GPS technology is arguably one of the most important inventions of our time. As well as bringing a huge amount of convenience to our everyday lives, the advanced capabilities of GPS paved the way for tech companies to create sophisticated tracking systems that have completely reshaped entire industries. GPS-based fleet management systems offer a myriad of benefits for businesses. As well as being able to locate vehicles and assets on-demand – wherever they are in the world – business owners and field managers gain access to unparalleled management tools to help them optimise and expand their business operations. These innovative systems provide extensive applications and features that can be customised to meet an individual business’s needs. Some of these prominent tools truly redefine a company’s business practises, leading to improved productivity and revenue.
1- Real-time Tracking: The ability to locate moving vehicles on-demand has the potential to change every aspect of a transport and logistics operation. The entire operation relies on knowing where fleet vehicles are at all times. A lot of problems await fleet managers, including unexpected downtime, accidents and driver-related issues. Locating a vehicle experiencing an issue makes it much easier to prevent or deal with these problems. Real-time tracking allows any vehicle’s precise location to be pinpointed within minutes. The fleet manager can then promptly send the relevant help – whether it’s a replacement vehicle, roadside assistance, medical help or the police that’s needed.
2- Geofence Zones: Geofences are virtual boundaries that can be created around any location on a digital map. These predefined zones recognise whenever a vehicle tracker enters or leaves the area. This is an excellent way of keeping detailed logs of vehicles’ arrival and departure times, letting your drivers concentrate on the job at hand. However, one of the main advantages is increased vehicle and asset security. If an unplanned movement occurs, the tracking device will instantly notify the dispatchers and managers, so that they can alert the authorities promptly to prevent the thief from getting away with company property. Geofence zones can help automate most of a business’s security procedures. It’s unrealistic to keep an eye on every vehicle at all times, but no vehicle with an onboard tracker can move outside the specified zones without triggering a number of alerts and leaving a trail on the digital map.
3- Event Alerts: This customisable feature enables executives and managers to create automated alerts for events they want to be notified about, helping them manage their resources more efficiently. They can choose to be updated about almost any aspect of their operation via SMS, e-mail or instant notification. Some of the key events include geofence breaches, unauthorised vehicle use, aggressive driving behaviour, speeding or idling, malfunctions, collisions and other emergency situations. With automated event alerts, managers can prevent downtime, warn unruly drivers and stay informed about how their fleet is performing. This allows them to focus on their daily tasks and quickly confront problems as and when they arise.
4- Route History: Cloud-based tracking servers keep detailed logs of the routes travelled by every vehicle. Route history data is crucial for planning more efficient routes and improving the mileage on company vehicles. Optimised routes can lower fuel costs by up to 30% and decrease the time vehicles spend on the roads. When your drivers beat their ETAs without breaking traffic rules, customers will be more inclined to work with your company. Faster deliveries can even free up vehicles for additional job orders, which will increase overall productivity and benefit your profit margin.
5- Preventive Maintenance: After fuel expenses, maintenance costs are among the highest overheads for businesses operating a vehicle fleet. Preventive maintenance allows businesses to eliminate unexpected downtime and keep their vehicles healthy at all times. Vehicle maintenance is imperative to avoid breakdowns en route, which often result in excessive, unexpected and avoidable financial costs. Properly maintained vehicles are far less likely to malfunction or be involved in an accident due to a defective or worn-out part. GPS tracking devices grant managers the unique ability to access to engine error codes and generate diagnostic reports, which can help determine the vehicles in need of repairs before the problem worsens or creates larger issues.
6- Driver and Vehicle Activity Reports: Some fleet drivers are notorious for driving in dangerous and unauthorised ways, which can increase operational costs considerably. Businesses that have dozens or even hundreds of vehicles on the roads inevitably run into problems with employees from time to time. However, misbehaving drivers can rack up quite a bill through parking and speeding violations, as well as increased fuel usage. Idling, speeding and unauthorised personal use are common issues for any company with a vehicle fleet or company vehicles, but adopting a vehicle tracking system can help to identify and eliminate this type of behaviour.
There are countless advantages to upgrading your infrastructure to make the most of these advanced vehicle trackers. They can be game-changing for any organisation with a vehicle fleet by encouraging preventative maintenance, fuel optimisation and driver supervision. Real-time access to actionable and accurate data can help a company make more informed decisions and streamlined planning procedures. Executives can measure and manage every aspect of their business operation. With improved productivity and lower costs across the board, companies can expect increased revenue with fast return on their investment.
