John Mills is a Client Director at Samsara and part of the EMEA Enterprise Select Sales Team. He’s responsible for revenue growth in new and existing fleets among our biggest customers,  many of whom are household names. Nikolaos Papadopoulos is a Senior Account Executive in Samsara’s Mid-Market division, dealing with customers that are the powerhouse of the real-world economy. 

Although they serve different markets in a complex and diverse sector, what unites them is their passion to digitise a sector that is crying out for innovation and data-led insights. Here, they explain their motivation to be part of the technology revolution that is sweeping the world of transport, logistics, and construction — a sector we call physical operations.

Samsara has tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe driving the world of physical operations. Some are large fleets essential for transporting goods from A to B, while others specialise in international logistics or short-hop last-mile deliveries. 

The diversity and range of Samsara’s customers — which also include construction, field services and passenger transport — underline the importance of physical operations to the world in which we live. But while each customer is different, there is one thing that links them all. 

“What makes Samsara's technology important is the impact it has on our customers,” said Nikolaos. “First and foremost, it's about safety — keeping the drivers safe. But our technology also provides a tangible return on investment for our customers in terms of insurance savings, fuel savings, maintenance savings, and keeping their operations running smoothly.”

Samsara technology is helping to power physical operations 

To understand the role that Samsara’s technology plays, it’s important to understand the world of physical operations, which accounts for more than 40% of the global gross domestic product (GDP). 

“Samsara's customers are integral to everyday life,” said John. “Whether it's pulling food from a cupboard, installing a new TV, or receiving an internet order, chances are it's been delivered or installed by a Samsara customer. 

“The connected operations environment — and our customers which operate within that environment — are pivotal to day-to-day life. We want them to do that in the most safe and efficient way possible,” he said. 

That’s why organisations in the world of physical operations are turning to Samsara's cloud-based Connected Operations Platform. Built around millions of sensors creating billions of data points, it provides transport managers and business leaders with a real-time view of these areas, helping their operations run smoothly, save money, and work more efficiently. Crucially, the uptake of AI-enabled technology is also making these operations safer as well.  

Real-time data is fuelling change

“If I were to describe Samsara in a few words, I would call it a ‘comprehensive field operations platform’ that takes care of 90% of what a fleet operator needs — from cameras and telematics for tracking vehicles to ensuring compliance with industry regulations,” said Nikolaos.

For instance, in the year to the end of March 2024, Samsara’s AI-augmented safety systems prevented more than 200,000+ accidents, protecting frontline workers and their communities. 

We helped to prevent around 1.4 billion kilograms of CO2 from entering the atmosphere thanks to reduced engine idling and improved fuel efficiency. And we digitised more than 240 million + workflows, not only consigning outdated paper processes to the bin but freeing up frontline workers to focus on more meaningful tasks.

For those working for Samsara, it’s not just about our industry-leading technology. It’s the impact it has to make businesses safer, more efficient and more sustainable that’s key. It’s also helping to transform a sector by automating manual tasks, improving working conditions and leading to more fulfilling jobs.  

Physical operations are ready and primed for digital transformation

For those at Samsara, part of the challenge they face is convincing an industry — which has been neglected for too long —  that technology can make a difference. Persuading people about the benefits of a connected operations platform — in terms of return on investment, improved safety, lower operating costs, greater fuel efficiency, and as a route to decarbonisation — is a big part of the role that Samsara’s customer-facing teams need to do. 

“However, once they understand the potential changes, they are eager to implement them swiftly,” said John. “This sector offers a significant opportunity to drive change and help organisations better serve their customers.”

For Nikolaos, the insights he learns every day help him support his customers. 

“Working at Samsara has given me firsthand experience working with the people who keep the world running — from broadband and utility providers to the construction companies that build everything around us,” he said. “In my opinion, Samsara is just getting started. I believe we will have a significant impact in the European region, building on the success our US counterparts have already achieved.

“We aim to connect as many vehicles and devices to the platform as possible, generating a ton of data and ensuring our customers comply with the latest regulations, reducing insurance costs, carbon emissions, and, above all, keeping drivers safe,” he said. 

Join Samsara’s Sales Team Today

If you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the world of physical operations — to help make businesses more efficient, more sustainable and safer — then talk to us at Samsara. 

To find out more about the latest job opportunities available visit our Careers Page.