Connected operations have become the backbone of how fleets operate, shaping every aspect of their business. “Take safety, for example,” said Joe Mann, a Sales Manager at Samsara in the UK and Ireland. 

“AI first really made its mark in the industry with dash cams, helping to improve driver habits and reduce accidents. But in 2025, you can see that was only the gateway to the industry to see what was possible.

“[Today], we're seeing AI-connected training that helps to adapt to each worker to help you coach effectively at scale [and] connected incident management – built with insurance partners – that streamlines accident response time and visibility. 

“Safety technology has gone from being helpful to essential, and it's the same story with efficiency,” he said. 

Inside the story of connected operations

Joe’s comments shine a light on a sector that has been traditionally underserved by technology. Today, all that has changed with AI, automation, and real-time data now embedded in daily operations. 

Not only does that make an impact in terms of safety, efficiency, and sustainability, it also leaves its mark on those behind these game-changing systems and tools. Just ask Ruthie Ayres, part of Samsara’s enterprise sales team in the UK and Ireland.

“People often ask me why I joined Samsara,” said Ruthie. “Honestly, it was because I wanted to be part of something real. Something that makes a difference.”

For her, it’s the feedback she receives from customers that keeps her focused on the job. Being told that “your platform has helped us prevent a serious accident” or that a fleet manager was “thrilled” because they have “slashed fuel costs and improved driver safety” underlines the real-world impact that underpins the Samsara platform. 

“A customer told me after implementing Samsara that their drivers had gone six months without a speeding event, something they’d never achieved before. You could hear the pride in his voice, and I felt it too. That is not just a dashboard stat. That is changing behaviours – right there. When a customer wins, we win,” said Ruthie.  

A platform shaped by its users

Listening to Joe and Ruthie, it’s clear nothing in physical operations stands still for long. As safety protocols evolve to match new risks – and firms look to use data to power their fleets – the importance of the platform becomes paramount. That means listening to customers to understand the issues they face and how best to solve them. The result is a platform that’s practical, open, and built to scale

“Our platform is designed from the ground up to be open and scalable. And what truly drives our innovation is direct input from our customers. Every product enhancement and new feature is grounded in real-world, operational challenges and opportunities, making our technology practical and immediately impactful,” said Ruthie. 

It’s a view shared by Joe, who has seen a clear shift in mindset, whereby technology is no longer seen solely as a way to solve problems but as a strategic platform that underpins how modern fleets operate.

“When I joined Samsara five years ago, fleet operations were already embracing technology, but mainly to solve individual problems,” said Joe. “Back then, it was about solving specific challenges like using AI cameras to improve driver safety or getting real-time visibility into vehicle location, fuel, and maintenance. 

“So, what's changed in the last five years? Technology is now more than just supporting operations. It's literally driving business transformation at scale. Today, fleets are looking at tech as the foundation for future growth, making what they already do more efficient and rethinking what's possible. 

“That shift from solving problems to building strategy is the biggest change that I've seen, and it's really exciting to see that that's only accelerated. If you told me in 2020 we'd be doing half the things that we're doing now. I wouldn't have believed you,” he said.

Changing the way work gets done

Recently, for example, Samsara unveiled a host of new products focused on solving practical problems with smarter, more responsive tools. These include AI Multicam, which gives drivers a 360-degree view around the vehicle and delivers real-time alerts for nearby hazards such as pedestrians or cyclists. It’s a development aimed not just at capturing incidents but preventing them.

Then there’s Samsara’s new AI Assistant, which has now been integrated into both the Driver App and dashboard. Designed for frontline teams, it provides quick access to key information such as route details, hours-of-service updates, or safety procedures without the delays that often come from switching systems or waiting on responses from dispatch.

“No digging through paper. No calling dispatch. Just quick, reliable info on the go,” said Joe, “because frontline workers need specific, real-time answers when they really need them.

That's the next big frontier. Technology that's powerful and immediately useful to every person at that business.”

This kind of AI integration marks a step change, not just in how data is accessed, but in how intelligence is embedded directly into frontline workflows. What’s more, it’s a sign of just how far the people working in physical operations are embracing new technology.