Leveraging Telematics to Right-Size your Fleet: A Strategic Advantage for Equipment Managers

Brian Bickford, Fleet Manager, Sturgeon Electric (A Subsidiary of MYR Group)

In today’s construction and utility sectors, the pressure to operate leaner, safer and more efficiently has never been greater. With margins tightening and expectations rising, equipment and fleet managers are increasingly turning to data to drive smarter decisions. One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is telematics—and from my experience, Geotab continues to be at the forefront of this evolution.

Having worked with large and diverse fleets throughout my career—including my current role managing approximately 300 pieces of equipment for a business unit within Sturgeon Electric, part of MYR Group’s enterprise fleet of over 9,000 assets— I’ve come to view telematics not as a luxury, but as a necessity. It’s the foundation of our fleet right-sizing strategy and one of the most impactful tools I use to deliver financial value to the business.

Turning Data Into Decisions

Geotab’s telematics platform offers more than just location tracking; it’s a gateway to understanding how, when, and why our assets are being used. From monitoring engine hours to identifying underutilized equipment, the data allows us to make evidence-based decisions about what stays, what goes and what we might need less—or more—of.

Through custom reporting and dashboards, I’m able to collaborate with operations and leadership to align fleet composition with actual jobsite demand. This has reduced unnecessary capital expenditures, minimized downtime and improved job readiness across divisions.

A Seat at the Strategy Table

What’s often overlooked is how telematics can elevate the role of the fleet department within a company. At Sturgeon Electric, I serve on the MYR Group Telematics Strategy Committee—an initiative that brings together leaders across the enterprise to align on best practices, compliance, and the future of fleet technology. Being part of this committee has underscored how vital fleet data is not only to maintenance and logistics, but to broader operational planning and safety strategy.

“Telematics isn’t just about tracking—it’s about making smarter, data-driven decisions every day”

Telematics has enabled us to proactively manage risk through insights into driver behavior, idle time, harsh braking and speeding events. These analytics support our safety programs and contribute to our overall culture of accountability.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

If there’s one piece of advice I would give to fleet professionals considering a deeper dive into telematics, it’s this: don’t just collect data—engage with it. The true value comes from building workflows and conversations around the insights. Partner with your IT team, train your operations staff and invest the time up front to create policies that match your organizational goals.

Right-sizing your fleet isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing discipline. But with the right tools and the right mindset, it becomes a powerful lever for cost savings, operational efficiency and strategic alignment.

One of the more nuanced lessons I’ve learned involves the rollout of dash cams—a critical piece of our telematics ecosystem. Initially, we did not engage drivers early in the process and as a result, we experienced significant pushback. Understandably, there were concerns about privacy, monitoring and how the footage might be used. We quickly realized the importance of involving drivers from the start. By bringing them into the conversation, explaining how the cameras work and clarifying that the goal is safety and protection—not surveillance—we began to turn skepticism into support. Once drivers understood that the technology could exonerate them in the event of an incident and even recognize safe driving habits, we saw a noticeable shift in attitude. Transparency, we learned, isn’t just a best practice—it’s the foundation for building trust.

As we continue to embrace connected technologies, fleet leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of equipment management. And it starts with turning telematics from a tracking tool into a decision-making engine.