaviour and compliance with fleet policy. For example, by using tracking solutions like driver ID and automated driver benchmarking, customers can improve the on-road behaviour of their drivers, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage.

The new agreement replaces the current Vehicle Telematics Hardware and Software Solutions [RM6143] agreement, which expired on 23 April 2024. It is similar to its predecessor in terms of scope and scale but with the introduction of a new single-lot structure that offers all available products and services in one place. According to CCS, this allows buyers to more easily identify the solution that suits them and provides a simpler procurement journey.

Tammy Carter, Head of Fleet at CCS, explained: ‘We’re delighted to launch our newest vehicle telematics agreement, offering a simple and efficient route to market that gives public sector customers access to sustainable, safety-conscious solutions that enable value through fleet optimisation. It is another example of the additional value CCS offers its customers in connecting them with the solutions they need.’

Sustainability remains a key focus, with vehicle analysis tools helping customers to achieve their carbon reduction goals by improving fuel efficiency and informing their approach to the transition to zero-emission vehicles. The majority of suppliers (90%) awarded places on the agreement are also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The new agreement will run for two years, until it expires on 4 March 2026.

Steve Thomas, the Managing Director of Inseego UK Ltd, one of the suppliers named on the framework, said: ‘The public sector is under huge cost and service pressures, so our aim is to deliver advanced telematics solutions to help organisations overcome many of the fleet challenges they face.

‘We are extremely pleased to be awarded a place on this latest CCS framework, which reflects our position as a proven supplier to UK government departments, agencies and public bodies within the UK.’

He added: ‘Central government and the wider public sector will have continued access to our range of fleet and video telematics hardware and software, including the latest tracking, fleet management, driver performance, dashcam and multi-camera solutions. All our feature-rich systems are highly effective and simple to use, making them ideal for organisations looking to improve fleet safety and performance.’

This article first appeared in the Summer issue of LAPV. To subscribe for free click here.