GPS Fleet Management systems are designed with one primary goal: to save businesses and managers time and money. There are many benefits to using a Fleet GPS management system.
Here is a list of the top 10 (plus a few more!) reasons:
1. Increase Profitability Through Better Performance
Better vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data helps a company manage the costs related to fleet operations. There will be a significant reduction in employee overtime costs and driver down-time; reduced maintenance costs directly affect the bottom line. Improved route efficiency and fleet metrics allow for expanding customer base. GPS truck tracking saves an average of $5,500 per employee annually!
2. Improve Your Fleet Operations
GPS tracking systems enable real-time decision making plus enhanced accountability of drivers and assets. Fleet managers will no longer have to rely on driver log sheets, service forms and truck maintenance records to keep track of fleet vehicle operations. Instant access to vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data can help a company better manage the costs related to fleet operations. GPS vehicle tracking allows companies to add more jobs to each work day. Companies typically see a 25% increase in work orders completed after implementing a GPS tracking device.
3. More Efficient Routing & Dispatching Support
Fleet Tracking technology enables dispatchers to use real-time driver locations for time-sensitive dispatching. Dispatchers can easily select and navigate the nearest vehicle to a specific location which will help to improve customer service as well. GPS technology can help dispatchers to identify service and delivery route overlaps, and to avoid difficult traffic areas that cause drivers to be delayed or get lost.
4. Reducing Your Fuel Costs - Becoming “Green”
Poor driving behavior such as speeding and unnecessary idling wastes fuel and can be identified with a GPS fleet tracking system. Fleet vehicles can use up to 800 gallons of fuel per year due to unnecessary idling alone, which costs approximately $2,400 per vehicle per year. Every unnecessary mile you eliminate will reduce your carbon footprint with better routing and by minimizing CO² emissions by minimizing idle times and make your entire fleet more productive and environmentally responsible. Using a fleet tracking solution could help your business put greener practices in place, helping your business win more bids from clients.
5. Reduced Maintenance Costs and Vehicle Wear & Tear
Without a fleet management system, vehicles are usually serviced at regular intervals, regardless of whether the vehicle is actually in need of maintenance. A fleet tracking system will monitor each vehicle and send alerts to notify you when a vehicle requires repairs or maintenance. This can help to reduce excessive tire and engine deterioration which will extend the life of your trucks and equipment.
6. Automation of Record Keeping & Reducing Paperwork
Fleet GPS management systems take record keeping to a whole new level. All data relative to the fleet operations is recorded and can be easily organized exactly the way you want it. Fleet managers can schedule and verify vehicle and equipment service intervals; track service locations, equipment drop-off locations and routes used; plus maintain electronic records of employee hours and vehicle mileage. This information is invaluable in annual planning and in case of an audit. Additionally, GPS systems will help your drivers, dispatchers and managers do away with all the paperwork as the system can automatically track and store the minute by minute details and present it in a user-friendly form when needed.
7. Reduced Insurance Costs & Liability
Most insurance companies offer a discount to businesses utilizing GPS tracking devices in their fleet vehicles. Verifiable vehicle data will help to protect your business against frivolous lawsuits. Fleet management systems can also reduce your liability from accident claims and worker’s compensation costs.
8. Prevent Unauthorized Vehicle Use
Unauthorized (a.k.a. side jobs) and after-hours use of company vehicles can be identified and controlled with real-time data gathered from a fleet management system. Many companies have stated that one of their biggest revenue losses comes from employees doing unauthorized work, also known as time theft, without the employer’s knowledge. Ending unauthorized vehicle use will also reduce unauthorized fuel consumption.
9. Increased Employee Safety & Improved Driving Habits
Automation of record keeping can help to improve driver safety and efficiency. Fleet managers can access important data about driver behavior such as speeding, hard braking and acceleration, unnecessary idling and the number of times the vehicle was put in reverse which can be dangerous. Fleet managers can reward their safest drivers and train their worst drivers to use better driving habits. In case of an accident, GPS location data can also be used to contact emergency assistance.
10. Better Customer Service
Real-time vehicle tracking data can be used to verify driver deliveries and the amount of time spent at each location. Dispatching will be able to re-route drivers at a moment’s notice which will allow you to respond faster to customer inquiries.
and here are the few more…
11. Become More Competitive
You can beat you competing by streamlining your transportation business with GPS fleet management systems. You will be able to reduce costs, provide first-class customer service and keep your employees happy as well.
12. Track a Stolen Vehicle
The average loss from theft of a company-owned vehicle in 2016 was $17,500. With GPS fleet management systems. a hidden GPS receiver can help you recover an asset and any onboard equipment or inventory quickly. Active GPS fleet tracking software communicates between the vehicle and the office in real-time and this is what enables law enforcement to close in on the equipment or cargo and sometimes the perpetrators, if they’re still in possession of it.
13. Electronic Logging Device Solution
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require interstate commercial truck and bus companies to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in their vehicles to improve compliance with the safety rules that govern the number of hours a driver can work by December, 2017. What historically has been done with paper and pen now requires all of the below information to be captured electronically, all related to TIME:
· On Duty: Not–Driving
· On Duty: Driving
· Sleeper Berth
· Off Duty
When the ELD system is tied into the GPS User Interface, it gives companies a complete picture of their drivers and fulfills all the requirements mentioned above.
14. Integration into ERP/CRM and Other In-House Systems
When looking for a GPS fleet tracking solution, it’s best to seek out a provider that has simple but powerful Application Programming Interface (API) capabilities - the ability to integrate third-party software applications. Data captured by GPS tracking systems can be integrated into back-office systems, or ERP systems, to improve workflows and operational analysis in departments outside fleet, including accounting, customer service, operations, and human resources.
15. Let Your Employees Know
Once you’ve decided to track your vehicles, it’s important to get your drivers and management on board. Fleet tracking is a way to reward hard work and eliminate bad habits that can lead to serious financial loss.
For your drivers: Let them know that vehicle tracking provides an important safety function for your business and the drivers as well. GPS allows you to keep up with proper maintenance, keeping vehicles safe on the road. Having a solution in place can also protect drivers against false complaints about overcharges and services not rendered.
Fleet tracking is an essential customer service tool that can lead to happier customers and additional business. Most importantly, tracking your vehicle provides numerous benefits that help increase revenue. Many businesses use the increased revenue to reward employees with bonuses. Rewards based on tangible vehicle tracking data can boost morale and help gain acceptance of the solution.
In Summary…
While fleet and asset tracking may be new to your business, GPS is a proven technology that is fast becoming the industry standard for businesses with fleets. By not tracking your most important assets, you could be putting your business and employees at risk. Additionally, both the cost savings and increase in revenue with all the varied areas stated above allows for a quick ROI on the fleet tracking investment in short order.
Rob Garry: For more than 30 years, Rob has been running his own businesses and working with and for the largest communications companies in the world, and is currently co-founder and CEO of SensLynx, an IoT solutions provider for Fleet Tracking, Wireless Internet backup, Out-of-Band Management, and other IoT-based applications.