As businesses look for more effective ways to manage their fleet, many are turning to GPS tracking devices as a way to keep an eye on all their deliveries and to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently. With so many products now on the market, it is no longer just a question of: “Should I implement a GPS fleet system?”, but rather: “Which system should I choose?”
By way of explanation, GPS tracking uses a satellite linked device to update vehicle information at regular intervals (usually around 20 seconds). Information includes date, time, location (latitude and longitude) heading direction, altitude and travelling speed. This information is then delivered to the fleet manager, keeping managers updated on their fleet’s status 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere with an internet connection.
GPS software packages come equipped with a standard set of tools that inform fleet managers when a predefined parameter is broken or a particular event occurs. These monitoring tools include notifications of when a vehicle starts travelling, when a vehicle leaves a designated geographical location, when a vehicle operates outside predefined time frames, when a vehicle exceeds a certain speed, along with information about restricted geographical areas that vehicles are not allowed to enter.
Below are ten indisputable reasons why all SMEs should implement a GPS fleet tracking system and the benefits such a system can deliver:
1. Automates administration
- Schedules and verifies service intervals.
- Plans routes to take vehicles in for service (large vehicles/equipment).
- Records employee hours and kilometres travelled.
2. Quicker reaction time
- Allows for real time decision making on events.
- Provides real time accountability of drivers and assets.
3. Lower maintenance costs
- Reduces speeding, preventing excessive engine and tire wear.
- Allows for verification of service intervals to stop major costs before they occur.
- Reduces unauthorised out-of-hours usage, reducing kilometres travelled (saves on fuel and maintenance).
4. More control
- Stops unauthorised activities involving company resources e.g. using it for external business or personal usage of plant equipment
- Identifies such activities and stops it immediately.
- Reduces theft by tracking out-of-hours usage and movement outside of designated geographical regions. Increases likelihood of retrieving a stolen vehicle.
5. Efficient route planning
- Avoids heavy traffic areas.
- Monitors driver locations in real time for time sensitive dispatch and delivery.
- Plans best delivery routes into one sequential route instead of doubling back past locations.
6. Reduced insurance cost
- Verifies claims with vehicle time, speed and location data.
- Reduces dangerous driving behaviour and accidents.
- Some insurance companies now offer a discount for companies with GPS.
Visit the Fleetcare website for more information on GPS fleet tracking or call a Fleetcare Consultant on 1300 655 170.
See over page for more reasons why your fleet needs GPS tracking…
7. Safer drivers
- Notifies emergency services of exact location should an emergency occur.
- Accountability increases safe driving behaviour.
8. Improved customer interactions
- ETA becomes more accurate.
- Verifies service complaints.
- Quicker dispatch and delivery times.
9. Improved bottom line
- Lowers maintenance costs.
- Reduces driver overtime using route planning.
- Reduces vehicles being out of action or ‘downtime’.
10. Because it’s proven to work
- A fleet with a size of 10, travelling 30,000km each per year, would save approximately $6,750 AUD per annum. Considering the average price to set up GPS is $660 per annum, that’s a pretty good ROI.
- By monitoring usage of work vehicles outside work hours, a business can determine drivers who may be excessively running the vehicle for non-business purposes. By lowering movement of vehicles outside work hours, vehicle running costs can also be dramatically reduced.
- 95 percent of stolen vehicles are recovered within 24 hours of initial theft when fitted with GPS tracking, compared to 75 percent without tracking systems.
- Through active monitoring of vehicle travels and timesheets, the average fleet of trade vehicles can expect to save approximately 15 percent of inaccurately claimed overtime.
- By making the drivers more accountable for their actions, instances of speeding infringements can be reduced dramatically.
Visit the Fleetcare website for more information on GPS fleet tracking or call a Fleetcare Consultant on 1300 655 170.
– Nigel Malcolm is the managing director for Fleetcare (www.fleetcare.com.au)
