The history of fleet digitisation
A story of revolutionary transformation—from 1960 to today
As Webfleet celebrates 25 years at the forefront of fleet innovation, it’s a good time to look back–way back. So, before we start analysing the most exciting and influential trends in 2024, let’s look at a little history.
The last 60 years have seen mobility transform at a startling pace, revolutionising the way the world moves, and the way fleet businesses get the job done. It’s a story of innovation, adaptation and radical technological advancement.
1960s
A fleet business in the swinging sixties would look rather strange to the fleet manager of today…
Vehicle usage, maintenance schedules, driver info—all logged in heavy paper files and stored in metal cabinets. Routes are plotted with road atlases. As for the driver, he navigates using nothing but his well-worn map and his hard-earned experience.
Meanwhile, in 1964, the US Navy launched TRANSIT, the first operational satellite navigation system, primarily used to track submarines. The fleet manager and driver communicating via crackly two-way radio might not know it, but something just happened that will change their industry forever.
1970s
Mainframe computers appear in the offices of large companies. The data, however, is entered in batches at the end of every week and fleets rely on mountains of paperwork.
Meanwhile, in 1971, the first ever email was sent between two computers on the ARPANET—the first operational packet-switching network. And, in 1973, the US Department of Defence initiated the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) programme.
1980s
Now things are warming up…
Thanks to the personal computer (PC), it’s not just big businesses digitising parts of their admin. The range of two-way radios improves, and some fleets equip drivers with brick-sized mobile phones. Digital maps, electronic driver logs and the early Geographic Information System (GIS) all come into play.
US President Ronald Reagan authorises civilian access to GPS. And, in 1985, the ETAK Navigator, the world’s first car navigation system, is launched
1990s
In 1991, a pivotal moment: the World Wide Web is opened to the public. An information system that enables content sharing over the internet in a user-friendly way, it offers a universe of thrilling new possibilities for people, businesses and fleets.
Then, in 1995, another major milestone: the GPS system reaches Full Operational Capability, with 24 satellites providing real-time vehicle positioning on a global scale.
As the decade goes on, vehicle maintenance scheduling, fuel management, driver logs and more are increasingly being handled on PCs. Those file cabinets are getting smaller and smaller…
In 1999, in Leipzig, Germany, a startup called Datafactory AG launches Webfleet—one of the world’s first web-based fleet management solutions. Fleets access cutting-edge technology without local installation, bringing a level of scalability never before possible.
2000s
This decade brings innovation after innovation. Enhanced GPS tracking improves decision-making, while turn-by-turn navigation reduces travel time and fuel consumption. Mobile devices improve communication. Real-time traffic data and advanced route optimisation drive efficiency.
Automated fuel monitoring, real-time data on vehicle health, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)—these and more breakthroughs see fleet management evolve into something like the real-time, data-driven process we know today.
2001
Webfleet, Blaunpunkt and Siemens join forces to launch one of the first connected navigation systems that integrates tracking with two-way driver communication.
2005
TomTom acquires Datafactory, combining the Webfleet fleet management solution with LINK devices. With connected navigation and order management, fleet businesses get a massive range of new insights to make smarter decisions, faster.
2006
With the launch of TomTom WORK, Webfleet becomes Europe’s leading fleet management solution.
2010s
Smartphones are widely adopted across the world, spurred on by lower prices, improved hardware, a growing ecosystem of innovative apps and an expanding mobile internet infrastructure. The impact on mobility is huge. Real-time navigation is enhanced and communication between drivers and fleet managers has never been smoother.
Real-time data on vehicle and driver performance changes the approach to road safety and fuel efficiency. Predictive maintenance, automated maintenance scheduling and remote diagnostics all extend vehicle lifespans.
2010
Webfleet’s PRO 7100 and 9100 Driver Terminals offer improved route guidance and speedier route calculation.
2015
Webfleet launches OptiDrive 360, a complete approach to help drivers continuously improve performance.
2018
The Webfleet platform is rebuilt with a dynamic new product line up and a fresh intuitive interface. Businesses have a truly advanced, customisable and user-friendly fleet management platform.
2019
Webfleet becomes part of Bridgestone. Alongside Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyres, advanced tyre solutions and retail network, Webfleet is now a key component of an end-to-end fleet proposition. Webfleet launches OptiDrive 360, a complete approach to help drivers continuously improve performance.
2020s
... and beyond
Today, digitisation continues to make fleet management operations safer and smarter.
As battery technology has one breakthrough after another, the ranges of electric vehicles get bigger while the price tags get smaller. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the mobility sector, with the potential to transform the role of a fleet manager as completely as GPS and the internet have over the last few decades. Big data, autonomous vehicles, 5G, connected tyres - all of these technologies and more are combining to propel us to new levels of efficiency and sustainability.
The mobility world has certainly come a long way from the paper and pen processes of six decades ago to the sleek interfaces, precise, actionable reports and instant communication of today.
But the transformation is just beginning. This report puts the current trends in fleet digitisation under the microscope to illustrate how your business can best reap the benefits of digitisation while avoiding the challenges. It will also look forward to how the rapid pace of innovation will shape the mobility world of tomorrow.
2020
Webfleet’s EV fleet management solution enables users to spot which vehicle in their fleet could be switched with an electric model, monitor their ICE vehicles alongside their EVs and craft an efficient charging strategy.
2021
Webfleet adds new capabilities made possible by technologies like AI and IoT. The Webfleet Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) utilises tyre sensors to collect vehicle data that helps reduce downtime and improve safety, while the Webfleet CAM 50 AI-enabled dashcam safeguards drivers and cargo with predictive alerts and a new level of insight into critical events.