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Top1. Introduction
Telematics typically is any integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology). ICT plays a major role in the economic development of countries (Shirazia, Gholamib, An, & Higo, 2009). Basically, telematics is about the technology of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices (GSM/GPRS) along with controlling of remote objects (Information and communications technology, n.d.; Telematics, n.d.; Laurie, 2012). Moreover, telematics includes but is not limited to Global Positioning System (GPS) technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems (Hossaina, Chowb, Leungc, McLeoda, Misic, Wongc, & Yange, 2010).
The objective of this study is to present and demonstrate the main challenges and obstacles facing Telematics companies entering the market in Bahrain. this research will end up with listing the main challenges facing small ICT/Telematics companies entering such market in Bahrain and how they can face those challenges.
The materials in this paper are organized as follows; a summary of products and service based on Telematics are presented in section two. Section three presents the main components of Telematics system. In section four we are going to talk about the importance of Telematics. Section five discusses the main challenges facing Telematics companies entering the market of Bahrain, and in section six we attempt to present ideas on how to face and overcome the challenges and limitations of the small market of Bahrain. Finally a conclusion and recommendations for future work is presented in section seven.
Top2. Products And Services Based On Telematics
There are many products and services based on Telematics system such as Fleet/vehicle Tracking, Dispatching and Navigation, Personal Tracking and Traffic Telematics.
2.1. Fleet/Vehicle Tracking & Management
Vehicle tracking/Telematics is a way of monitoring the location, movements, status and behavior of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles (such as Sedan cars, Trucks, Containers, Motorcycles, etc…) remotely to enhance the functionality, productivity and security of both vehicles and drivers (UK Telematics Online, n.d.). The tracker is basically a combination of a GPS module, GPS antenna and GSM/GPRS modem controlled by a microcontroller. This tracker will start transmitting GPRS packets (using internet protocols) through GSM network to a remote server/database. After that the user can monitor and track the movement of his fleet from his PC/web browser. The data which are received from the tracker will be turned into readable information by using reporting tools in combination with a visual display on computerized mapping software (GIS – Geographical Information System).
2.2. Dispatching and Navigation
Dispatching and in-vehicle navigation system (also called Personal Navigation Devices (PND)) is much convenient, safer and reliable solution for drivers to find their destinations without the need of having a paper based maps (Dispatch and navigation Garmin to Contigo, 2011). Moreover, by interfacing this system with the vehicle telematics/tracking system the call center will be able to dispatch jobs, monitor jobs and communicate with the driver by text messaging. This will ensure that the drivers are automatically routed to the precise customer location and provide the call center with up to the minute status information on their progress (Jobs montioring & dispatch, 2011). Such real-time scheduling and dispatching technologies could provide improved services in high density urban and low density rural areas (Mulleya & Nelsonb, 2009).
2.3. Personal Tracking
GPS personal tracking are small tracking devices (similar to the vehicle tracker but without any external wiring) which can be carried in our pockets (GPS personal tracking, n.d.). This type of trackers can be used for a number of useful applications, including children and elderly tracking, sales person tracking, animals tracking and tracking of out-patients.