Telematics solutions provider Insurance & Mobility Solutions (IMS) has launched a new development framework which allows auto insurance companies, mobility companies, and governments to rapidly create scalable and configurable telematics apps.
The Ontario-based company’s new One App software development kit (SDK) offers clients full control over the configuration of customer-facing apps, and it is not limited to just a change in branding or user interface. One App allows program-level customization for core functionality and feature sets, and can enable dynamic displays of content and messaging based on individual customer journeys.
IMS’ One App SDK makes this degree of customization possible thanks to its proprietary “Dynamic Cards” system, which enables plug-and-play content of any format – from video to text, or even graphically rich displays, IMS explained in a release. The content can be displayed at the relevant time to ensure app user engagement.
The SDK eliminates the need for insurers and/or mobility providers to launch separate apps to take advantage of telematics capability; IMS’ One App can be embedded within in-market, third-party apps to augment functionality. Not only does this streamline the end-user experience, it also reduces the burden of having to manage multiple telematics apps.
“Many telematics apps in the market today are quite one-dimensional, simply providing the same type of one-way driver feedback on safety scores, trip durations, and distances travelled, right from day one through to the user’s subscription expiring,” said IMS chief product officer Ed Rochfort.
According to Rochfort, after using one-dimensional telematics apps, there is a risk that the users become disengaged, especially once their driving data stabilizes; this phenomenon is what IMS calls “driver feedback fatigue,” and it is something IMS is trying to address with its One App SDK.
“While providing driver feedback is a central capability within One App, we believe successful telematics apps need to do more to keep users fully engaged, become safer drivers, and stay loyal to the program,” the chief product officer said.
