Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services 2023-24 Edition

C.J. Driscoll & Associates has released a new multi-client marketing research study covering interest of U.S. fleet operators in Mobile Resource Management systems and services. The 2023-24 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services assesses fleet operator interest in GPS fleet and asset management systems, video-based driver behavior management systems, and solutions for managing mobile workers equipped with handsets or other portable devices. The study also assesses use and satisfaction with MRM solutions among large and small fleets in a wide range of categories.

The new 2023-24 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services was partially funded by 11 companies including EROAD, General Motors, Geotab, Great Dane, Lightmetrics, MiX Telematics, Penske Truck Leasing, SkyBitz, Spireon, Trimble, and Zonar Systems.

This comprehensive new study is based on a nationwide telephone survey of over 300 fleet operators. Survey participants were decision makers at fleets in a wide range of categories including service, local and long-haul common carriers, private delivery, utilities, construction, oil & gas, people transportation, public safety, and government fleets. The sample included fleets ranging in size from 5 vehicles to over 10,000 vehicles.

The study provides answers to a wide range of questions, including the following:

• What devices do drivers use to communicate with fleet managers and others?
• With which MRM suppliers are participating fleet operators familiar?
• By what percentage has the use of GPS fleet management, video camera-based, and handset/portable MRM solutions grown over the last six years and over the last ten years?
• What MRM suppliers are providing solutions to participating fleet operators?
  • What is the market share of each supplier in the principal feet categories covered in this survey?
  • How “sticky” are these solutions, i.e. how often do fleets switch to another supplier?
• What were the principal motivations for deploying:
  • A GPS fleet management system
  • A video camera based solution
  • Handset-based solutions
• What specific benefits have these solutions provided?
• What additional features or capabilities would fleet operators like to have incorporated in these solutions?
• How interested are fleet operators in specific features and capabilities such as monitoring driver performance, fuel card integration, route optimization, forward collision warning, remote vehicle diagnostics, and others?
• Have users of MRM solutions recouped their investment in these solutions, and, if so, how long did it take?
  • Are they able to quantify the financial benefit their company derives from using an MRM solution?
• How satisfied are fleet operators with OEM factory-installed remote vehicle diagnostics systems?
  • Are they willing to pay a subscription fee at the end of the period of free service?
• How Interested are participating fleets in tire monitoring and other ADAS solutions?
• Are participating fleets currently receiving an insurance discount for use of a GPS fleet management solution? If so, how much?
• Are participating fleets currently receiving an insurance discount for use of a camera-based driver behavior management solution? If so, how much?
• What percentage of participating fleet operators expect to deploy an MRM service in the next 12-18 months?
  • How will they select a supplier?
• What percentage of participating fleet operators, not currently using an MRM solution, expect to deploy an MRM solution at any time in the foreseeable future?
• What percentage of fleet operators do not expect to deploy an MRM solution in the foreseeable future, and why?
• How interested are fleet operators in solutions for monitoring trailers, containers, heavy equipment, or other assets?
• How do fleet operators obtain information about potential suppliers of MRM solutions?

The methodology for the study was a telephone survey of 301 U.S. fleet operators from a cross-section of fleet categories. Quotas were established to target participation by a sufficient number of large and small fleets, as well as fleets in specific categories.

All survey respondents were pre-screened to assure that they have primary or partial responsibility for decisions regarding the use of GPS fleet management or driver behavior systems for their fleets. Eighteen percent of the survey participants hold the title of Owner, Co-Owner, Chairman, CEO, President, COO, or General Manager. Among the other titles are Fleet Manager or Director; VP, Manager of Operations; Safety Manager, Risk Manager or Director.

The average length of this comprehensive survey was 39 minutes. Respondents were paid an incentive ranging from $50-100 to participate in the survey.

The 152-page report of the research findings includes the following:

• Overview of the study, including objectives and methodology
• Executive summary of the key findings
• 152-page detailed analysis of the findings of the nationwide survey, including over 100 summary charts and tables and numerous verbatim responses to open-ended questions

The report is provided in PDF format.

Subscribers who purchase the 2023-24 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services report may also purchase the optional Excel spreadsheet, which lists all 301 survey participants by company name and respondent title, as well as their answers to each survey question. The spreadsheet can be used to analyze responses based on fleet category, size, use of specific MRM systems, and many other criteria.

Recordings of individual interviews are also available as an option.

For over 20 years, C.J. Driscoll & Associates has provided strategic and marketing consulting and research services, with emphasis on commercial and consumer telematics and location-based products and services. Clients include major cellular carriers, commercial telematics hardware and service providers, consumer telematics system suppliers, automotive manufacturers, technology companies, and investment firms. The company has a large number of consulting and research clients both in the U.S. and overseas.

C.J. Driscoll & Associates has extensive experience in a wide range of primary and secondary marketing research methodologies, including focus groups, telephone surveys, online surveys, and personal interviews. The company has also coordinated product and service trials, including the largest U.S. trial of location-based services, which was conducted in 2004 for a leading U.S. cellular carrier. This trial resulted in the launch of the first cell phone-based navigation solution.

In October 2021, the company released the 2021-22 U.S. Mobile Resource Management Systems Market Study, 7th edition. This report provides in-depth information on each major commercial telematics market segment, including the markets for vehicle-installed GPS fleet management solutions for local service and delivery fleets and long haul trucking fleets. The market for driver behavior management systems is also examined, along with the market for managing mobile workers with GPS-equipped smartphones and tablets. In addition, the study covers the markets for monitoring mobile assets, such as fleet trailers and heavy equipment. The study assesses the current market penetration of MRM systems and services and projects annual subscriber and revenue growth through 2024. This 368-page report includes detailed profiles on over 140 suppliers of MRM systems and services, including target markets, key features, installed base, and pricing.

In October 2019, C.J. Driscoll & Associates released a multi-client marketing research study covering interest of U.S. trucking fleet operators in a wide range of telematics systems and services. The study assesses trucking fleet operator use and satisfaction with ELDs and also quantifies current use and interest in video camera-based solutions. Other topics covered by the study include use of GPS fleet management systems and interest in smart trailer solutions, open platforms, predictive analytics, and enhanced data security. This study was based on a telephone survey of 200 for-hire and private trucking fleet operators. It was partially funded by 17 companies including AT&T, CalAmp, Coretex, EROAD, Fleet Complete, Geotab, KeepTruckin, LYTX, Penske Truck Leasing, Peterson Manufacturing, SkyBitz, Spireon, Stoneridge, Teletrac Navman, Trimble Mobility Solutions, WABCO, and Zonar Systems.

In January 2019, C.J. Driscoll & Associates released the 2019-20 U.S. Mobile Resource Management Systems Market Study, 6th edition. Each edition of the C.J. Driscoll Mobile Resource Management Systems Market Study requires hundreds of hours of research and analysis, and the report is often referred to as the “bible of the industry”.

In September 2017, C.J. Driscoll & Associates released the 2017-18 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services, a multi-client study covering U.S. fleet operator interest, use, and satisfaction with GPS fleet management systems, driver behavior management systems, and solutions for managing mobile workers with GPS-equipped handsets or other portable devices. This study was based on a telephone survey of over 500 fleet operators in a wide range of categories. It was sponsored by 19 companies, including AT&T, CalAmp, Coretex, DMC Insurance, EROAD, Fleet Complete, Geotab, GPS Insight, MiX Telematics, Omnitracs, PeopleNet, Satrack USA, Seeing Machines, SkyBitz, Spireon, Teletrac Navman, Vehicle Tracking Solutions, Verizon Telematics, and Zonar Systems.

In September 2016, the company released its 2016-17 Mexican Telematics Market Study. This comprehensive 148-page report analyzes the addressable market for commercial and consumer telematics solutions, as well as market penetration. Factors impacting market growth are examined in detail. The report includes detailed profiles of 44 major suppliers of commercial and consumer telematics solutions, including profiles of leading Mexican-based solution providers as well as overseas-based suppliers that have entered the Mexican market.

Clement Driscoll is the founder and president of C.J. Driscoll & Associates. Mr. Driscoll has over 25 years of experience in the fields of wireless location, navigation, and mobile communications. He directed the marketing of Teletrac’s fleet vehicle location service and Magnavox’s GPS and satellite communication products. In 1994, Mr. Driscoll authored the Survey of Location Systems to Support Wireless 911, which served as a basis for the FCC’s wireless E911 rulemaking. Clem Driscoll is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has an MBA from St. John’s University. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of GPS World magazine and has served on Advisory Boards of several leading industry suppliers. He has written numerous articles on telematics and LBS for leading industry publications including GPS World, RCR, Telematics Update, Automotive Fleet, Fleet Financial, and Inside GNSS. He is a noted authority on GPS-based products and services and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Driscoll has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune Magazine, the L.A. Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today, as well as in many leading industry trade publications.