What Benefits Are Vehicle Tracking Systems?

Vehicle tracking systems are quickly becoming the norm in fleet management. With increased fuel costs, vehicle theft and reduced productivity, the need to track vehicle position and activity is of paramount importance. A vehicle tracking system integrates the use of GPS in the vehicle location, with smart software that gathers these valuable fleet data for a more complete view of vehicle movements. A GPS vehicle tracking system can provide fleet managers with essential information on vehicle speed, fuel consumption, route management and vehicle maintenance history.

Fleet customers rely on a number of key elements to determine the value of their fleet. The performance and condition of fleet vehicles plays a large part in this determination. However, fleet management professionals must also consider customer service, safety, security, cost efficiency, and the reliability of the fleet management company. Fleet monitoring services and vehicle tracking systems can greatly improve customer service and provide fleet managers with the information they need to support these key factors. Aids from vehicle tracking systems can also reduce the costs to the company through a reduction in fleet turnover and absenteeism, as well as improving customer service and loyalty.

Vehicle tracking systems can improve fleet efficiency by ensuring that vehicles are in optimal operating conditions and are not wasting fuel through excessive speeding (which reduces the company's operating cost). The information gathered by vehicle tracking systems can help fleet managers determine the most efficient routes and the optimal driving behavior of employees. Using real time GPS technology, drivers can be assigned jobs that maximize efficiency, and drivers can be monitored to ensure that they remain to be a reliable and productive asset to the company. By offering management and oversight of driver activities such as when to take breaks, when to increase speed and when to reduce speed, a vehicle tracking system can provide a sense of direction for both the driver and the company. This results in a greater level of company and employee satisfaction, and a more efficient and productive work environment.

Another way that vehicle tracking systems can be used to improve efficiency is through the implementation of active tracking. Active systems are already in place in some companies, and involve the installation of wireless microchip readers on the vehicles themselves. These readers are capable of retrieving data directly from the vehicle's computer system and transmitting this data to a central control station, which is typically accessed via an RFID reader. This remote access allows the central administrator to easily initiate actions that save the most fuel and provide the most accurate information. The central control station can determine the best route, the most efficient speed, and the best time to make a delivery, with minimal loss of productivity and revenue. Although active systems are expensive, they provide the most effective route planners, saving the company money in the long run.

Vehicle tracking systems can also be used to improve customer service. If vehicles are equipped with GPS technology, then any potential customers can locate them within seconds using a map, and can determine whether they are a good match for the company. This ensures that they receive the best customer service, with staff that are prepared to answer their questions and solve their problems as quickly as possible. In addition, efficient customer service helps to boost morale and overall performance at all times.

Vehicle tracking systems are also a great way to improve fleet efficiency. Many companies have moved away from the traditional paper method of maintaining fleet records, due to the high costs and delays that paper records can cause. However, satellite networks can greatly reduce the amount of time that vehicles spend idling at stations, and as a result, make the operation of the fleet much more streamlined and efficient.

Global positioning system satellites are one of the main components of vehicle tracking systems. A global positioning system, or GPS for short, is a constellation of satellites that orbit the Earth and provide accurate position information of any object in the vicinity. These satellites can detect movement and transmit location information to the computers on the receiving end. These satellites and tracking systems can provide precise location information and can greatly reduce the amount of time that vehicles spend idling in stationary mode.

The use of vehicle tracking systems can help reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. Because the location of the vehicles is constantly monitored, the drivers don't have to worry about being somewhere where they aren't suppose to be, wasting fuel and having their time wasted. This also prevents unscrupulous businesses from using vehicles for non business related purposes, such as drop offs for personal reasons. Additionally, real time updates can notify drivers of any other activity that may affect the vehicle's status. This could be anything from another vehicle entering the highway, to an oil leak which causes excessive corrosion.