More than telematics: Connected Services driving uptime and value

At UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA), the evolution of UD Connected Services is guided by Gemba, a Japanese philosophy rooted in understanding real-world operations at the source. As explained by Amith Singh, General Manager responsible for Connected Services, this ensures solutions are shaped by the realities of customers’ day-to-day operations.

Gemba is all about going to the place where value is created to gain firsthand understanding of real operational challenges. Rather than designing digital solutions in isolation, UDTSA’s approach therefore begins on the ground, alongside fleet operators, vehicles and drivers operating in South Africa’s demanding transport environment.

“We engage directly with customers, spending time on site to understand their day-to-day operations, priorities and pain points,” notes Singh. These real-world insights have directly shaped UD Connected Services, the platform used across UD Trucks’ local range. The platform provides real-time visibility into vehicle location, health, fuel usage and driver behaviour – but its true value lies in how that data is transformed into actionable fleet intelligence.

Designed for local operating realities

According to Singh, the complexity of the local transport sector demands more than a generic telematic solution. “The transport and logistics industry in South Africa is significantly more complex and expansive than in many other regions,” he explains. “As a result, fleets require a diverse and integrated range of solutions to ensure safety, reliability and operational efficiency.”

In response, UD Trucks has developed a comprehensive, end-to-end UD Connected Services platform – factory-fitted and fully integrated into the vehicle’s electronic architecture. This enables direct access to highly accurate data from the truck’s electronic control units (ECUs).

Key metrics such as fuel consumption, driver behaviour, vehicle utilisation and overall fleet performance are continuously monitored, supporting informed operational decision-making. The solution incorporates stolen vehicle recovery, strengthening asset protection and operational continuity in a high-risk environment. On selected models, high-specification anti-siphoning technology further reduces the risk of fuel theft and associated losses.

Protecting uptime through predictive intelligence

Uptime remains a critical performance driver for commercial fleets, and UD Connected Services plays a central role in shifting maintenance from reactive to proactive.

By leveraging real-time ECU data, UD Trucks works closely with its dealer network and customers to enable proactive service scheduling – ensuring maintenance interventions are planned before failures occur. Multiple vehicle performance triggers are continuously analysed using artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics.

“This allows potential failures to be identified early, enabling rapid and efficient intervention before unplanned breakdowns occur,” Singh says. “As a result, customers are able to maximise fleet uptime and significantly reduce unnecessary vehicle downtime.”

Turning data into better driving

With large volumes of data generated daily, usability is essential. UD Trucks addresses this through My UD Fleet, a digital fleet management platform designed to convert raw data into clear, actionable insights.

The platform provides a comprehensive suite of reports covering driver behaviour, vehicle performance and overall fleet efficiency. A key enhancement is the Fuel Efficiency Report, which evaluates and scores driver performance against the specific technical specifications of the vehicle being operated.

“The report highlights targeted areas for improvement through an intuitive and easy-to-understand format,” Singh explains. “It guides drivers on how to optimise performance across parameters such as engine and gear usage, anticipation and braking behaviour, speed management and standstill analysis.”

Measurable value at fleet level

From a total cost of ownership (TCO) perspective, the impact of connected services is measurable. Improved driving standards and fuel efficiency translate directly into lower operating costs, while enhanced visibility and security features help protect fleet assets and reduce risk.

“Customers gain greater control over fuel consumption, driver behaviour, vehicle utilisation and overall operating efficiency,” says Singh. “The result is higher vehicle availability, improved productivity and a more predictable cost base – even in challenging African operating environments.”

AI, safety and sustainability

UD Trucks’ connected platform continues to evolve from traditional vehicle monitoring into a data-driven ecosystem. Future developments will focus on advanced analytics, enhanced predictive AI models and deeper pattern recognition across vehicle systems, operating conditions and driver behaviour.

A major upcoming innovation is the launch of AI-enabled smart cameras on selected models. The UD Smart Cam will provide real-time alerts for fatigue, lane deviation, risky driving behaviour and collisions, alongside access to historical and live video footage for incident analysis and driver coaching. As both sustainability and electrification accelerate, connected services will increasingly serve as the digital backbone for next-generation mobility – supporting energy monitoring, emissions tracking and integration with smart logistics platforms.

“By listening closely to our customers and translating real-world insights into practical digital enhancements, we continue to deliver solutions that support safer operations, improved productivity and measurable fleet performance improvements,” concludes Singh.