WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM?

What Is Vehicle Tracking?

As obvious as its name is, vehicle tracking systems allow you to track vehicles in real-time as one of the most basic functions. Other functions include driver behaviour analysis, vehicle maintenance reminders and journey history, along with facilitating fuel management and dispatching. The system sends notifications and alerts to prevent theft and also provides reports with detailed analysis. Several other functions are also possible depending on the fleet management solution.

What Is The Difference Between Passive and Active Tracking?

Historically, vehicle tracking systems could be classified into two categories; namely, active and passive. Active systems will collect and send information in real-time whilst passive systems will collect and save all the data, which will be made available to retrieve later. Nevertheless, some tracking systems may have both active and passive tracking.

If you are looking for a professionally fitted car tracker, it will cost you approximately £189 and upwards to have the device supplied and fitted. Subscription costs start at around £65 per year and vary considerably.

When a mobile signal isn’t available, the information will be saved to the device and will be sent once it is possible to do so. Passive tracking systems are a less expensive option while being fully sufficient for some companies.

Fleet management is no child’s play. It is a task with huge responsibility far beyond keeping a watch over a fleet of cars or trucks. You must know the real-time location, the speed of the vehicle, when and where it stopped and for how long, and a lot more. Thanks to technological advances, vehicle tracking systems are able to assist in performing tasks assigned to fleet managers with ease.

Benefits of Using a Vehicle Tracking System 

Many people ask us how implementing a vehicle tracking system can benefit fleet management. Why should it be used and what are its advantages?

To answer that: there are many benefits! From cost savings and insurance discounts to improved employee and fleet safety and customer service, there are so many benefits that a vehicle tracking system brings.

Vehicle Maintenance:

Having a vehicle tracking system will alert you whenever the vehicle needs maintenance. This ensures that all vehicle servicing needs are up to date and minimises unforeseen costs and repairs.

Employee Tracking:

A vehicle tracking system monitors not just the vehicle but the driver as well. The system provides a live map which is updated almost instantly. With modern tracking software, you can also receive alerts for each time your employee or driver commits any non-compliant behaviour like sudden braking, speeding, swerving, etc. With such accurate data, you can easily keep a check on every driver and how strictly they are following the company procedures and road laws.

Reduced Downtime:

This system will help you find efficient routes, which will increase productivity by reducing downtime. With delivery companies, it helps to ensure that all deliveries are made on time while cutting down fuel costs. Hence, your reputation also improves along with overhead expenditure.

Improved Safety:

If you know your company vehicle’s real-time location, you can keep a check on whether it is in a safe spot or not. Some GPS tracking systems have an SOS button that can be pressed by the driver if they are stuck somewhere and need help. The button will send an alert to the fleet manager immediately who can then send assistance as soon as possible. If the manager knows the real-time location of the vehicle, they will also know which vehicle to send to the emergency.

Asset Tracking:

When you have access to each vehicle’s real-time location, you can easily track all your assets. If they get lost or stolen, they can be retrieved right away. Moreover, aspects like vehicle temperature, engine oil, fuel level and so on can also be monitored with some systems.

Instant Alerts:

Geofencing is a feature in vehicle tracking systems with which an area can be set up that you consider safe for the employees, or even set up as a business zone. You will get an alert the very instant your vehicle goes out of the pre-set area, preventing drivers from wandering off to non-work places or getting into unsafe zones. Similarly, with the aforementioned SOS button, you will receive immediate alerts in case of emergencies.

Reduces Time Spent on Road:

The tracking system also prevents unnecessary engine idling by employees thanks to the constant real-time monitoring. Along with that, the fleet manager can look for better routes in terms of less traffic or one with no delays due to roadworks or otherwise. This ensures less idle time on the road, increased number of trips a day and increased productivity with reduced fuel consumption.

Less Paperwork:

While everything goes digital, there is less paperwork for you to handle as you just need a single app for all your fleet-related data needs. The location can be checked easily from the app or website with no need for recording anything manually. This prevents errors that occur when things are done manually.

Improved Customer Satisfaction:

All the benefits mentioned above ultimately result in greater customer satisfaction. Increased productivity and efficient routes mean better service for delivery businesses.

Cost Saving:

With better fuel management, the elimination of drivers’ irresponsible behaviour and better time management, you ultimately decrease your fleet costs considerably.

Insurance Discounts:

Many insurance companies offer discounts for companies using vehicle tracking systems as part of their fleet management. Hence, these discounts mean even more cost savings.

Vehicle and Driver Safety:

Thanks to these tracking systems, road accidents can be prevented and problems on the road like roadworks, traffic jams, etc., can be reduced. Theft prevention is another benefit provided by the system.

Improved Administration:

Vehicle tracking systems facilitate administration. All of the time saved on admin can be used for other processes that need more attention and this can lead to greater efficiency in the business.

Improved Lifecycle Management:

Lifecycle management is a critical element for efficient fleet management. A vehicle tracking system provides information on both the vehicle and driver, improving efficient lifecycle management.

Vehicle Utilisation:

Now that you have a plethora of information from your vehicle tracking system, you will find yourself using vehicles more efficiently. From better fuel usage to more efficient routes, everything will be improved.

These are just a few benefits offered by a vehicle tracking system. There are many more advantages offered by the system proving that this is an investment which is both safe and profitable in the long run.

By David Clelland from infinititracking.co.uk