Fleet Management - From the consolidation of the telematics sector, comes the simplification and automation of fleet management tools
The recent acquisition of Ocean by Shiftmove is part of a massive movement to consolidate the European telematics market. Through this acquisition, which comes in the wake of the absorption of Optimum Automotive, the German publisher is showing its ambition to become the leader in fleet management solutions in Europe, and the leading player in France.
At a time when only 30% of fleet managers are equipped with business tools, Shiftmove's development strategy is complemented by the deployment of a new solution. Called Avrios, the tool was launched in France last summer. It is also present in Germany, Switzerland, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
“Our vision is to offer a complete solution to companies, whether it's telematics to collect data, or fleet management,” explains Manuel Schuler, general manager of Shiftmove France.
The establishment of this unique platform responds to market demand. This expectation was reiterated by fleet managers at the last Connect Fleet organized in Deauville this autumn. “Today, professionals use telematics to track vehicles on the road, and in addition, or not, a fleet management solution,” says the manager. Practices still giving top billing to the Excel spreadsheet.
One Management ever more strategic fleets
In fact, Avrios combines telematics data, such as mileage, and its management. “It combines the best of both worlds,” explains Manuel Schuler. The solution put forward by the publisher has the advantage of simplicity, automation, but also operational efficiency.
On a daily basis, the platform aims to save time in processing administrative tasks, to limit errors, and to provide visibility with regard to the conditions for subscribing to rental contracts. With the ambition to reduce TCO by up to 20%, depending on the fleet. “We are observing an evolution in fleet costs, linked in particular to the technological complexity of vehicles,” emphasizes Manuel Schuler. Regulatory pressure is also stronger in terms of the environment.” The fiscal evolution surrounding AEN (benefits in kind), penalties, or even the LOM law (mobility orientation law), supporting the electrification of parks.
In this context, fleet management necessarily seems more strategic. The approach makes all the more sense, for fleets of more than 20 vehicles.
AI at the service of fleet management
For the manager, the French market for fleet management solutions has real potential for growth, as the segment remains poorly penetrated. “In France, we don't talk much about AI in fleet management tools for example, but that will change with Avrios,” he promises.
Thus, artificial intelligence will make it possible, for example, to integrate data from invoicing automatically. But it also aims to interpret data to allow a fleet manager to make strategic decisions concerning the electrification of its fleet, its sizing in relation to its rate of use, or even the choice of the most suitable vehicles.
“Our desire is to democratize access to the power of fleet management tools”, confides the manager. Because collecting data through telematics is not enough. You have to be able to study and analyze it in order to exploit it.
Ludovic BELLANGER
Posted on 18/12/2025
