We chose Oakville, Ontario because we can access the specialized pool of talent we need from several world-class academic institutions. Geotab is using big data to help define the future of mobility Geotab is a telematics firm serving more than 40,000 companies worldwide, with 1.7 million vehicles operating its fleet management technology – and the company continues to strengthen its position as a global leader, having delivered 40% year-over-year growth for five consecutive years. Geotab differentiates itself by providing an open platform solution that allows customers to add capabilities to their telematics data, with further customization available through the integration of mobile apps, software add-ins and hardware accessories found in the Geotab Marketplace. In 2018, Geotab introduced a new tool, data.geotab.com, allowing data to be utilized to improve city-wide efficiency. Changing the public’s attitude towards telematics GPS usage was confined to the military and was made available for consumer applications in the 1990s. This powerful new technology had many uses but Neil Cawse, Geotab’s CEO, saw an opportunity to leverage position and data analytics for businesses in a way never before used. This application today may look obvious but back then the best applications were not very clear. The original goal of the platform was “to help businesses boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve driver safety,” says Cawse. And although ‘vehicle tracking’ was first met with skepticism due to its association with ‘Big Brother,’ the powerful benefits for businesses and drivers soon won over the critics. Geotab’s persistence has indeed paid off, as the company now provides fleet management solutions to top Fortune 500 companies and was recently ranked the #1 telematics company in the world by ABI Research. It’s also the first telematics company to receive FIPS 140-2 validation for its cryptographic library. This designation has put Geotab under a spotlight, helping the company secure the largest telematics contract in history by the Government Services Administration (GSA) fleet, which includes more than 200,000 U.S. government vehicles. Geotab also landed another large contract when the State of California took notice. Ontario’s diverse talent and ecosystem The success of the company is supported by more than 1,000 Geotab employees across the globe, including nearly 450 who work out of the head office in Oakville, Ontario. Looking at Ontario as a whole, Cawse sees it as a magnet for top talent from all over the world: Toronto and the surrounding cities have become a huge draw for immigration, which allows Geotab to attract highly skilled employees who are not necessarily born in Canada. [And] we are also directly connected to the tech ecosystem of the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, and Waterloo. The company has taken advantage of its proximity to academic institutions, establishing a university research and development program and sharing its aggregate data for courses as well as data/AI challenges. Cawse says Oakville’s family-friendly environment was an added bonus. Since then, the company has expanded its presence in Ontario with the addition of its Waterloo office. As the world changes, Geotab looks ahead Geotab boasts one of the biggest diagnostic data sets in the world, processing more than 40 billion data points every day. This data constantly flows into computers running its AI-driven algorithms, which continues to deliver products that assist customers in optimizing their businesses. Beyond Geotab’s fleet customers, “AI is being used to generate additional value for municipalities for everything from predicting hazardous driving areas, intersection congestion and road quality - all organically through a network of connected vehicles,” says Cawse. As vehicles continue to be more connected to city infrastructure and the volume of electric vehicles increases, Geotab is looking ahead, building technology that will power the future of mobility. “Geotab is leading the way by leveraging transportation data to bring life-changing benefits to society,” adds Cawse. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to learn more about thriving IoT companies that call Ontario home.
Op EdYour Future in Ontario: A Roadmap for Innovation and Collaboration at the Heart of North American MarketsIn his feature article, Minister Fedeli sets out how Ontario is working proactively across industry sectors as forward-looking companies position for long-term growth in an… spotlights4 reasons Ontario cities are at the forefront of Canada-wide Site Selection magazine rankingsOntario communities are at the forefront of Site Selection magazine’s 2021 competitiveness rankings. Of 21 Canadian communities highlighted, 10 are in Ontario. Publications Why tech workers choose Ontario, CanadaIn Ontario, Canada embraces its image as a cultural mosaic by employing talent from all around the world. Learn about immigration support to the province. Videos Choosing London, Ontario for food manufacturing with sustainability pioneer Aspire Food GroupAspire is taking aim at one of the biggest challenges of our time: food security. A pioneer in the field of sustainable insect agriculture, Aspire Food Group is building the… success storiesAspire Food Group chooses London, Ontario for its “first-of-a-kind” cricket protein manufacturing facilityAspire Food Group is building the world’s first fully automated food-grade insect protein manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. spotlightsMeet the automobility capital of Canada: Windsor-EssexThe Windsor-Essex region in Ontario—known for excellence in automotive technology and R&D—is leading the way in EV development. success storiesOntario-based quantum computing startup Xanadu says it “couldn’t imagine setting up business anywhere else”In the quantum race, companies like Xanadu are choosing Toronto, Ontario for its strategic advantage. Press ReleaseOntario and Michigan Partnering on Cross-Border Transportation TechnologiesOntario and Michigan partnering on cross-border transportation technologies. Projects will help people and goods move safely and efficiently across the border by land, air and… spotlights10 cybersecurity companies to watch in 2021Startups, giants and unicorns—find out more about leaders to watch in Ontario’s uniquely collaborative cybersecurity ecosystem. spotlightsThree Ontario markets drive tech talent acceleration across North AmericaCBRE recognizes Toronto, Ottawa and Waterloo as key tech talent destinations among 50 North American markets. spotlights12 biotechnology and life sciences organizations to watch in 2021Ontario is home to a thriving biotechnology sector, with an abundance of top institutions, researchers, developers and manufacturers. success storiesRoche looks to Ontario, Canada to help accelerate innovations in health careWhen Roche Canada colleagues saw the opportunity to establish a centre of excellence (CoE) for artificial intelligence, they knew the best home would be in Canada.
