Geotab and Toyota Connected: An Alliance for a Data Driven Future
New collaboration is designed to enhance data and operational efficiency across regions and vehicle types says Sherry Calkins, SVP, Global Accounts at Geotab.
In June, Geotab announced a global business alliance with Toyota Connected. The objective is to bring together Geotab’s advanced telematics, Artificial Intelligence and data capabilities with Toyota Connected’s vehicle connectivity technologies in order to help solve critical global and regional issues, including driver shortages and aging populations.
Initially this alliance will focus upon specific use cases and regions, gradually expanding to other areas and organizations, with the overall goal of enhancing mobility services and provide a robust data ecosystem that better serves fleet customers.
To gain further insight into this alliance and what it means for the fleet industry, Fleet & Mobility interviewed Sherry Calkins, Senior Vice President, Global Accounts, at Geotab.
Fleet & Mobility: Can you tell us about how this alliance came about?
Sherry Calkins: This alliance has been years in the making. I will say that it really came about because of the need that we're experiencing globally-namely that fleets really need to connect to their vehicles, and they need that data to run their operations. Here in North America, as well as other parts of the world including Asia, Europe and Latin America, fleets operate different kinds of vehicles from different manufacturers and they run on data. In order to be able to have an operationally safe and efficient fleet, you need data. Toyota Connected has over the years, identified that they needed a partner that can help them bring this ecosystem to market—one that was able to support the varying needs of fleets and vehicle OEMs so that they can harness high quality data from each vehicle in operation. It was about finding a partner that was not only able to ingest and support their own connected vehicles through Toyota, but also, other vehicles from different OEM brands, employed in a range of different roles that they didn’t have existing connectivity with. Being able to leverage Geotab’s aftermarket hardware that’s designed to be compatible with different makes, models and types of vehicles including those with gasoline, diesel, hybrid and battery electric powertrains was considered essential and that’s really how it came together.
“You can’t have a safe, efficient fleet without having some type of connectivity to the vehicle, as well as being able to coach your drivers in real time.”
- Sherry Calkins, Senior Vice President, Global Accounts at Geotab
FM: Can you tell us a little about how Toyota Connected works and some of the benefits it provides?
SC: There are really three key points to it. We have G Fleet Plus, which is a Toyota connected platform and then there is our data ingestion gateway, Geotab ingestion, which G Fleet Plus connects with. This is where we bring in the data from different makes and models of vehicles, via our aftermarket white label device that Toyota Connected uses. We bring that data into our data ingestion gateway, and then, the third component that makes all of this come together is our Application Programming Interface (API) integration. This allows the data that's collected from our devices in those vehicles to flow through our gateway, be normalized, and then they can take that API into their G Fleet Plus platform and be able to surface all this data and insights to fleets. What’s unique about this platform is that it doesn’t just give fleets a dashboard, but fully integrates into their business. G Fleet Plus is an open platform, like Geotab, and it allows the businesses—the fleets that we and Toyota Connected work with, to take that data and integrate various parts of their business into the platform. It provides deep data insights and fleet managers can be notified on information rather than having to pull reports and watch a dashboard. It’s about having dynamic data that enables fleets to be proactive instead of reactive.
FM: Going forward, what do you think a partnership like this represents for fleet services not only here in North America but around the world?
SC: I think a partnership like this clearly shows the breadth and depth of the data that's needed in the fleet sector. Here in North America, we’ve certainly been a little ahead of trend than some other parts of the world, but the fact remains, today, you can’t run your business effectively without data. And. You can’t have a safe, efficient fleet without having some type of connectivity to the vehicle, as well as being able to coach your drivers in real time. Within that context, the relationship Geotab has with Toyota connected isn't different than the other 40 plus relationships we have with OEMs we have around the globe. OEMs are recognizing that, as their vehicles are becoming increasingly connected, there needs to be a platform to support that, and additionally, you also need be able to help support other types of vehicles too, even if they aren't connected. There are still a lot of OEMs that cannot support a connected vehicle with cloud ingestion etc. Therefore, having an aftermarket device installed in the vehicles, is something that will be needed going forward, especially when you get into different parts of the globe where they have nuanced vehicles you don’t traditionally see in North America, or Europe. Having a partnership with Geotab really allows fleets to get that depth and breath of data across all types of makes and models, including specialized, vocational and even off-road road vehicles and heavy equipment.
FM: Are there any specifics regarding the platform you would like to mention?
SC: I feel it’s important to stress that with this partnership, Toyota Connected is the data intelligence and connectivity division of Toyota Motor Corporation, not TMC itself. Also, it’s important to note that there are some variances between different regions in the world as it relates to the workforce, operating environments etc. In Japan for example, there are some serious challenges around an aging workforce and driver shortages. While we’re also starting to see some of those trends here in North America in Japan it’s currently more critical and as a result, there is a pressing need to be more efficient when it comes to fleet operations. And while challenges are different from region to region, the central factor is that partnerships in this industry are essential—particularly when you're talking the different types of fleets there are and the data they need to rely on. Whether it’s a fleet involved in the oil and gas industry, construction, forestry, HVAC repair, whatever it is, the needs are different and it takes a large amount of resources to support them. That’s one reason why you see different OEMs coming together to work with technology suppliers like Geotab. Some of these alliances are like the one we have with Toyota Connected, designed for deep integration, while others are at different stages with data ingestion. We’re also seeing more interest and deeper integrations happening when it comes to commercial vehicles, a trend that’s expected to continue.
FM: How do you see connectivity and data architectures like this evolving in the future?
SC: We can’t really have a discussion about data without talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). And I think that's where we're really going to see changes happening. We’re already seeing it happen with predictive analytics, especially around vehicle maintenance, and especially safety. Being able to definitively predict that a vehicle is going to have a breakdown, by having that AI atop of machine learning is a game changer for fleets. While none of us has a crystal ball regarding the future, what I will say that changes are coming and they are likely to be fast and on a global scale. I don’t think it’s going to be a question of one trend emerging in a specific region, say North America and then spreading gradually to other parts of the world. Instead, you’re going to see changes and trends happening across the globe simultaneously enabling businesses and fleets around the world to gain access to AI technology and the information they need to operate their fleets safely and efficiently.
