The number of UK businesses which are using telematics in 2016 has almost doubled since last year, according to a new report released by RAC.
The RAC Telematics Report 2016 found that around two thirds (65%) of all companies surveyed now use the device in their vehicles compared to 38% in 2015.
Businesses across all sectors have increased their use with business services the highest at 70%, retail at 67% and construction take-up at 66%.
In terms of firm size, 51% of sole traders claim they are using the technology now compared to 14% last year. Some 58% of small firms with 50 staff or fewer admit to using the device compared to 25% in the previous year. Usage from companies of between, 1,000 to 5,000 employees has gone from 29% to 67%.
The most popular reasons for the use is lower fuel costs as cited by 55% of respondents, fewer accidents (43%) and a reduction in maintenance costs (31%).
The RAC's telematics managing director Nick Walker said that businesses are now much more accepting of the technology because they recognise that the benefits outweigh previous concerns there may have been about tracking.
"We see that the world has moved on from a slight fear about telematics, the old 'Big Brother' image that is well behind us now, as people are seeing the benefits, and looking at how they can bring those benefits into their own fleets."
When asked what businesses want from the technology in the future, the most popular demand was connectivity with other business motoring services, as chosen by 58% of participants.
The second most common demand was direct reporting of faults from the device to their fleet manager or chief mechanic, so they know as soon as possible when there is a problem with a vehicle. This was cited by 50% of businesses.
"It's no longer about just keeping tabs on staff or vehicles, it's much more about managing the vehicle as an asset," Walker said.
The research is based on two samples of 500 UK businesses, in September 2015 and May 2016.