Fleet management refers to the process of managing organizational operations using GPS tracking to ensure fleet safety. To ensure the security of a company’s vehicles and assets, fleet managers use location tracking to collect fleet data and run it through powerful algorithms. Because there are so many moving parts and variables in mobile fleet management, a dependable GPS fleet tracking system is essential for efficient and effective operations.
Let’s take a closer look at what a fleet management solution is and how GPS fleet and Maintenance can help a company optimize vehicles, from real-time traffic data to being able to track your fleet’s every move!
What Exactly Is GPS Fleet Tracking?
Fleet GPS tracking is used by businesses as an onboard management system to monitor the behavior of their assets and personnel as they travel through the supply chain. GPS tracking devices provide fleet managers with near real-time visibility. As a result, a simple dashboard provides quick access to a variety of shipping data points. Initially, drivers communicated with their superiors and coworkers via radios and phones. However, cellphones and tablets are increasingly being used for the majority of communication these days.
For example, a driver may leave the loading dock early in the morning and communicate with shipping management throughout the day. GPS tracking allows managers to monitor progress. They may also provide you with advice and updates on how to make your delivery go more quickly and safely.
How Does GPS Fleet Tracking Work?
Using GPS tracking devices, fleet GPS systems acquire, store, and transfer data to cloud platforms. Fleet GPS systems, for example, can monitor vehicle speed and location. Some vehicles report advanced data such as idling time, fuel consumption, braking, and acceleration. The features and quality of services vary depending on the provider. Some vendors offer budget tracking solutions at a low cost. Others offer all-inclusive platforms with a wide range of capabilities.
The Advantages of GPS Fleet Tracking
A reliable fleet tracking solution provides numerous advantages to business owners. Now that you have a better understanding of what GPS tracking systems are, let’s look at some of the advantages that GPS technology provides.
1. Improvements in your customer service:
Improved customer service is one of the most significant benefits of fleet tracking systems.
Companies are figuring out how to use real-time fleet status to provide a five-star customer experience. For example, more accurate arrival estimates mean fewer calls from customers inquiring about the status of their deliveries. Status calls can also be answered more quickly without the need to contact the driver. Fleet managers and others can use fleet tracking to quickly identify the closest vehicle to a service destination, allowing them to respond to new or changing customer requests more quickly.
Other benefits of fleet management systems include vehicle information on virtually any device, including mobile platforms, allowing you to respond to your customers anywhere, at any time.
2. Cost savings:
Though equipping your fleet with GPS tracking systems is an expensive investment, GPS software can significantly reduce costs in other areas of the business.
- Fuel prices
Speeding has been shown to increase fuel consumption, and GPS tracking systems can alert fleet managers when drivers exceed the speed limit, reducing the possibility of speeding fines.
Idling is another common cause of high fuel consumption, wasting approximately 6 billion gallons of fuel per year – another costly action that GPS systems can alert fleet managers to so that preventative measures can be implemented. - GPS tracking devices can also be used to improve fleet route optimization. When dispatchers use GPS to locate drivers, they can send technicians who are closest to the location, saving fuel. To avoid tolls, the devices can also be programmed.
- Insurance premiums
GPS tracking systems can assist in lowering a driver’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score, which can lead to lower insurance premiums. Fleet managers can address the root cause of high insurance costs by monitoring driver behavior, such as reckless driving, speeding, or using a mobile phone through a GPS app. - Billing accuracy
GPS Insight, a fleet tracking app, uses ‘billing with landmarks’ at their customer sites, which means they track exactly when a vehicle arrives at and leaves a ‘landmark’ (these are reference points on a map, usually customer locations, the fleet yard, etc), which improves customer billing accuracy.
3. Optimize routing
Access to current and historical route data can help fleet managers manage driver time and trip more effectively. Fleet tracking systems that combine GPS data with real-time mapping data can provide real-time traffic, and road conditions, as well as current fleet locations. This allows dispatchers to reroute vehicles more quickly and adapt to changing conditions as they occur.
Another benefit of using a GPS vehicle tracking system is the data it can provide on trip history. Trip history data analysis can also reveal patterns and lead to performance improvements, such as avoiding a specific section of road at certain times of the day.
4. Vehicle Security
A good fleet tracking system offers numerous benefits to business owners. Now that you have a better understanding of what GPS tracking devices are, let’s look at some of the benefits they offer.
Using systems that track braking and acceleration metrics, managers can gain more insight into driver habits. Managers can use this data to better train their drivers and extend the life of their vehicles. In the long run, this can save a lot of money.
5. Reducing Waste
In some cases, a GPS tracker for cars can help you avoid traffic jams, reduce idle time, and reduce pollution. This also saves money because it reduces fuel waste. As a result, fleet GPS management is critical for companies that want to reduce emissions and improve their environmental efforts.
6. Prevent cargo theft
Companies lose $30 billion per year due to cargo and vehicle theft. Knowing where your equipment is at all times is essential for loss management. You can use leading fleet tracking systems to create custom geofences and receive alerts when vehicles leave their territories or operate outside of business hours. This helps to ensure that drivers stay on their routes safely.
Furthermore, route replay can assist managers in identifying patterns of long stops and unauthorized side trips. You can also set up fleet tracking systems to track trailers and assist in the real-time recovery of stolen cargo and equipment, reducing loss and damage.
Increase driver safety.
Most importantly, fleet tracking can assist businesses in protecting their most valuable asset—their drivers. Many GPS fleet tracking systems can replay individual routes, displaying an animated trail of where any drivers were speeding so you can coach drivers and improve their driving skills.
A company vehicle is an important brand asset, as many fleet owners have discovered. When your drivers drive safely and courteously, it makes a good impression on those who share the road with your vehicles. Fleet tracking services can be used to maintain and reinforce driver safety and coaching programs aimed at improving driver performance.
Real-time GPS tracking devices have evolved to meet a wide range of commercial and operational requirements. If you haven’t looked into fleet tracking options in a few years, or if you’re just getting started, consult our fleet tracking guide. What today’s systems are capable of may surprise you.
Contact jandl fleet maintenance to learn more about how a GPS fleet tracking system can help your fleet’s productivity.
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