Field service is losing money to bad data: Go beyond GPS with smarter telematics

Companies generate vast amounts of information each day from their business processes and activities, and field service fleets are no different. Yet, many field service companies struggle to properly manage their records, often lacking critical details like their fleets' make, model and serial number. 

Dispersed data puts field service companies at a significant disadvantage. Without the right data management, field service leaders can't effectively strategize how to incorporate advanced analytics. Consequently, field service managers are not able to help technicians manage operational issues and optimize customer service requests.

How businesses use their field service data to their advantage was a critical talking point at the Field Service Palm Springs 2025 conference. Smart businesses are getting smart about using their fleet data to turn field service analytics into optimized processes for better service, improved safety and high customer satisfaction.

The field service data dilemma: Why basic records aren't enough

Conference speakers underscored the importance of four critical considerations deeply impacting the field service industry when it comes to data:

• Asset registration: Not just any registration – a comprehensive list of critical fleet information. Speakers highlighted how telematics plays an important role in initiating and managing this type of fleet data, especially for mobile assets constantly on the move, experiencing wear and tear and changes in operational capacities.
• Foundation built on data: Participants continuously pointed to data as the core foundation for transforming service operations from reactive to predictive models, enabling the implementation of advanced solutions, including AI for field service fleets.
• Achieving data readiness: Speakers also discussed strategies for leveraging structured data to overcome data fragmentation. Another takeaway from the fireside chat emphasized telematics' equally crucial role in providing clean, real-time data directly from mobile assets.
• Unlock instant benefits with centralized data: Consolidating vital field service data from fleets provides immediate, actionable insights for field service managers and leaders. This unified fleet control data, spanning vehicle performance to diagnostics, empowers businesses to anticipate repairs, minimize downtime and ensure a seamless customer experience, ultimately driving robust predictive maintenance. 

Simply put, without a solid data foundation, field service companies that forgo this critical step will continue to face significant financial and operational pain points, losing ground to competitors who are already leveraging their data effectively.

The power of consolidated data

Geotab’s comprehensive telematics platform addresses these issues by collecting and analyzing mobile asset data, displaying clear, accurate dashboards of vehicle information. This directly leads to better optimization and a seamless customer experience.

Here’s how Geotab moves the needle when it comes to location, comprehensive asset records and actionable data to increase customer satisfaction:

• Beyond the dot on the map: Geotab’s telematics isn’t solely focused on just location data; it also has the ability to pull information directly from vehicle fleets and equipment - engine diagnostics, mileage, operating hours, fuel consumption and vehicle health alerts, all of which are crucial for building complete asset records for fleet vehicles. 

United Utilities leveraged Geotab's telematics data, which offers live vehicle diagnostics, to transition into a proactive and predictive maintenance strategy. By consolidating this comprehensive vehicle health information, they were able to track vehicle conditions, identify Engine Management Light (EML) alerts and schedule truck servicing according to engine hours, ultimately achieving substantial cost savings and minimizing downtime.

• Getting your field service data in order: Having rich field control analytics at your fingertips allows your business to centralize data and make better-informed decisions. This was a key emphasis throughout the Field Service Palm Springs conference. Geotab’s field service solutions provide a comprehensive view of assets, from real-time location and status across each fleet vehicle to advanced route optimization, enabling drivers to avoid lengthy traffic delays. It also includes safety monitoring to proactively improve driver behavior.

To reduce breakdowns, Shaziman Transport used Geotab to anticipate and schedule required maintenance and inspections. As a result, their capability to predict when components need servicing empowered them to proactively arrange upkeep and decrease operational downtime. 

• Better data leads to better service: Once your field service data is in order, your fleets can begin to deliver enhanced customer service for your business. With Geotab, routes for drivers become optimized and dispatches can happen quickly. With each service designed for peak performance, this leads to increased service capacity, less wasted time and superior experiences for your customers.

Transitioning your fleet from a reactive to a predictive and proactive service model hinges on one critical factor: data. By prioritizing comprehensive field service data and robust field control analytics, companies can move beyond basic record-keeping. Centralizing vital information from fleets—from detailed asset registration to real-time telematics data on vehicle performance and diagnostics—empowers businesses to unlock invaluable insights. This foundational step ensures field service leaders have the unified view they need to strategize effectively, optimize operations, anticipate repairs, and ultimately deliver superior customer experiences.

Ready to take the competitive leap? Download the report.