Connected data provides vehicle and driver insight

Thought Leadership 2 - OEMs

Beyond lumps of metal/heavy engineering to connected data and driver/vehicle insight

REDTAIL has worked with vehicle manufacturers of various hues for more than a decade, from global Auto to local 48v battery-powered cart OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).

Technical solutions have spawned pilots and launches to evolve OEM opportunities with their consumers to embrace dynamic engagement and diverse monetisation. A number of key aspects of that success:

• Understanding differences; innovation has no common vernacular between partners

• Trying things together to learn each other’s strengths, ways of working and priorities so we can do better

• Managing patience and urgency (or urgency and patience?) within the context of market opportunity, technical PoCs (proof of concept) and appropriate commercials

Understanding differences

REDTAIL is expert in ingesting data from sensors via signals/connectivity to transform into understanding and insight of VALUE. OEMs less so (with apologies but of course evolving at pace!).

REDTAIL works in radio engineer language, which in turn we have qualified to be right for the customer. In some cases, this has meant a change in solution (100hz data not available from Connected Car, for example, so Claims data must be approached in a different way) embracing what the OEM can provide being converted into what the insurer (for example) recognises and needs.

The OEM birthright in diagnostics has proved a welcome addition to REDTAIL data riches.

Try things to do better

Innovation means you don’t get it right first time. And a need to limit risk investment while testing. REDTAIL has long promoted pilot programmes to scrutinise products, services, processes and, most pertinently with OEMs, permissions.

There is discipline in pilots, trials, proofs of concept. Clarity of scope (what’s in and what’s out), time, effort, reporting and of course outcomes learning and actions is vital. Necessary documentation a good idea also.

Cross-Team Collaboration and Value Creation

The third learning combines understanding of differences and disciplined testing. First to market is an imperative, or a nice to have? Go to market with the RIGHT (tested) proposition is surely better? The conundrum of demonstrating urgency with sufficient patience to iron out (not all, not possible) challenges is worthy of considerable communication, debate and careful planning.

Interestingly, REDTAIL learning has recognised the modus operandi of much bigger companies than us. A large insurer and a large OEM have their deliberate ways of working and their ROI scrutiny. Acknowledgement that those measures will facilitate progress is very important as a corollary to an acceptable degree of urgency and will deliver the best possible launch and rollout.