Why GPS Vehicle Tracking is Essential for Good Fleet Management
Fleet management isn’t simply a question of ensuring that drivers are given their destinations before leaving the depot. A fleet manager now holds many responsibilities, such as keeping a tally of the number of vehicles a company has, managing the drivers, keeping track of routine maintenance and routine diagnostics and keeping a record of the fuel consumption of individual vehicles, as well as the company as a whole. Driver safety is also a priority for the fleet manager and he will need to ensure that each driver takes the legally required breaks to keep them safe on the roads. Ultimately, the fleet manager is responsible for the efficiency, safety and productivity of a fleet of vehicles.
In the days before Vehicle Tracking Systems, fleet managers had to rely on a certain amount of trust; trusting that their drivers were where they were supposed to be at certain times. In addition, drivers had to trust that fleet managers had their best interests at heart; sending them to the right place at the right time and that any emergency calls would be answered as swiftly as possible. While trust is still an important part of any workforce, GPS Tracking removes the burden of proof from both parties; GPS devices are like carrying impartial observers who collate information for both the company and the driver.
For fleet managers, vehicle tracking devices allow them to know exactly where a vehicle is at any given time – with an accuracy of between 5 – 20 feet. GPS tracking can also show the speed and direction of a vehicle in ‘real time’. This is immediately useful in ensuring that a vehicle is on the right route to the right place and, if there are any potential road-problems on the route ahead, the fleet manager can redirect the driver, saving valuable time. In addition, the manager can ensure that drivers are driving at the optimum rate for the efficient use of fuel. With the whole fleet observing speed restrictions and covering more direct routes, vast fuel-savings can be made.
GPS tracking also allows the fleet manager to make use of vehicles that may have suddenly become available. In the event that a driver reaches a drop-off or pick-up ahead of schedule, the fleet manager can put the vehicle to good use within the locality, perhaps covering an unexpected or emergency job that has suddenly come up. Using GPS devices, there is little reason to have drivers waiting for the next job.
For drivers, vehicle tracking systems can be of great benefit in the event of disputes, such as an accident; the accuracy of GPS systems is such that the data they save can be used to reconstruct accidents, rather like the ‘Black Box’ on an aeroplane. Security also benefits from GPS devices; vehicles fitted with these units are far easier to recover than those without. In turn, this can benefit the fleet manager, as the added security of GPS can bring insurance premiums down; another great saving.
Ultimately, these devices can also increase a company’s profitability; if used to their full potential, GPS systems can help increase the efficiency of a fleet of vehicles. Increased efficiency often means repeat business and recommendations which, in turn, mean a growing client list.
It really couldn’t be simpler, call us today to understand how your business could start benefiting from our SureTrack GSM/GPS web based Fleet Management solutions.
Please contact a JabbaTalk advisor on 0844 880 4360 to discuss your options further.