In its simplest terms, Argus Tracking is a GPS tracking and fleet management software provider for ‘light’ business vehicles, however, look a little closer and you discover that they are so much more than that. With benefits for crucial areas such as health and safety, compliance, asset utilisation and sustainability, plus a mission to make every fleet manager’s life easier, Argus offers Intelligent GPS fleet management software ‘you will love to use’.
Argus as a business was originally started in 2007 by Aaron Muir, and began life as a GPS ‘where is my vehicle’ operation, but has significantly expanded its services and solution suite from there. Aaron sold the company late 2022 and with his background in software and startups, Andy Patrick took the helm last year. Since then, he and the team have raised the business to the next level and now maintain their status as a leading telematics provider in the industry.
CEO Andy Patrick explains that Argus are predominantly a software company, but also supply and install hardware GPS devices too, and although they target vehicles under three tonnes, their cloud-based, management solutions benefit all fleet sizes, whether that be one or thousands of vehicles or assets.
“There’s only a small number of what we refer to as tier one suppliers in the industry [Tier one relates to suppliers who can/and do offer services to government and large enterprise but specifically government], we’re one of those. And one of the things we do really well is client support,” says Andy.
And Dan Marson, Argus’s Operations Manager agrees, saying that they not only provide ‘the basic stuff’ GPS box installation and data acquisition, but translate it into useful knowledge too.
“If you want to boil it down to the bare bones, what we do is data collection, but for many, interpreting it is difficult. [At Argus] We are able to present data in easy to understand, usable and actionable points,” Dan explains.
“Something else that really separates Argus from our competitors is our fierce customer focus, and how this shapes the continual evolution of our product,” says Peter McDonald, Argus’s Director of Product. “We frequently engage with customers on multiple different channels to constantly gather their feedback and ideas to ensure that the vision we have for the future of Argus is aligned with our customer’s evolving needs. We’re incredibly agile, quick to explore new technology and work alongside our valuable customers to identify how that technology can be leveraged for their overall benefit.”
Argus’s list of features and services are both extensive and far reaching, including a ‘customisable dashboard’ that offers management insights into where, when and how their fleet is performing, and in real time, as it’s happening. However, Andy says that many of their clients’ conversations begin with driver education.
“Smaller businesses just want to know where their cars are, versus larger enterprises, hundreds of cars plus, not only want to know where their cars are, but are looking for ROI, employee safety, and sustainability,” says Andy. Adding that the data helps educate teams on how to drive better on the roads, which is a better outcome from a safety, efficiency, and cost perspective.
“If you’ve got quality driving behaviour, not only are you helping that bottom line, you’re also improving your reputation from a PR perspective, as well.” he says.
More often than not ‘speeding’ comes into the conversation, and it’s an area of focus that Dan says they excel in. “We’ve got probably the best speed zone mapping across New Zealand compared to all our competitors.
“Speed zones are big for us and it’s vital that we make sure that we’re accurate and we know what we’re telling our customers is correct.”
On that, New Zealand’s motoring landscape seems to be in constant motion, with the likes of electric vehicles being in and out of favour, RUC and emissions goalposts changing to name but a few, thankfully Argus is able to keep up to speed with the changes due to its integration with various organisations including the NZTA.
“They give us updates, but we’ve also got customer feedback as well. So, we have multiple data sources and we’re quickly updating changes,” says Dan.
With driver safety being paramount, Argus’s discrete data boxes not only monitor behaviour but can also come with a rollover sensor that can be linked to head office or emergency services. It’s extra peace of mind for all. The system can also be set up to know which employee is driving and when, even with pool cars.
With geo-fencing, reporting, performance benchmarking, servicing and compliance features all part of Argus’s long list of features, the team (arguably quite rightly) believes that they are the leading telematics provider in the industry.
“Naturally we’re biased but we think our reporting suite is up there with the best, if not the best, for sure. And being a tier one provider with some of the biggest government organisations and banks as our customers, it’s not too unbiased to say we’re up there,” says Andy.
Either way, they’re not resting on their laurels, and have a keen eye on the future with advanced geofencing and real-time video, inward and outward facing, on the menu along with a raft of additional features and products they will be bringing to market in the near future.
Overall, Argus Tracking believes in taking businesses on a ‘vehicle productivity journey’, helping enterprises of all shapes and sizes make the most of their fleets, not only assisting in positive driving behaviour but also honing in on cost efficiencies.
Andy ends by saying, “If [thanks to Argus] fleets are reducing in size for positive reasons, then that meets our internal mission around sustainability, improving client’s performance and the planet. We’re here to help their businesses grow, not add an extra layer of cost or complexity to it.”
