Q&A: Samsara’s Philip van der Wilt on Digital Operations
As SVP and General Manager for Samsara EMEA, Philip van der Wilt leads the regional strategy in EMEA, supporting customers across transportation, logistics and manufacturing.
Samsara is a global tech company with operations in the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe, providing technological support for companies including global names like DHL and XPO.
Philip works towards making physical operations safer, more efficient and more sustainable with Samsara’s ‘Connected Operations Platform’. This platform harnesses real-time data and AI to run modern operations, including AI-enabled dashcams, digital workflows and predictive maintenance to real-time route planning.
In today’s volatile trade and logistics landscape, how is Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform helping organisations respond more quickly and effectively to disruption?
Our platform empowers fleet managers to monitor their whole operation from a single dashboard and all via a single pane of glass.
We are the system of record for operations of all shapes and sizes.
What are the key challenges your customers in Europe are facing right now, and how does real-time IoT data help them adapt their operations?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Birmingham, Bonn or Bordeaux, driver safety is the number one priority for all fleets across Europe. And dual-facing dash cams – combined with AI and instant data analysis – have become the game changer for protecting drivers.
How are your customers using Samsara to support their electrification strategies, and what lessons can others learn from their experiences?
We help firms by providing real-time data and insights to optimise electric vehicle adoption, charging, routing and overall fleet efficiency.
For us, fleet electrification isn’t just about acquiring new vehicles. Instead, it’s about helping leaders use data to make informed decisions in their journey to electrification.
Based on findings from your State of Connected Operations report, what trends or shifts do you see shaping fleet management and logistics in EMEA over the next 12-24 months?
Over the next couple of years, the biggest shift in fleet management across EMEA won’t just be about new technology – it’ll be about smarter, more human-focused safety. The job of a professional driver is demanding, and while many fleets have already started using tools like AI dash cams, we’re going to see these technologies evolve to become even more supportive.
What advice would you give to organisations looking to digitise their fleet operations but unsure where to start?
My advice is simple. Start with a clear problem to solve and focus on the job in hand. Rather than trying to digitise everything at once, begin by identifying your most pressing challenge – whether it’s improving driver safety, reducing fuel costs, enhancing compliance or gaining better visibility across your fleet.
When you’re choosing a platform, make sure it’s scalable and can integrate multiple functions such as dashcams, telematics, route optimisation and asset tracking into a single, cloud-based system. That way, you avoid data silos and set yourself up for long-term flexibility.
And finally, whatever you decide to do, make sure you involve your people every step of the way. Digital transformation in fleet operations works best when drivers, dispatchers, and fleet managers are part of the process. Ultimately, digital transformation in fleet operations is about people. The more your technology supports them, the more successful your journey will be.
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