GPS tracking isn’t something you call ‘new’, it appeared for public use in the 1980s. However, recently, due to technological advances like IoT and connected devices, GPS fleet management has improved considerably and resultantly refined the trucking industry.
Fleet managers can now easily track their vehicles’ locations, view past visited locations, and optimize fuel spend. These systems are improving fleet operations and public communities as companies can deliver better information to their clients and customers.
What is A GPS Tracking System?
GPS tracking system is a technology that uses satellites combined with Earth based stations to pinpoint the location of objects or people on Earth. It works by receiving signals from satellites and calculating the distance to determine the exact location.
These systems are common for navigation, monitoring vehicles, and tracking assets. GPS fleet management is a specific use of GPS tracking designed for managing a group of vehicles, such as trucks or cars, efficiently. It helps businesses track their fleet’s location in real-time, monitor driver behavior, optimize routes, and improve overall operational efficiency. Moreover, fleet GPS tracking enhances safety, reduces fuel costs, and increases productivity.
Reasons to Invest in GPS Fleet Management
Fleet tracking has become the most valuable tool in day-to-day activities for fleet managing companies. The technology gives the managers of numerous industries real-time vehicle insights which they can use to make better decisions.
Real-time Location Visibility
GPS tracking systems display all the vehicles on a live map allowing access to real-time locations. Moreover, you can click on each vehicle and see their historical data and track driving issues like harsh braking, engine idling, and speeding.
Reports show that these GPS fleet management have reduced harsh braking incidents and engine idling by 75% and 60%, respectively [1]. Furthermore, features like geo-fencing allow to ensure that vehicles operate within the given zone.
Boost Customer Service
GPS tracking ensures better customer service as you can deliver accurate ETAs about shipment arrivals and updates on the vehicle’s environmental conditions.
Moreover, you can promptly communicate with your customers, if there are any delays or schedule changes. By maintaining a healthy customer relationship you can create a sense of loyalty which will give you an edge over your market competitors.
Fraud Avoidance
GPS fleet management allows you to see where your vehicles are and for time they have stayed there. This feature is handy for gas and oil companies, which spending a specific amount of time on the site is critical to get paid.
Timesheet fraud is another common phenomenon that occurs in fleet operations. Drivers or staff members can falsify their timesheets and bill you for the ‘unworked hours’ as well. Logging your logs digitally, helps you avoid timesheet frauds and ultimately save money.
Improved Vehicle Safety
Cargo thefts have a history of creating problems for fleet managers. Reports indicate that in 2018, there were 592 cargo thefts in the United States worth 142,342 dollars [3].
However, now, owing to fleet tracking solutions, fleet companies can keep an eye on the vehicle’s live location and quickly notice if the vehicle detours from the specified route. Furthermore, geo-tracking ensures that your fleet stays compliant by offering a detailed record of drivers’ activities.
Optimized Routes
Taking the long route due to the unfamiliarity with the area is something every driver can relate to. While this may be fun occasionally, for fleet owners it means devouring fuel and budget. You can review the best and the worst roads from the historical data of previous trips and pick the best routes for delivery.
Moreover, you can communicate the details of the routes before the trip begins. This minimizes the use of phones while driving ensuring safer drives. Fleet tracking services also provide real-time route alternates in the case of traffic jams or other reasons, leading to in-time delivery.
Less Paperwork
Tracking invoices, and entering data about starting and ending times manually is a nerve-wracking job. But, now, with GPS fleet management you can eliminate all the unnecessary paperwork and workforce.
A look at your fleet tracking software’s dashboard gives you all the necessary insights, and you can also save in all the analytics in different editable file formats and print when needed.
Transparency
GPS tracking companies’ gadgets monitor every turn and stop the vehicle makes to ensure that the vehicles are used only as intended. These transparency features are significant for public organizations accountable to taxpayers and other monitoring entities.
The data collected from these tracking systems is incredibly valuable in audits and performance reviews. Moreover, it fosters public confidence in the company’s services.
Cost-Effective Workflows
Managing vehicle-related expenses was a disaster before GPS fleet management. However, now you can identify the budget-draining things and apply targeted strategies to make things cost-efficient.
Studies hint that identifying the best routes, initiating idling alerts, and improving MPG efficiency can save you 750 pounds per vehicle [2]. It also ensures timely vehicle diagnosis as you can monitor engine performance to set timely maintenance.
Better Dispute Resolution
Disputes are common among fleet driving staff or staff and customers and can be fairly difficult to tackle sometimes. However, fleet tracking companies’ softwares tracks the length, time, and date for every task, so there is no confusion about the legitimacy of disputing members.
Moreover, it can also help unknot the staff disputes if a member feels they have been treated unfairly about a specific job.
Reduce Environment Damage
Environmental damage is also a critical aspect for fleet managers. Recently, many companies have been under the pressure of various public authorities to reinspect the damage they do to Earth.
Company GPS tracking systems allow you to keep an eye on the vehicles and know exactly where they are going. This way you can reduce the amount of carbon being emitted into the environment. In essence, lowered fuel costs benefit you and low emissions benefit the environment.
The Final Verdict
The integration of GPS fleet management technology has revolutionized the trucking industry, offering unprecedented levels of efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Real-time location visibility, optimized routes, and enhanced customer service are just a few benefits among many.
As the industry continues to transform, embracing solutions like FleetPeek ensures that your company stays ahead, delivering excellence in service, sustainability, and overall operational performance.
FAQs
- Are GPS tracking softwares customizable?
Yes, GPS software companies offer customization updates regularly. Hence, you can easily scale the system to accommodate the updated needs. Customizable features include altering the fleet size and varying the geographical area and other operational complexity.
- How does fleet tracking increase productivity?
GPS fleet management enhances productivity by ensuring transparency, optimized vehicle allocation, and reduced downtime through precise location monitoring for efficient job assignments.
- What are the potential cost savings with fleet tracking?
GPS fleet tracking yields, reduced fuel expenses, improved maintenance planning, lower insurance premiums, decreased overtime, streamlined administrative processes, and enhanced operational efficiency.
- Is GPS fleet management only beneficial for large fleet companies?
No, absolutely not! GPS fleet monitoring benefits fleets of all sizes with scalability and customization, catering to diverse organizational needs and budgets effectively.
Links
[1]https://www.itconvergence.com/blog/improve-fleet-maintenance-route-planning-fleet-tracking/
[2]https://gomotive.com/blog/gps-benefits-fleets/
[3]https://techround.co.uk/tech/benefits-gps-fleet-tracking-software/
