Installing new fleet management hardware shouldn’t slow your business down. But too often, that’s exactly what happens when every new device requires a scheduled visit from a technician and hours off the road.
There’s a better way to get hardware into your fleet – without wasting time, overspending on installations, or sidelining your vehicles.
Mapon Plug & Play devices are designed for quick deployment with minimal effort. They give you the flexibility to set up dashcams and GPS trackers on your own schedule. No technician is needed, and there is no extra installation cost.
Here’s how it works, when it makes sense, and where professional installations ensured by the Mapon technician team still fit in.
The cost of traditional installs
Installing fleet hardware with the help of external technicians adds up quickly – not just in direct costs, but also in coordination effort and vehicle downtime.
Each installation typically requires:
- Scheduling a visit from a technician, often days or weeks in advance
- Parked vehicles waiting for setup
- Labour fees that vary depending on location and complexity
One of fleet industry studies highlighted that the cost of vehicle downtime can be around 727 GBP or 840 EUR per day per vehicle in lost business revenue. This isn’t something any fleet manager is happy about.
And while some idle time is inevitable – think scheduled repairs or accidents – removing the truck from the road for a whole day to install just one dashcam just isn’t sustainable.
Multiply that across dozens or hundreds of vehicles, and the impact becomes clear. It’s not just about the price tag but primarily about delayed deployments, missed deadlines, and reduced availability.
| Standard Installation | Plug & Play | |
| Setup Time | Up to 30 minutes per vehicle (requires additional time for coordination) | Up to 30 minutes per vehicle (done on your schedule) |
| Technician Needed | Yes – scheduled in advance | No – install it yourself |
| Vehicle Downtime | Medium to high | Minimal to none |
| Scheduling | Requires coordination with the installer | Install anytime |
| Scalability | Slower to roll out across large fleets | Quick to deploy for any vehicle |
| Installation Cost | 48 – 72 hours | 12 – 24 hours |
| Ideal For | Advanced configurations or custom setups | Quick installs for compatible vehicle models |
| Setup Location | Fixed location or tech garage | Wherever the vehicle is |
Plug & Play: install on your terms
Plug & Play devices remove the friction from setup. There’s no technician, no specialised tools, and no wasted time waiting around. You or your team can install each device when the vehicle is available.
Here’s what Plug & Play means in practice:
- Setup time: Same as technician installs, but on your schedule
- Next to no coordination required – install anytime, anywhere
- Zero vehicle downtime from waiting or queueing for installs
- No added fees for installation
- Scalable for fast rollouts across fleets of any size
- Especially suitable for adding hardware when the fleet gets expanded
Mapon’s Plug & Play hardware
Plug & Play support is available for several of Mapon’s core hardware devices:
- Dashcams: single-camera units with OBD2 connectivity are fully Plug & Play compatible.
- Mapon Basic GPS tracker: suited for most vehicles with accessible power sources.
- Mapon Expert GPS tracker: works in European trucks with digital tachographs. No need to access hidden wiring or disassemble panels.
For many fleet types, especially those with standardised vehicles and straightforward tracking needs, these devices can be installed quickly and independently.
Our clients confirm: self-installations need 30 minutes max
For Delta LV, a fleet operator looking to equip over 100 vehicles with dash cameras, flexibility was key. A Mapon technician visited Delta LV’s service centre to train their in-house electrician on the first installation. From there, the company handled the rest itself, completing installs based on vehicle availability and internal priorities.
Other clients have had similar success:
“I literally had to connect two wires – installation couldn’t be easier!”
Skujas M.
“Instructions were detailed enough to be used for virtually every car model of our fleet.”
CM Serviss
When Plug & Play is the right fit
Plug & Play is the best choice when:
- You’re rolling out devices across multiple vehicles in a short timeframe
- Your vehicles support OBD2 and have accessible hardware points
- You don’t want to wait for technician availability
- You’re running a pilot or test phase and want to install just a few units quickly
It’s also a strong option when working with seasonal fleets, where vehicle numbers increase temporarily and fast equipment setup is essential.
When professional installation is better
Not every setup is the optimal choice for Plug & Play. Some hardware configurations require a skilled hand, especially when:
- The battery is hard to access (e.g., under the driver’s seat)
- You’re installing multi-camera systems with DVRs (digital video recorders)
- Tachograph wiring is poorly installed or located behind interior panels
In these cases, a professional technician ensures reliability, safety, and compliance with manufacturer guidelines.
Mapon handles all technician installations, even internationally
Mapon offers professional installation services in countries where we have offices – and in those where we don’t.
Our technicians are used to travelling and have gone as far as Chile to equip fleets with the right hardware.
We ensure every install meets quality standards, no matter the location. Just recently, our team handled professional installations of 1,200+ GPS trackers and 280 dash cams for a new client in Denmark. Your fleet’s size and location are not the limit!
Whether you’re equipping a local fleet or scaling across multiple markets, we can coordinate technician installs that fit your schedule and operational needs.
Getting started with Plug & Play
Launching Plug & Play is simple:
- Contact our sales team at [email protected]
- Share your vehicle list (make, model, year)
- Receive your devices
- Install and activate tracking—on your terms
No scheduling, no installation costs, no downtime.
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Plug & Play isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – but when it fits, it delivers real savings in time, cost, and operational effort.
For standardised vehicles and fast-moving teams, it means faster setups and smoother scaling. For more complex installations, Mapon’s technician service covers the rest, locally or abroad.
Want to find out which approach works best for your fleet? Get in touch, and our team will help you out!