GPS fleet tracking is an essential tool for modern fleet management. It offers a variety of benefits, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced productivity.
GPS fleet trackers transmit vehicle and driver data to a satellite above Earth, which then relays this information to a wireless carrier tower on the ground. This allows the fleet manager to view real-time vehicle locations.
Real-Time Information
Using GPS technology, telematics systems receive real-time data from the tracking device placed on vehicles and assets. This information is then pushed back to the fleet management platform, where the business can interpret and report it. The most basic telematics systems display vehicle location, while more advanced solutions measure and monitor things like driver safety, compliance, workflow efficiency, maintenance management, and more. Some even have artificial intelligence capabilities that can directly answer business questions and flag performance trends.
Tracking equipment and vehicles at all times can help prevent theft and improve overall security. The devices can also be used to notify staff if they are moving a vehicle without permission, alerting them to potential issues and providing peace of mind for the company.
GPS tracking can also identify areas where drivers need additional training, helping to boost productivity and customer satisfaction. Businesses can also use the data to highlight areas that are causing problems for their customers, giving them an opportunity to address these issues and make improvements.
Managing multiple trucks and other assets simultaneously can be difficult, making it important for a business to have a clear view of its entire operation. GPS fleet tracking provides this visibility by allowing managers to check on the progress of all assets, vehicles, and drivers at any point in time. This allows them to respond quickly to any issues and deliver the goods and services your customers expect in a timely fashion.
If a truck or other asset breaks down, you may need to reroute shipments, rearrange delivery schedules, and incur overtime costs. With GPS tracking, you can get an alert as soon as the breakdown occurs, no matter where the vehicle is. This can help minimize delays, keep your customers happy, and reduce the stress and expenses for everyone involved.
In addition to monitoring the status of vehicles and shipments, GPS systems can also provide data that is useful for ensuring compliance with regulations such as hours of service, International Fuel Tax Agreements (IFTA), and more. A team with the right tools and knowledge can access and analyze this data easily.
Safety
GPS tracking solutions provide real-time data that helps businesses optimize their financial management. For example, fleet managers can analyze route data and make decisions that reduce fuel costs and improve productivity. In addition, the devices can also help fleets monitor driver behavior and identify areas of improvement. For instance, the devices can alert fleet managers when drivers are speeding or engaging in other unsafe driving practices that waste fuel and money. Businesses can reduce fleet expenses and increase productivity by implementing a safe driving program that incorporates driver training and incentives.
In addition, tracking systems can help drivers avoid traffic violations and fines. For example, if a driver receives a traffic ticket, fleet management systems can pull up the driving data to prove the violation was not warranted. This can save a lot of time and money.
One of the most significant expenses for transportation businesses is fuel. By installing a GPS tracking device in every vehicle, companies can monitor the amount of fuel they use and make decisions to reduce fuel costs. The technology can detect when a driver is wasting fuel by excessively idling, speeding, or hard braking. It can also notify drivers to slow down or take alternative routes that will reduce their fuel usage.
Fleet management systems can also track if vehicles are being used for side jobs or other unauthorized activities. This can prevent costly wear and tear on the fleet and protect the company’s reputation. In addition, the system can identify if an employee is driving a vehicle outside of business hours or is using the truck to travel to another city for personal reasons. Companies can save money on maintenance and fuel expenses by eliminating these side jobs.
A GPS tracking system can also eliminate billing discrepancies by providing digital proof that employees are working the hours they’re billed for. This can help build customer trust, loyalty and improve overall service levels.
Fuel Efficiency
Running a transportation business is not easy. There are deadlines to meet and promises to keep. With GPS tracking, transportation businesses can save operational costs and improve productivity by monitoring their vehicles’ location and performance in real-time.
GPS tracking systems can help transport companies cut fuel costs by reducing idle time and optimizing driving routes to avoid traffic congestion. A GPS system can also alert fleet managers when their drivers stray from the intended route, helping them identify the cause of the deviation (i.e., a road closure or traffic snarl-up) and take the necessary steps to address the issue. Over the course of months, improvements in driving efficiency and fuel consumption can add up to significant savings.
GPS tracking can also protect assets by allowing fleet management to monitor the status of their vehicles and equipment. A good system can even provide remote authorization settings to allow managers to watch over and protect a truck and its cargo while keeping it in motion. They can also share vehicle location information with law enforcement for faster recovery if the vehicle is stolen.
Frequent delays or wrong deliveries won’t sit well with your customers, regardless of your industry. A GPS tracking system can ensure your team is on schedule and that all orders are delivered successfully, which leads to customer satisfaction and more positive reviews.
Fleet management systems can collect and analyze data on an ongoing basis, allowing companies to track key metrics such as driver safety, fleet performance, compliance, workflow optimization, and maintenance. They can then use this data to make informed decisions that positively impact the bottom line.
A good GPS system will allow a fleet manager to optimize routing, which can significantly reduce overall fleet operating costs. Besides saving on fuel, this can help minimize overtime expenses and reduce the need for additional personnel to oversee operations. Additionally, a tracking system can prevent expensive repairs by monitoring engine hours and providing reminders for scheduled maintenance based on mileage or time. This helps companies manage maintenance expenses and maximize the lifetime of their vehicles.
Routing
As the industry continues to evolve, businesses that focus on fleet management must keep pace with technological advances. GPS fleet tracking is one tried-and-tested technology that can help transportation businesses gain a competitive edge. GPS tracking goes well beyond dots on a map and provides a wealth of important information to support key business functions.
GPS systems monitor vehicles in real-time to provide the most accurate location data possible. They can also assist with route planning to ensure that trucks are going where they need to go, saving time and fuel. In addition, a reliable GPS tracking system can help to reduce the amount of paperwork that a business needs to complete. By digitizing processes like pre-trip inspections, job dispatch, and proof of delivery, fleets can cut out unnecessary paperwork and focus on getting the work done.
One of the most significant benefits of fleet tracking is that it helps to improve driver safety. Many fleet software solutions include hardware to monitor driver behavior, including speeding, sudden braking, and unscheduled stops. These behaviors not only waste gas but they can also lead to costly accidents. By analyzing this information, fleet managers can identify the best drivers and those who need additional training.
Modern vehicle tracking systems will also alert fleets when their trucks divert from their planned routes. This allows businesses to find out what caused the detour so they can correct the issue. Often, it’s because the route is congested or there is an issue with the truck. In that case, the company can assign a different truck to the task or plan a new route for the drivers.
Finally, a reliable GPS tracking system will allow for two-way communication between dispatch and drivers. This can be particularly useful when a customer is waiting for an order to be delivered. If a driver is tied up with another client, the dispatcher can let the customer know that they’re working on it and will be there soon.
Using the right software can help transportation businesses reduce fuel costs, maintenance costs, and accidents while improving productivity and efficiency. The most advanced systems offer AI technology to identify and flag performance trends that can help companies make the most of their fleet investment.