Best Telematics Systems for Forklift Fleets in 2025

Best Telematics Systems for Forklift Fleets in 2025

Quick Summary:

Forklift telematics systems help fleets track machine usage and reduce downtime by scheduling regular maintenance. These solutions can help boost safety, productivity, and compliance across multi-site fleets. 

Choosing the right system for your usage depends on your fleet size, tech stack, and operational complexity. Learn what choices are out there and discover the best telematics systems for forklift fleets in 2025. 

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ipad mockup of a forklift telematics UI

What Is a Forklift Telematics System?

Forklift telematics is the pulse of your fleet. These comprehensive systems collect and transmit data from lift trucks to a centralized dashboard. They provide managers a detailed overview of your fleet’s performance, including real-time tracking reports of: 

  • Fleet location and routing: enables managers to monitor travel patterns and optimize routes to boost productivity.
  • Operator behavior: tracks unsafe driving patterns like speeding, excessive idle time, and collisions.
  • Battery health and fuel usage: allows operators to optimize charging schedules or fuel usage.
  • Maintenance schedules: logs the technology’s usage hours and triggers alerts based on pre-determined run hours, mileage, or engine diagnostics.
  • OSHA compliance events: keeps an event log of compliance checks, inspections, and fault codes to ensure all operators are practicing compliance.  

As explained in our guide to Advanced Forklift Technology and Fleet Management, telematics is no longer optional—it's the standard for efficient operations. The challenge is determining which system will provide the best visibility for your operations. 

In this guide, we've outlined the best telematics systems for forklift fleets in 2025 based on their features, benefits, price, and site layout. 


The Top Forklift Telematics Systems

1. Toyota T-Matics (Command & Mobile)

Best For Toyota Forklift Users & Enterprise Fleets.

Toyota launched its first telematics system in April 2025. It’s made up of 2 products: T-Matics MOBILE and T-Matics COMMAND. 

The mobile version works on a cellular signal, which is great for fleets that might rotate facilities. Command is better for fleets in fixed locations. Both systems increase warehouse efficiencies by tracking uptime and reporting on long-term trends. 

info card that lists out the features of the toyota t-matics telematics system

Why It's A Top Pick:

T-Matics seamlessly integrates with Toyota’s electric and gas/propane forklifts, and now supports AI-powered route optimization for large warehouses.

2. PowerFleet Industrial

Best For Mixed-Brand Fleets Needing To Boost OSHA Compliance.

PowerFleet Industrial’s forklift safety technology is a top choice for fleets operating in high density warehouses. Their telematics system uses AI-powered vision and automatic object detection systems to alert operators of potential obstructions, proactively preventing collisions in busy areas.

Its data systems are compatible with multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEM), giving supervisors complete visibility over their entire fleet in one central location.

Key Features:

  • Forklift Gateway vehicle access control (VAC): restricts driver access via PIN codes or key cards.
  • Pre-shift checklists: restricts driving controls if pre-operating checklists aren’t complete.
  • iCloud based dashboards with powerful integrations: tracks fleet-wide analytics in a central dashboard that integrates with multiple OEMs.  
  • AI-based pedestrian and object detection: alerts operators of pedestrians or objects obstructing their path.
  • Digital vehicle and event recording: records forklift activity, automatically storing clips of incidents. 
  • Maintenance work order automation: generates reports to optimize fleet usage and predict maintenance schedules to reduce downtime.

Why It's A Top Pick:

Their predictive analytics module is powered by AI and helps reduce unscheduled repairs by up to 30%.

3. GemOne Sapphire

Best For Small- to Mid-Sized Fleets.

GemOne Sapphire’s forklift telematics is a cloud-based system designed to improve safety, operator compliance, and complete visibility across mixed-brand fleets. The technology helps fleet managers monitor operator behavior and their equipment usage via intuitive dashboards and automated alerts. 

Features:

  • Operator access control: restricts usage of equipment via PIN codes or key cards.
  • Pre-shift checklists & safety lockouts: restricts driving controls if pre-shift checklists aren’t complete or there’s a critical issue with the equipment. 
  • Real-time impact notifications: alerts supervisors of collisions and driver misuse.
  • Integrated camera views (optional): enhances driver visibility and blind spots, and records video to assist in incident investigations. 
  • Battery monitoring: helps maximize charge cycles, reducing long-term wear on battery-powered machines. 
  • Plug-and-play hardware: easily integrates with most forklift models.

Why It's A Top Pick:

Now includes integration with warehouse management systems (WMS) and enterprise resources planning (ERP) software, streamlining reports across departments with increased oversight of your fleet. 

4. Jungheinrich ISM Online

Best For Europe-Based Fleets or Jungheinrich Equipment Users.

Jungheinrich’s modular telematics system gives supervisors a full-scale analysis of fleet safety via a cloud-based dashboard. Their technology is compatible across equipment types and multiple locations, so they’re a good choice for managing complex, mixed-brand fleets in a single platform. 

Features:

  • Multi-site remote fleet management: tracks and monitors fleets in several locations. 
  • Cost center assignments & equipment forecasting: associates usage data with cost centers to budget by location, department, or application.
  • Modular report structure: can pivot between basic (unit tracking), operating costs, safety, and productivity analyses based on what’s important to you.
  • Battery status monitoring: identifies potential operator errors, supporting staff members in preventing future errors and maximizing battery lifespans. 
  • Access controls & shock detection: used to restrict unauthorized access and track collisions.
  • Cloud-based dashboard: enables live visibility for supervisors to check reports from any web browser.

Why It's A Top Pick:

Great for lithium-ion fleets thanks to tight battery system integration. Pairs well with concepts from Forklift Battery Essentials.

5. ZTR InSite

Best For Construction & Outdoor Material Handling Applications.

ZTR InSite is an industrial-grade forklift telematics system built for fleets operating in rugged environments. Their system gives visibility across mixed equipment fleets of forklifts and other heavy machinery in a central, cloud-based dashboard. 

Features:

  • Cross-equipment integrations: compatible with forklifts, cranes, gensets, and other industrial equipment via Bluetooth, CAN Bus, Modbus, or analog I/O.
  • Real-time monitoring and diagnostics: collects fault codes, sensor data, and sends predictive maintenance alerts based on usage cycle data.
  • Satellite connectivity: enhances tracking coverage in remote locations or challenging areas. 
  • Cloud-based dashboard: enables mobile access for checking equipment locations, run-time, health, and other maintenance KPIs in real-time.
  • Equipment health scoring and service forecasting

Why It's A Top Pick:

Now offers integration with Caterpillar and Hyster/Yale platforms for multi-brand industrial fleets.

6. Hyster Tracker / Yale Vision

Best For Hyster-Yale Equipment Users.

Hyster Tracker and Yale Vision are two forklift fleet tracking systems that enhance safety and operational compliance through access controls, pre-shift, check-lists, and fault code alerts. They are compatible with non-Hyster and -Yale models, allowing companies to standardize their fleet management, regardless of their forklift brand. 

Features:

  • Operator access controls: limits the usage to only certified drivers via PINs or key cards.
  • Pre-shift checklists: restricts driving controls unless operators complete their OSHA-compliant checklist. 
  • Impact monitoring and alerts: logs event data, tracks impact severity, and records the collision (with a camera add-on).
  • Smart charging: prevents over-charging and monitors battery condition, extending the lifespan of the equipment.
  • Auto shutdowns and idle timer: powers down the forklift after a long period of inactivity, reducing emissions and conserving energy.

Why It's A Top Pick:

Includes visual dashboards tailored for logistics supervisors, and supports automated OSHA reporting.


How to Choose the Right Telematics System

Choosing the best telematics systems for your forklift fleet comes down to your performance needs. First, consider your fleet inventory: Do you need a system that can manage 5 or 500 forklifts? Is your fleet made up of a single brand of forklifts or will your telematics system need to be compatible across multiple OEMs? 

Next, consider your site layout and battery types: Will your forklifts be operating indoors, outdoors, or both? Does your system need compatibility with lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries?

From there, determine what safety and compliance features are most important to you: pre-shift checklist tracks? Driver behavior reports? WMS/ERP integrations?

Then compile a list of all of those considerations, labeling each specification as a “must-have” or “nice-to-have.” This will help you through the research process, and ultimately, help make your decision when you find a forklift telematics system that checks most – if not all – of your boxes. 

Explore more in our 2024 Forklift Tech Guide

Telematics ROI: Prices & Benefits of Telematics

infographic outlining the ROI of forklift telematics for tracking fleets

Forklift telematics systems can range in price. The initial cost of the hardware can cost as low as $50 or up to $200, depending on the provider that your choose. On top of that, most systems operate from a monthly subscription. The price can add up when you factor in the hardware costs, installation fees, and monthly subscription costs.

Tracking the telematics ROI is important to many providers because they investment they put into the technology is so steep. According to recent industry reports, most fleets using telematics experience a positive ROI in terms of safety, productivity, and overall machine health.


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FAQs About Forklift Telematics Systems

What is the best forklift telematics system in 2025?

The best system depends on your fleet. Toyota T-Matics is best for Toyota users, but PowerFleet and GemOne Sapphire are top choices for mixed-brand fleets. 

Can I add telematics to older forklifts?

Yes. Many forklift telematics systems offer plug-and-play kits that can retrofit existing forklifts with sensors and GPS tracking.

Do telematics systems help with OSHA compliance?

Absolutely. Most systems come equipped with access controls that prohibit non-certified drivers from operating the machines, and pre-shift safety checklists that won’t allow the engine to turn on without completing the items on the list. 

Many systems keep a log of these checks to help improve audits.

What is the cost of forklift telematics?

Basic systems start at or around $25/month per vehicle, but enterprise solutions can range from $50–$100+ depending on the features you're subscribed to.

Are there forklifts for sale that already have telematics installed?

Yes. Since telematics have become the industry standard, many buyers can find used forklift models that have already been retrofit with a telematics system.