Fleet management and telematics glossary
Fleet management, telematics and operational IoT come with a lot of technical terminology that every fleet manager, operations director or solution buyer needs to master to compare offers, manage teams and make the right decisions. This glossary covers around a hundred fleet management and telematics terms, with particular attention to operational realities in Africa: fuel siphoning, poor connectivity, ageing fleets, non-road assets and generator tracking. These are issues that European glossaries routinely overlook. Each definition is written by Fleeti teams, based on field experience in 12 countries in Europe and Africa. The most important terms have their own in-depth page.
A
Harsh acceleration
Driving behaviour marked by a sudden, excessive increase in speed, detected by the telematics device's accelerometer. It causes immediate excess fuel use, speeds up mechanical wear and increases accident risk. Fleet managers track it to identify at-risk drivers and trigger coaching. Synonym: aggressive driving.
Accelerometer
Electronic sensor in the telematics device that measures changes in acceleration along three axes: longitudinal (forward/back), lateral (left/right) and vertical (up/down). It detects risky driving events (harsh braking, sharp cornering, impacts), and its data feeds driver scorecards and accident reconstruction.
Connected asset
Any physical company equipment (vehicle, construction machine, generator, cold room) fitted with an IoT sensor that sends its data in real time to a central management platform. Connecting assets is the first step towards full operational visibility. See the detailed definition of Connected asset ->
Non-road asset
Equipment that does not travel on roads but needs operational tracking: compressors, aerial work platforms, generators, cold rooms, high-value site tools. Connected via standalone IoT beacons, they are monitored from the same platform as vehicles. Tracking them is especially important in Africa, where site equipment theft causes considerable losses.
Automatic alert
Notification triggered in real time by the fleet management platform when a threshold or predefined condition is reached: speeding, zone exit, abnormal fuel consumption, cold chain break. Sent by SMS, email or mobile push, alerts turn reactive management into proactive management, so you can act before a situation gets worse.
Driver behaviour alert
Automatic notification generated when a driver drives in a risky way or breaches company policy: speeding, harsh braking, excessive acceleration, sharp cornering. These alerts let managers act quickly and form the basis of coaching programmes targeted at each driver's actual behaviour.
Abnormal fuel consumption alert
Notification triggered when a vehicle's consumption deviates significantly from its baseline over a trip or period. It may indicate a mechanical fault, inefficient driving or siphoning. The platform cross-checks fuel probe, GPS and CAN bus data to qualify each anomaly precisely.
Vehicle maintenance alert
Automatic notification telling the fleet manager that a vehicle is approaching its service due date, based on mileage, engine hours or calendar. A core part of any preventive maintenance strategy, it avoids unexpected breakdowns that are particularly costly for fleets operating far from repair workshops, a common situation in Africa.
Cold chain break alert
Notification triggered when a temperature sensor records a value outside regulatory or contractual thresholds in a refrigerated vehicle or storage area. It allows immediate action to limit losses and provides evidence of HACCP compliance for food and pharmaceutical carriers.
Tank siphoning alert
Automatic notification generated when an abnormal drop in fuel level is detected while the vehicle is parked with the engine off. Detection cross-checks the fuel probe, GPS and engine hours. In sub-Saharan Africa, this is one of the most valuable features financially, since siphoning losses can reach 10 to 30% of an unprotected fleet's fuel spend.
Zone exit alert
Notification triggered when a vehicle or connected asset crosses the boundary of a virtual zone set by geofencing. It lets you control authorised operating areas, prevent misuse of vehicles and detect attempted machinery theft or diverted deliveries in real time.
Temperature alert
Automatic notification triggered by a temperature sensor when the measured value goes outside set thresholds. It applies to refrigerated vehicles (cold chain protection), storage warehouses and industrial equipment (engines, generators). In Africa, high temperatures increase thermal risk, making this feature critical for healthcare and food distribution operators.
Vehicle theft alert
Automatic notification triggered when the telematics system detects suspicious behaviour: start-up outside usual hours, vehicle movement with no key in the ignition, forced disconnection of the device or leaving a parking zone in the middle of the night. Combined with real-time tracking, it enables fast recovery and lowers insurance premiums.
Truck anti-siphoning
A system combining hardware (precise fuel probe, optional mechanical lock) and software (automatic alerts) to prevent and detect fuel theft by siphoning on trucks. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is one of the fastest returns on investment of any fleet management solution: some Fleeti customers have saved up to €94,000 a year on fuel alone.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A standard protocol that lets two pieces of software exchange data automatically. In fleet management, the API connects the telematics platform to the company's other business tools: ERP, TMS, maintenance management system, CRM. An open API is a decisive criterion for avoiding data silos. Fleeti offers more than 20 native integrations with fleet managers' everyday tools.
Fleet management app
Software accessed through a web browser or mobile device to monitor vehicles, assets and field teams in real time: tracking, alerts, fuel monitoring, maintenance and reporting. It turns telematics data into actionable indicators for fleet managers. See the detailed definition of Fleet management app ->
Driver mobile app
A digital tool on the driver's smartphone for interacting with the management platform from the vehicle: receiving and confirming jobs, filling in digital forms, communicating with the fleet manager and tracking their eco-driving. It replaces physical driver terminals and reduces rollout costs, particularly for African fleets.
Car sharing (fleet)
A system that lets several employees share company vehicles in an organised, traceable way: booking, assignment, driver identification and usage tracking. A well-managed shared fleet can be 20 to 30% smaller. Particularly relevant for African companies, where company vehicles are often under-used for lack of objective tracking.
B
GPS beacon
A compact device combining a GPS receiver and a GSM/4G module to send an asset's position to the management platform in real time. Unlike a telematics device installed in a vehicle, a GPS beacon is often standalone, with a long-life battery (1 to 5 years), and can be attached to any asset without wiring. Ideal for trailers, containers, non-powered machinery and site equipment. Some models include a solar panel, which suits remote areas of Africa. Synonyms: GPS tracker, GPS beacon.
Trailer GPS beacon
A standalone tracking device with a long-life battery, designed to locate a semi-trailer independently of the tractor unit, even when it is uncoupled at a depot or on site. It prevents theft, improves trailer availability and supports real-time logistics planning. See the detailed definition of Trailer GPS beacon ->
On-board unit
An electronic device installed in a vehicle or machine to collect, process and transmit operational data in real time: GPS position, engine data via the CAN bus, driving behaviour and fuel consumption. It is the central hardware of any fleet telematics solution. Fleeti devices are made in Europe, CE-certified and compatible with the vast majority of African fleets, including older vehicles without an OBD port. There are two types: the OBD device (plug and play, installed in minutes) and the hard-wired device (professionally installed, recommended for intensive fleets). Synonyms: telematics device, OBU (on-board unit).
Telematics device
Hardware installed in a vehicle that collects and transmits key operational data in real time: GPS position, engine data, driving behaviour and fuel consumption. The centrepiece of any modern fleet management system, it turns every vehicle into a source of actionable information for the fleet manager. See the detailed definition of Telematics device ->
CAN bus (Controller Area Network)
A standard communication protocol that lets a vehicle's electronic units exchange data in real time: engine speed, road speed, instant fuel consumption, tyre pressure, temperatures and fault codes. Connecting to the CAN bus lets the telematics device go well beyond simple tracking, reporting precise, reliable manufacturer data straight from the vehicle's engine control unit. The J1939 standard applies to trucks and construction machinery, OBD-II to light vehicles built after 1996. Essential for accurate fuel tracking and reliable preventive maintenance.
C
Professional dashcam
A video device installed in a fleet vehicle that continuously records the road and/or the cab interior. Unlike consumer dashcams, it is built for intensive 24/7 use, integrated with the telematics platform, and its footage is synchronised with driving events. It protects the company after an accident, reduces insurance fraud and enables driver coaching based on real visual evidence. Synonym: professional in-vehicle camera. See the detailed definition of Professional dashcam ->
Fuel sensor (fuel probe)
A precision sensor installed in a vehicle's tank that continuously measures fuel level to within ±1 to 2%. Combined with GPS, it automatically detects siphoning, consumption anomalies and gaps between declared and actual volumes. The main tool for fighting fuel fraud in African fleets. See the detailed definition of Fuel sensor ->
Temperature sensor
An electronic device that continuously measures the temperature of a space (refrigerated vehicle, cold room) or equipment (engine, generator). Data is sent in real time via the telematics device. In refrigerated transport, several sensors can be fitted per vehicle to monitor multi-temperature zones. Essential for HACCP compliance and pharmaceutical operations in African countries, where high temperatures increase the risk of cold chain breaks.
Cold chain
All the processes and equipment that keep a sensitive product (food, medicine, vaccine) at a controlled temperature throughout its supply chain. Any break can cause heavy losses and serious health risks. Real-time IoT monitoring has become essential to ensure regulatory compliance and temperature data traceability. See the detailed definition of Cold chain ->
Driving behaviour
A driver's habits (speed management, braking, cornering, idling, keeping to schedules) measured objectively by the telematics device's sensors and reported as scores and alerts. A driver with an aggressive style uses 15 to 25% more fuel and causes premature mechanical wear. Analysing driving behaviour is the most direct and fastest way to reduce a fleet's operating costs. Synonyms: driving style, driver behaviour.
Poor connectivity
A situation where a telematics device operates with insufficient or no network coverage, typical of rural, mining or border areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Fleeti devices are built for this: they store all data locally and sync it automatically when the network returns. Built-in multi-network SIM cards switch automatically to whichever operator is available. No data is lost, even after several days without coverage.
Fuel consumption
The amount of fuel a vehicle uses over a given distance or period, expressed in litres per 100 km (L/100 km) or litres per hour for construction machinery. Fuel accounts for 25 to 40% of a European fleet's operating costs, and up to 50% for African fleets running long distances. Telematics tracking of actual consumption, via a fuel probe or CAN bus readings, identifies deviations, improves driving behaviour and detects fraud. Fleeti cuts the fuel budget by 20% on average in the first year.
Total cost of ownership (TCO)
A financial analysis covering all costs of a vehicle over its life: acquisition, fuel, maintenance, insurance, tyres, taxes and depreciation. It is the benchmark indicator fleet managers use to decide between replacement, repair and electrification. Telematics makes it possible to calculate precise TCO by asset, driver and site. See the detailed definition of TCO ->
CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)
An EU directive in force since 2024 requiring large companies to publish detailed reports on their environmental and social impact. For fleet managers, it means measuring and reporting their fleet's CO2 emissions precisely. Telematics plays a central role in CSRD compliance by automatically calculating actual emissions from fuel consumption measured on each vehicle, by trip and by driver, well beyond the flat-rate estimates used until now.
D
Dashcam
A compact camera mounted on a vehicle's dashboard or windscreen that continuously records the road and/or the cab. In a professional fleet, the dashcam is integrated with the telematics solution, and its recordings are synchronised with driving data (braking events, speeding, impacts). It comes in several versions depending on use: truck dashcam, HGV dashcam, van dashcam. See also: professional dashcam.
Truck dashcam
A professional dashcam installed in a truck that continuously records the road and/or the cab. Integrated with the telematics platform, it protects the company legally after an accident, reduces insurance fraud and supports driver coaching based on real visual evidence. Advanced systems use AI to detect drowsiness and distraction in real time. See the detailed definition of Truck dashcam ->
HGV dashcam
An in-vehicle camera designed for goods vehicles. Rugged and approved for intensive use, it records the road and cab continuously and synchronises video with telematics events. It protects the company in disputes with third parties and lets you train drivers on real situations. See the detailed definition of HGV dashcam ->
Van dashcam
A professional dashcam designed for light commercial vehicles: small vans, panel vans and delivery vans. It meets the same needs as a truck dashcam (legal protection, driver coaching, reduced insurance fraud) in a compact format. Increasingly required by business insurers for access to preferential rates, particularly for last-mile delivery fleets.
On-board diagnostics (OBD)
A standard electronic system found in almost all light vehicles since 1996 that continuously monitors engine performance and generates diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) when something goes wrong. In fleet management, the OBD-II port is the plug-and-play connection point for the telematics device, giving access to engine data and fault codes without changing the wiring. Trucks use the J1939 standard via the CAN bus. Reading fault codes remotely lets you trigger preventive maintenance before a breakdown.
Digitising field operations
The process by which a company replaces manual or paper tracking with connected digital tools: IoT devices, driver mobile apps, sensors and SaaS platforms. In fleet management, it creates full real-time operational visibility over all assets and teams. For African companies still running their fleets on Excel and phone calls, going digital is a major competitive leap, with documented savings of 15 to 30% on operating costs in the first year.
E
Business eco-driving
Driving practices that cut fuel consumption by 10 to 20%, along with CO2 emissions and mechanical wear: anticipating deceleration, keeping a steady speed and limiting idling. The telematics device measures these behaviours automatically and reports them as actionable driver scores. Fleeti eco-driving programmes cut CO2 emissions by 15% on average. See the detailed definition of Business eco-driving ->
Fleet CO2 emissions
The total amount of carbon dioxide produced by burning fuel across a fleet over a given period, expressed in tonnes or in grams of CO2 per kilometre. Emissions tracking has become mandatory for companies subject to the CSRD and is increasingly required by shippers in transport tenders. Fleeti automatically calculates each vehicle's emissions from measured consumption, using ADEME references, with no flat-rate estimates.
Construction machinery
Motorised machines used on construction, civil engineering and mining sites: excavators, bulldozers, loaders, aerial work platforms, compactors and drilling rigs. Managing them through IoT devices tracks their location (theft prevention), actual operating hours (utilisation and customer billing), fuel consumption and maintenance alerts. In Africa, where infrastructure projects are booming, tracking them is a fast-growing market. Synonyms: construction equipment, plant.
F
Field service management
Real-time management of field teams and jobs: smart dispatch, technician location tracking, automatic assignment to the nearest available person, and job traceability. Fleet telematics plays a central role by providing each vehicle's exact position and time-stamped proof of visit. Particularly relevant for maintenance, delivery and home service companies. See the detailed definition of Field service management ->
Fleet management
Managing a fleet as a whole: overseeing vehicles, assets and field teams from a central platform. It covers tracking, preventive maintenance, fuel monitoring, eco-driving and reporting. In France, the English term is used interchangeably with the French gestion de flotte in tenders and specifications. See the detailed definition of Fleet management ->
Fleet management software
Software for managing a fleet, generally referred to by this English term in international contexts and multilingual tenders. It centralises GPS tracking, maintenance, fuel, alerts and reporting for all a company's assets in a single interface. French equivalent: logiciel de gestion de flotte. See the detailed definition of Fleet management software ->
Fleet (vehicles and assets)
All the vehicles, machinery and equipment a company owns or operates for its business. A fleet can be uniform (only company cars) or mixed (light vehicles, trucks, construction machinery, non-road assets). Fleeti manages mixed fleets in 12 countries, with particular expertise in African fleets, which often combine several generations of equipment of very different brands and ages.
Fuel fraud
Fraudulent practices that divert fuel or under-report a fleet's fuel use: tank siphoning, falsified fuel receipts, fictitious refuels, misuse of fuel cards and collusion at refuelling. Fuel fraud accounts for 5 to 30% of fuel spend in unprotected fleets, with significantly higher peaks in sub-Saharan Africa. Telematics, using a fuel probe combined with GPS, is the most effective way to detect and eliminate it.
Driver digital form
A digital document the driver fills in on their mobile app: delivery note, incident report, vehicle condition report, mileage reading, start-of-shift check. It replaces paper forms, eliminates data entry errors and makes field data instantly traceable. In Africa, it is often the first step towards digital operations for companies still working entirely on paper.
G
Geofencing
Technology for creating virtual geographic zones that automatically trigger an alert when a vehicle or connected asset enters or leaves them. A cornerstone of operational control and theft prevention in fleet management. See the detailed definition of Geofencing ->
Vehicle tracking
Technology that determines and transmits an asset's geographic position in real time using GPS combined with a communication network. In fleet management, it is the foundation of any telematics solution: every on-board device reports the vehicle's position every few seconds. GPS accuracy is generally 5 to 10 metres, enough to follow a vehicle on the road or a machine on a large site.
Truck tracking
Real-time GPS tracking of a truck fleet showing each vehicle's position, status and trips on a central map. Essential for optimising rounds, securing loads and justifying delivery times. See the detailed definition of Truck tracking ->
Vehicle tracking
Real-time GPS tracking of company vehicles' positions and movements from a central platform. It lets you monitor trips, optimise routes, prevent misuse and provide proof of visit. See the detailed definition of Vehicle tracking ->
Asset tracking
GPS and IoT tracking of all a company's equipment, powered or not: vehicles, construction machinery, trailers, generators and containers. Asset tracking goes beyond fleet tracking by covering every movable asset from a single platform. See the detailed definition of Asset tracking ->
Construction machinery tracking
GPS tracking of civil engineering and construction machines (excavators, compactors, aerial work platforms, loaders) to prevent theft, improve utilisation and trigger maintenance based on actual engine hours. In Africa, where machinery theft is common, it is one of the most valuable use cases. See the detailed definition of Construction machinery tracking ->
Company car fleet tracking
Real-time GPS tracking of an entire company vehicle fleet from a central map. It lets the fleet manager see all assets at a glance, replay past trips, spot unjustified stops and identify the nearest available vehicles for an urgent job. Often used interchangeably with vehicle tracking.
HGV tracking
GPS tracking of trucks and heavy goods vehicles to trace routes, monitor driving and rest times, prevent load theft and optimise rounds. Compatible with transport regulations. See the detailed definition of HGV tracking ->
Trailer tracking
GPS tracking of semi-trailers using standalone long-life beacons, independently of the tractor unit. It shows each trailer's position at all times, whether coupled, uncoupled at a depot or waiting to be loaded, and helps prevent theft. See the detailed definition of Trailer tracking ->
Real-time GPS tracking
GPS tracking with the position updated every few seconds (generally every 10 to 60 seconds depending on settings), giving almost instant tracking of vehicles and assets on the map. Essential for emergency dispatch, alert management and proof of visit for customers. See the detailed definition of Real-time tracking ->
Company vehicle tracking
GPS tracking of company vehicles to monitor their use, optimise rounds and justify job times. Subject to specific GDPR rules in France (employee notice, privacy mode outside working hours). See the detailed definition of Company vehicle tracking ->
Business vehicle tracking
GPS tracking of vehicles used for work, whether company-owned or rented. In France, it is legal under conditions (employee notice, limited to working hours, CNIL compliance). Fleeti includes a built-in privacy mode that switches off data collection outside jobs. See the detailed definition of Business vehicle tracking ->
Fleet management
All the processes and tools that let a company oversee, optimise and secure its vehicles, machinery and equipment from a central platform. It covers tracking, preventive maintenance, fuel monitoring, eco-driving and reporting. See the detailed definition of Fleet management ->
Truck fleet management
Fleet management applied to trucks and heavy goods vehicles, with specific features: tracking of driving and rest times (EU social regulations), CAN bus readings for precise engine data, trailer coupling management and cold chain monitoring. See the detailed definition of Truck fleet management ->
Transport fleet management
Management of vehicles, jobs and drivers at goods or passenger transport companies. It includes route optimisation, delivery time tracking, regulatory compliance and cost analysis per trip. See the detailed definition of Transport fleet management ->
Vehicle fleet management
Oversight of all a company's vehicles: cost tracking, servicing, roadworthiness tests, insurance, claims and use by employees. Modern vehicle fleet management relies on a telematics platform that centralises all this data in real time. See the detailed definition of Vehicle fleet management ->
Fuel management
The processes used to control, optimise and secure a fleet's fuel spending: consumption tracking by vehicle and driver, anomaly and fraud detection, and reconciliation of pumped and declared volumes. As fuel accounts for 25 to 50% of a fleet's operating costs, managing it is the quickest way to cut costs. See the detailed definition of Fuel management ->
CMMS (computerised maintenance management system)
Software for planning, tracking and recording all maintenance work on a fleet or equipment base. The CMMS receives telematics data (actual mileage, engine hours, OBD fault codes) to trigger work orders automatically and anticipate breakdowns. Fleeti integrates with the main CMMS tools on the market via an open API, avoiding manual entry and unifying field data.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
A satellite navigation system that determines the precise geographic position of a receiver anywhere on the planet by calculating the travel time of signals from a constellation of orbiting satellites. In fleet management, the GPS receiver is built into the vehicle's on-board telematics device. GPS is the technological foundation of fleet tracking, supplemented by other constellations (GLONASS, Galileo) for greater accuracy in dense urban areas or under tree cover.
Connected generator (genset)
A standalone electricity generator fitted with an IoT sensor that sends operating data in real time: on/off status, running hours, fuel level, engine temperature and fault alerts. In sub-Saharan Africa, where power cuts are frequent, generators are critical business assets. Fleeti lets you monitor all of them from the same platform as vehicles and construction machinery. Synonym: genset.
H
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)
An international regulatory method for analysing and controlling biological, chemical and physical risks in food production and distribution. In fleet management, HACCP compliance requires continuous temperature recording in refrigerated vehicles and warehouses. Temperature sensors connected to the telematics platform automatically generate the traceability reports required in health inspections, replacing error-prone manual readings.
Engine hours
A counter measuring the actual running time of a vehicle's or machine's engine, regardless of distance travelled. The reference indicator for construction machinery and generators, whose servicing depends on actual use rather than mileage. Reading engine hours via the CAN bus lets the telematics device trigger preventive maintenance alerts at the right time. See the detailed definition of Engine hours ->
Position history
A time-stamped record of all successive GPS positions of a vehicle or asset over a period, so the full trip can be replayed afterwards. Position history is used to check job times reported by drivers, reconstruct accident circumstances, justify travel times to customers or respond to an ANTAI request after an offence. Fleeti keeps history for up to 2 years depending on the configuration chosen.
I
Driver identification
A mechanism that reliably assigns each trip to an identified driver, using an RFID badge, Dallas key or PIN code entered before starting. Driver identification is essential for calculating individual eco-driving scores, assigning fines to the right driver and analysing costs by driver. Without it, driving data is aggregated by vehicle and loses much of its coaching value. Fleeti supports RFID badges and Dallas keys, which work even on the oldest vehicles in African fleets.
Remote immobilisation
A feature that lets a fleet manager remotely cut a vehicle's power or starter from the platform, preventing it from restarting. Used after confirmed theft, unauthorised use or non-payment in rental fleets. For road safety reasons, remote immobilisation only takes effect when the vehicle is stationary. Widely used in Africa to fight vehicle theft and equipment being held back by drivers in dispute with their employer.
IoT (Internet of Things)
A network of physical objects fitted with sensors, software and communication modules that can exchange data with other systems over the internet. In fleet management, IoT covers all the telematics devices, fuel sensors, temperature sensors and GPS beacons that connect each company asset to its monitoring platform. The global market for operational IoT in fleet management exceeds $20 billion and grows by 15% a year, driven in part by sub-Saharan Africa, where field operations are going digital fast.
Operational IoT
The industrial use of the Internet of Things to monitor and optimise physical processes in real time: fleet tracking, equipment control, cold chain monitoring and energy management. Unlike consumer IoT, operational IoT is built for harsh environments (heat, dust, vibration) and poor network connections. It is the technological core of the Fleeti platform. See the detailed definition of Operational IoT ->
J
J1939
A standard electronic communication protocol used on heavy vehicles (trucks, buses, construction machinery) that lets electronic units share data over the CAN bus. It defines the format and content of messages: engine speed, instant fuel consumption, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exact mileage and fault codes. Unlike the OBD-II standard for light vehicles, J1939 is designed for intensive industrial use. Reading it with the Fleeti telematics device is the most accurate source for fuel tracking and preventive maintenance on truck and construction machinery fleets in Africa and Europe.
K
Mileage
The total distance a vehicle has covered since entering service, in kilometres. In fleet management, mileage is read directly from the dashboard odometer via the CAN bus or OBD-II, eliminating manual readings and tampering. It triggers preventive maintenance alerts (oil changes, belt replacement, services) and is the basis for calculating each vehicle's actual cost per kilometre. For leased fleets, it justifies end-of-contract adjustments. Synonyms: odometer reading, odometer.
L
LCD (Last Connected Device)
A technical indicator showing the date and time a telematics device last synced with the management platform. An unusual gap between the LCD and today's date may indicate a prolonged network loss (no coverage), forced disconnection of the device, a hardware fault or an attempt to disable it. It is one of the first indicators fleet managers monitor to detect suspicious behaviour or hardware failures in the field.
Long-term lease
A vehicle lease contract, usually lasting 24 to 60 months, that includes maintenance, insurance and sometimes tyres, for a fixed monthly payment. Long-term leasing lets companies outsource fleet administration and financing without tying up capital. Telematics plays a growing role: it justifies contract mileage, prevents costly overruns, provides proof of proper maintenance and makes returns easier. In Africa, long-term leasing is growing fast in the oil, mining and humanitarian sectors, where controlling fleet costs is strategic.
Fleet management software
A SaaS platform that centralises GPS tracking, preventive maintenance, fuel control, driver scoring and reporting for all a company's assets in a single interface. It turns raw telematics data into actionable indicators for fleet managers. See the detailed definition of Fleet management software ->
Vehicle fleet management software
Software for overseeing all a company's vehicles: real-time tracking, servicing, insurance and roadworthiness test monitoring, cost tracking by vehicle and reporting for management. It centralises all fleet data that used to be scattered across spreadsheets, logbooks and disconnected systems. See the detailed definition of Vehicle fleet management software ->
Fleet tracking software
A software tool for seeing the position, status and operating data of all a company's vehicles and assets in real time. Often used as a synonym for fleet management software, with the emphasis on monitoring and trip traceability. See the detailed definition of Fleet tracking software ->
Fuel management software
A module or solution dedicated to tracking and optimising a fleet's fuel spending: actual consumption by vehicle and driver, anomaly and fraud detection, and reconciliation with fuel receipts and card statements. When integrated with the telematics platform, it cross-checks GPS, engine hours and fuel probe data for a complete analysis. See the detailed definition of Fuel management software ->
M
Corrective maintenance
Repair work carried out after a breakdown or failure on a vehicle or piece of equipment. Unlike preventive maintenance, it is by nature more expensive: it causes unplanned downtime, often long delays before returning to service in remote areas, and higher repair costs than if the problem had been dealt with earlier. In Africa, where certified garages are rare in remote areas, an unexpected breakdown can take an asset out of service for weeks. Telematics enables a shift from corrective to preventive maintenance by continuously reading engine fault codes and monitoring signs of deterioration.
Preventive maintenance
A servicing strategy in which a vehicle or piece of equipment is serviced on a planned schedule, before a breakdown occurs. Based on actual mileage, engine hours or elapsed time, it reduces unplanned downtime, extends equipment life and lowers total cost of ownership. Telematics provides the data needed to trigger alerts automatically at the right time. See the detailed definition of Preventive maintenance ->
Privacy mode
A built-in feature of telematics solutions that lets the driver temporarily switch off GPS data collection, usually outside working hours or during authorised personal use of the vehicle. Required by the CNIL in France for vehicles used by employees, it ensures GDPR compliance while maintaining drivers' trust. Fleeti includes this mode natively, activated by a physical button or the driver mobile app. In Africa, it is less regulated but remains good HR practice for multinational companies.
O
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II)
An international on-board diagnostics standard, mandatory on all light vehicles sold in Europe since 2001 and in the United States since 1996. The OBD-II port, under the dashboard, gives access to engine computer data: diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), engine speed, instant fuel consumption, speed, temperatures and tyre pressure. In fleet management, it is the plug-and-play connection point for the telematics device on light vehicles, allowing installation in under two minutes without changing the wiring. For trucks and construction machinery, the equivalent standard is J1939 via the CAN bus.
Route optimisation
An algorithmic process that calculates the most efficient sequence of deliveries, jobs or collections for one or more vehicles, minimising distance, travel time or CO2 emissions. Built into the fleet management platform, it takes real constraints into account: customer time windows, vehicle capacity, driver skills, traffic restrictions and live traffic. A good route optimisation algorithm cuts mileage and the related fuel costs by 15 to 25% on average.
Maintenance management tool
A module or feature of the fleet management platform for planning, tracking and recording all fleet servicing: due-date alerts, work orders, job tracking, cost by vehicle and activity reports. Unlike a standalone CMMS, it uses telematics data directly (actual mileage, engine hours, OBD fault codes) to trigger alerts automatically at the right time. For African fleets operating far from workshops, it lets you anticipate breakdowns and organise jobs proactively rather than managing crises reactively.
P
Vehicle fleet
All the motor vehicles a company owns or manages for its business: company cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks and construction machinery. Managing it covers acquisition, maintenance, insurance, regulatory compliance, cost tracking and utilisation. A vehicle fleet ranges from a few vehicles at an SME to several thousand at a large industrial group or logistics operator. Synonyms: company fleet, vehicle pool, company vehicle fleet.
SaaS fleet platform
Fleet management software delivered as Software as a Service, accessed from any web browser or mobile app with no local installation. The fleet manager pays a monthly subscription that includes updates, support, hosting and data security. This model has largely replaced server-installed software: it reduces IT costs, allows fast activation (under 24 hours at Fleeti) and gives access to the latest features with no costly migration. Particularly suited to African companies without an in-house IT department that want to roll out quickly across several countries.
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV)
A road vehicle with a gross vehicle weight above 3.5 tonnes: rigid trucks, tractor units with semi-trailers, buses, tipper trucks and vehicles carrying dangerous goods. Subject to specific rules (mandatory tachograph, driving and rest times, traffic restrictions), they need dedicated telematics features: J1939 readings for precise engine data, trailer coupling management and compliance with EU social regulations. In Africa, HGVs often make up 70 to 80% of a fleet's value and are central to fuel consumption and road safety issues.
R
Engine idling
Running a vehicle's engine at minimum speed without moving, burning fuel without doing useful work. Excessive idling is one of the main sources of fuel waste in fleets: an idling truck uses 2 to 4 litres an hour. The telematics platform measures idling time by vehicle and driver, triggers alerts when a threshold is exceeded and includes this indicator in the eco-driving score. In Africa, idling is often used to run air conditioning while parked, increasing overconsumption in very hot environments.
Reporting dashboard
A central graphical interface showing a fleet's key performance indicators (KPIs) in real time: vehicle utilisation, fuel consumption by asset and driver, eco-driving scores, active alerts, maintenance costs and CO2 emissions. The reporting dashboard gives the fleet manager an overview of the whole fleet and highlights anomalies immediately. Fleeti dashboards are customisable and can be exported automatically as PDFs for senior management and steering committees.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
Contactless identification technology that uses radio waves to read data from an electronic chip at short range. In fleet management, the RFID badge is one of the main driver identification devices: the driver swipes before starting, which assigns the trip to them on the platform. Reliable, fast and inexpensive, it works with the oldest African fleets and withstands dusty and humid environments. It can also be used to control access to parking areas and fuel stations.
Fleet GDPR
Applying the General Data Protection Regulation to fleet management. In France, tracking vehicles driven by employees is subject to strict obligations: prior notice to employees, declaration to the CNIL (or entry in the record of processing activities), use limited to working hours, privacy mode outside jobs and limited data retention. Fleeti provides customers with a GDPR-compliant DPA (data processing agreement) and builds in all the required technical mechanisms: privacy mode, configurable retention periods, access rights management and audit logs.
Fleet ROI (return on investment)
A financial measure comparing the savings and gains from a fleet management solution with the cost of rolling it out. The main ROI levers in telematics are a lower fuel budget (15 to 25%), lower maintenance costs through breakdown prevention, lower insurance premiums, fewer vehicles thanks to better utilisation, and the end of fuel fraud. At Fleeti, average customer ROI is under 6 months, with documented cases of payback in under 3 months for African fleets affected by siphoning.
S
Driver score
A numerical indicator, usually out of 100, summarising the quality of a driver's driving style based on telematics data from their trips: frequency of harsh acceleration, sharp braking, speeding, sharp cornering, idling time and keeping to schedules. It ranks drivers objectively, targets coaching at genuinely risky behaviour and tracks progress over time. Fleet managers also use it to reward good drivers, reduce insurance premiums and engage field teams around measurable goals. Synonyms: driver score, eco-driving score.
Transport fleet safety
The systems, procedures and tools used to reduce the risk of accidents, theft and incidents involving a transport fleet's vehicles and drivers. Telematics is its technological backbone: dashcams, behaviour alerts, geofencing and remote immobilisation form the basis of an effective fleet safety policy. See the detailed definition of Transport fleet safety ->
Workplace road safety
An internal policy to prevent road accidents involving employees travelling for work, whether in a company vehicle or their own vehicle on a work trip. It combines legal obligations (mobility plan, road risk assessment) with practical measures: driver training, driver policies, telematics and individual coaching. In Africa, where road accident rates are significantly higher than in Europe, workplace road safety is a critical issue for international groups with strict HSE policies. See the detailed definition of Workplace road safety ->
Siphoning
Fuel theft by sucking the contents out of a vehicle's or generator's tank with a hose, usually when the asset is parked and unattended. A widespread problem in sub-Saharan Africa, it can account for 10 to 30% of an unprotected fleet's fuel spend. A fuel probe combined with GPS detects abnormal drops in real time and triggers an immediate alert. See the detailed definition of Siphoning ->
Fleet management solution
A generic term for the combination of hardware (telematics devices, sensors) and software (SaaS platform) that lets a company monitor and optimise its fleet of vehicles and assets. A complete fleet management solution brings tracking, maintenance, fuel, eco-driving and reporting together in a single interface. See the detailed definition of Fleet management solution ->
Fuel probe
A precision sensor installed in a vehicle's or generator's tank that continuously measures fuel level to within plus or minus 1 to 2%. Combined with GPS, it automatically detects siphoning, consumption anomalies and gaps between declared and actual volumes. The main anti-fraud tool for fuel in African fleets. See the detailed definition of Fuel probe ->
Cold chain monitoring
Real-time IoT monitoring of temperature in refrigerated vehicles, warehouses and cold rooms, detecting any cold chain break immediately and generating the traceability reports required by HACCP standards. Critical for pharmaceutical and food operators, especially in Africa, where high temperatures increase the risks. See the detailed definition of Cold chain monitoring ->
Fleet tracking
Real-time monitoring of the position, status and operating data of all a company's vehicles and assets from a central platform. It covers live mapping, trip history, behaviour alerts and activity reports. Often used as a synonym for fleet management, with the emphasis on monitoring. See the detailed definition of Fleet tracking ->
Vehicle tracking system
The hardware and software that track a vehicle's position and operating data in real time: on-board GPS device, cellular or satellite network, and monitoring platform. It is the complete technical architecture behind any fleet management software. See the detailed definition of Vehicle tracking system ->
T
Tachograph
A recording device mandatory in Europe on trucks over 3.5 tonnes and on buses, recording drivers' driving and rest data: speed, distance, driving time, breaks and rest. Available in analogue (paper disc) or digital (driver smart card) form, it is required by EU social regulations to combat driver fatigue. The Fleeti platform connects to digital tachographs and retrieves data automatically, making compliance tracking easier for transport fleet managers.
Telematics
The combination of telecommunications and computing applied to vehicles and mobile assets. In fleet management, telematics covers all the technologies used to collect, transmit and analyse vehicle data in real time: GPS position, engine data, driving behaviour and fuel consumption. It is the technological foundation of every modern fleet management solution. See the detailed definition of Telematics ->
Real time
A property of a system that transmits and displays data immediately after collecting it, with no noticeable delay. In fleet management, real time means a vehicle's position, a behaviour alert or a drop in fuel level appears on the platform within seconds of the event. It is a decisive criterion for safety alerts, siphoning detection and urgent dispatch. Fleeti devices transmit in real time over 2G to 4G networks, automatically switching to the best available network in areas with poor coverage.
TMS (Transport Management System)
Software for planning and executing transport operations: order management, load optimisation, vehicle and driver assignment, delivery tracking and customer invoicing. While the telematics platform focuses on monitoring assets, the TMS runs the upstream supply chain. The two are complementary and integrate via API: telematics gives the TMS real-time vehicle position and status data, providing end-to-end visibility of transport operations.
Truck GPS tracker
A tracking device installed in a truck that sends its position, status and operating data in real time to the fleet management platform. It may be a hard-wired device connected to the CAN bus for engine data, or a standalone beacon for basic position tracking. Essential for optimising rounds, securing loads and justifying delivery times. See the detailed definition of Truck GPS tracker ->
Professional GPS tracker
A GPS device or beacon designed specifically for professional fleets, set apart from consumer trackers by its ruggedness, multi-network connectivity, data accuracy and native integration with a fleet management platform. It meets the demands of industrial environments: impacts, dust, extreme heat and long network outages. See the detailed definition of Professional GPS tracker ->
Trailer GPS tracker
A standalone GPS beacon with a long-life battery fitted to a semi-trailer to track its position independently of the tractor unit, whether coupled or uncoupled. It improves trailer availability, prevents theft and justifies time spent at depots. Synonym: trailer GPS beacon. See the detailed definition of Trailer GPS tracker ->
V
Fleet electric vehicle
A fully electric vehicle in a company fleet. Adding EVs to a mixed fleet raises specific issues: charging management (planning stops, available chargers), real-time battery status tracking, remaining range calculation and adapting rounds to range constraints. Telematics plays a central role in this transition: it compares the actual TCO of EVs with combustion vehicles, calculates CO2 emissions avoided and justifies electrification decisions to finance teams. In Africa, EV rollout is still limited by charging infrastructure but is progressing in countries with a reliable power grid.
Light commercial vehicle (LCV)
A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes or less, used to carry goods, materials or equipment: small vans, panel vans, pick-ups and delivery vans. The backbone of service, trade and last-mile logistics fleets. Fitted with a telematics device via the OBD-II port or a hard-wired installation, the LCV becomes a connected asset sending position, engine data and driving behaviour. In Africa, 4x4 pick-ups dominate fleets operating in rural areas and are tracked particularly closely to prevent misuse and excess fuel consumption.
Operational visibility
A company's ability to know the status, position and operating data of all its assets, vehicles and field teams in real time. It removes the operational blind spots that cause inefficiency, fraud and uncontrolled risk. It is the central goal of every IoT fleet management solution. See the detailed definition of Operational visibility ->
Fuel theft
Fraudulent diversion of fuel at a company's expense, in various forms: tank siphoning, fake fuel receipts, fictitious refuels, misuse of fuel cards or collusion at refuelling. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is one of the costliest problems for unprotected fleets, with documented losses of 10 to 30% of the fuel budget. Combining a fuel probe with GPS is the most effective way to detect and eliminate it. See the detailed definition of Fuel theft ->
