Using GPS Tracking to Improve Fleet Management

Vehicle Tracking offers the facility for fleet owners to manage their vehicles and their companies with greater efficiency. The technology involved allows vehicles to be seen on a computer screen alongside pertinent information, such as their previous locations, when the vehicle was turned off or on and how fast they are travelling. Using this information, fleet owners can maximise their productivity and even cut back on costs, therefore saving money.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) part of the vehicle tracking system uses the mobile phone network, the internet, digital mapping and specialist tracking software to ascertain the position of a vehicle, as well as enabling the other features that a GPS Tracking System may have. The vehicle is installed with a GPS receiver that receives information from at least three satellites at any given time. Using the transmitted data, the position of the receiver can be calculated to within 5 feet of its location. Once the receiver has done this, it intermittently sends details of its location to a remote server, using the mobile phone network. This information can then be accessed by the client’s computers and it is relayed to a digital map on the computer monitor.

Vehicle Tracking offers the facility for fleet owners to manage their vehicles and their companies with greater efficiency. The technology involved allows vehicles to be seen on a computer screen alongside pertinent information, such as their previous locations, when the vehicle was turned off or on and how fast they are travelling. Using this information, fleet owners can maximise their productivity and even cut back on costs, therefore saving money.

The GPS Tracking System can also record data known as ‘event’ information, such as the vehicle’s speed and engine status. It is this information that can be invaluable to an owner trying to maximise fleet management. Using the GPS Tracking, he can ascertain such factors as whether vehicles are undertaking unnecessary mileage. In a time when fuel costs have reached unprecedented highs, ensuring that vehicles take the most direct routes to a location can save a company valuable time and money.

This information also allows a company to maximise on vehicle availability. In the event that a delivery or pick-up is unexpectedly required in a certain area, being able to find the nearest available vehicle quickly can sae fuel and time. Fleet management can also help to raise a company’s profile; the more dependable and on-the-ball a team of vehicles are, the more likely they are to gain repeat business and generate new customers through recommendation.

GPS Tracking can also improve a company’s Health and Safety. Many systems can now be fitted with panic buttons that are linked directly back to the company headquarters. In the event of an emergency, vehicles can be found quickly and accurately. This level of accuracy is especially useful in the event of theft or damage: stolen vehicles stand far more chance of recovery when carrying a GPS system and accidents can be carefully reconstructed through the data sent by the device.

The facility to track vehicle speed can also reduce company costs. Monitoring speed can encourage drivers to stay within the speed limit. Not only can this reduce fuel costs if the drivers operate within the vehicle’s optimum rates for fuel consumption, but there are likely to be less speeding tickets received by the company. This can reduce insurance premiums; an often costly part of fleet management.

There are many features available as part of GPS Tracking Systems in today’s market. Looking carefully at what is on offer and comparing those features with the requirements of your company can help implement efficient and cost-effective fleet management.