Today’s announcement by Seeing Machines (AIM: SEE) that it has signed a non-exclusive global distribution partnership with telematics provider Mix Telematics is great news on a number of levels.

Firstly, it provides a ringing endorsement of SEE’s Fleet technology, designed to drastically reduce accidents due to driver fatigue and distraction. Moreover, as a major player in the global fleet industry, with 578,000 subscribers across 120 countries MiX Telematics will enable SEE to leverage its global distribution and installation network.

As Lorne Daniels, analyst at house broker FinnCap notes: “Fatigue and distraction is a huge and growing issue for both private drivers and fleets, particularly with the growing mobile functionality and dependency. Telematics is vital for modern fleet management. Yet installing and subscribing for a number of different in-cab systems is difficult for fleet managers. Combining telematics and driver monitoring solutions in one device and from one supplier clearly makes sense, reducing cost and complexity.”

It should be a win for customers of both customers and Lorne confidently states: “…we expect a substantial increase in Guardian sales volumes over the next few years.”

I’m therefore very optimistic that within the next 6-12 months we should see substantial upward revision of sales estimates for Fleet.

Exclusive interview

Today, in an exclusive interview with Paul Angelatos, Chief Operating Officer at Seeing Machines, I put a few questions to him regarding this latest development. I’ve provided the full text in Q&A format below:

Chris Menon:  Given the amount of injuries and deaths caused by driver fatigue and distraction in trucks/lorries etc, how great an impact do you think the combined offering will have in reducing accidents among your customers?

Paul Angelatos: We have shown (peer reviewed paper written by Prof Mike Lenne and presented at this years ITS Conference in Melbourne) that when our Guardian solution is implemented, coupled with real time monitoring, we can reduce the occurrence of fatigue events and distraction by up to 91%.  When we integrate with MiX telematics, who are industry leaders in fleet safety in their own right, we will also have a greater understanding of what is occurring in front of the vehicle, how the vehicle is being driven (based on data MiX take from the vehicle), and then provide detailed analysis of a whole range of factors, including the driver’s state, in a single report.  This is a powerful tool for fleet operators who are focussed on safety.

Chris: What are the projected sales of the new offering over the next 1-2 years?

Paul: That is difficult to put a figure on this. What both companies know is that we are independently increasing our sales each year and both companies have identified demand for the other parties services with current and prospective customers. We already have overlapping customers that present opportunities for integration and we have a product that is complementary (rather than competing with each other). Even small percentages of the addressable market (both companies existing sales pipelines) will lead to solid returns.

Chris: Is it an exclusive global agreement across the world or is it restricted to certain territories?

Paul: It is a Global non-exclusive agreement. This is the first stage in our relationship and it is important for both companies to pursue opportunities as they see fit. As we progress and demonstrate our relative value to each other, the relationship may take a different shape.

Chris: Have you committed to a minimum order immediately?

Paul: There is no minimum commitment from either party.  This is an agreement that has been a long time in the making. We have developed a strong degree of trust with each other and are comfortable that our cultures a well aligned and we share the same motivation. An arbitrary minimum commitment from either party wasn’t deemed necessary.

Chris: What will be the approximate cost of the combined product in terms of upfront purchase and then monthly fees?

Paul: We will shortly be undertaking some joint marketing with MiX. We will save the release of our pricing for that occasion.  Needless to say, our customers will receive greater value by installing our combined integrated offering than they would by taking the two solutions independently.

The writer holds stock in Seeing Machines.