The general senses of opinion within the vehicle tracking industry is that the most effective method of tracking a stolen vehicle is via gps and gprs/gsm. Tracker of course, have strong opinions regarding this, as they are the only tracking company to employ the vhf technology as standard. With the gps/gprs/gsm technology, companies such as Smartrack – Cobra Trak and Trackstar have the ability to pinpoint the stolen vehicle, whether in the UK or indeed throughout Europe and even parts of Russia. Tracker tend to use an older system of vhf radio waves, these rely on a police vehicle being in the vicinity (with their tracker unit switched on) unfortunately not every police vehicle is equipped with a tracker unit! Of course, there are other benefits with the gps gprs/gsm systems, selected models such as the Smartrack Trident and Cobra TrakQ Attivo have the ability for you to monitor your vehicle at home or work on a computer complete with street level mapping.
The other great debate is, how customer friendly are the tracking companies? It just so happens that all Smartrack – Cobra Trak and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking systems, can be removed from the vehicle you are selling and re-installed into your new vehicle. All Tracker stolen vehicle systems have to remain with the vehicle they were originally installed in.
The trend at the moment seems to be with Trackers being fitted to the used vehicle market. Especially those having the budget Tracker Retrieve fitted instead of a car alarm, with the retrieve being the cost effective option. We have decided to offer only the best tracker models from the top manufacturers in the market place, Smartrack – Cobra Trak – Trafficmaster and Tracker. They each have available unique models in their portfolio’s. Smartrack have the most to offer with their Protector Plus – Trident – Alert 24 Keyguard – Fleet Assist and the Utrack. The offerings from Cobra Trak are the Cobra TrakQ & the Cobra TrakQ Attivo. With select models from Tracker being the Tracker Retrieve budget model and the Tracker Monitor. Trafficmaster have the Trackstar, with options such as Smartnav navigation.
Vehicle tracking systems have been available to fleet managers for some time and despite an initially slow uptake in the technology, they have now become very popular amongst those who run commercial fleets. Not only do they give fleet managers peace of mind knowing that they have the exact location of every vehicle in their fleet at any one time – they can also improve fleet efficiency too, an important factor during a time of economic hardship.
A GPS tracker works by using a triangulating algorithm to give the precise location of the vehicle it is fitted to. This information is fed through to a remote-operating centre, which can then chart the location of every vehicle in the fleet. Through this mapping system, fleet managers can prioritise routes or re-allocate a vehicle to a pick-up, minimising the time that the customer waits for their collection and maximising efficiency. The utility services and network companies running fleets of mobile engineers are also finding this system extremely useful, as it allows them to allocate call-outs to the nearest available vehicle. Courier and delivery services have been using vehicle tracking systems for several years and were the first organisations to really appreciate the benefits of such a system.
Vehicle tracking systems don’t just relay information on a vehicle’s location, though. Good quality systems can also provide fleet management professionals with additional information such as the speed of a vehicle. Speeding is an extremely inefficient operation as increased speed invariably means increased fuel consumption. Major fleets that have used these systems have been able to reduce their annual fuel bills by up to 40% just through the information provided by vehicle tracking systems.
By spending a little company capital at the outset, a GPS vehicle tracking system can help facilitate effective scheduling, which results in a reduction in the amount of time vehicles are standing idle or not being used at optimum efficiency. They can also reduce delivery time delays and improve supply chain management by enabling fleet managers to prioritise routes. This leads to better customer relations as fleet managers are able to give their customers more accurate estimated arrival times.
Another saving comes in a more unexpected area. Fleet insurance policies can be cripplingly expensive, particularly for small and medium sized companies. However, insurers now regard vehicle tracking devices as a major force in the fight against vehicle theft and offer substantial policy discounts for fleets with GPS trackers fitted. Faster recovery times of stolen vehicles, a reduction in the potential damage to stolen vans and cars by thieves and eliminating the need to hire replacement vehicles to cover the shortfall left as a result of a vehicle theft all add up to a considerable annual saving.
Vehicle tracking systems can also tell a fleet manager if vehicles are being used out of hours by drivers for their own, personal use. Technically, this could be regarded as misappropriation of a company vehicle and can cost firms a great deal of money over the course of a year. If a driver knows that their movements are being plotted by a remote GPS tracking device, then he or she will be less inclined to use a company vehicle inappropriately. Again, this all adds up to savings for the company.
In a time of recession, every business is looking for ways to improve productivity, efficiency and cut costs. Although it may seem strange to advocate spending money on a complex vehicle tracking system during these lean times, the long-term savings these systems represent are financially prudent and an essential part of effective fleet management.
Effective fleet management isn’t just about knowing where your vehicles are at any one time. Using vehicle tracking systems can increase productivity, cut down on fuel and insurance costs and streamline your organisation to maximise efficiency. Real time vehicle tracking enables you to do all of that without having to wait for someone to analyse the data days or even weeks later.
Real time tracking calculates the exact position of a vehicle at the current time and updates it constantly as time and the vehicle’s position changes. Information concerning the tracked vehicle is not delayed or recorded for post-analysis, but uses accurate GPS positioning and the mobile phone network for communication, updating in real time over the phone. GPS systems that utilise the satellite-based network rather than just relying on the mobile phone network have the advantage of extended coverage; helpful if your fleet operates in more remote locations.
Different technologies are used in real time vehicle tracking systems including vehicle tag-based AVI and video image processing. While these commercial image processing systems work well in free-flowing traffic, they tend to be less effective in congested situations or where built up areas cause shadows and lighting transitions to ‘mask’ the location of the vehicle.
Knowing exactly where your vehicles are in real time gives the fleet manager a huge advantage. It enables you to be far more streamlined in your operation, giving you the ability to make changes to planned routes in case of emergencies, breakdowns or other variables that may interfere with the usual routes taken by your vehicles. Something as simple as road works may mean that a planned collection from a customer is delayed. By utilising real time GPS tracking, a fleet manager can redirect the nearest vehicle to a destination, saving time, money and, most importantly, keeping the customer happy.
Real time tracking can also help fleet managers to ‘keep an eye in the cab’ of every vehicle on the road. The data sent back can immediately tell fleet managers of any deviation from set routes, whether drivers are using excessive speed or even help drivers out if they get lost. Real time tracking can also be used in emergency situations to notify Police or emergency services of the exact location of a vehicle if it is stolen or involved in an accident. This also gives a fleet manager the ability to re-route other vehicles to cover the deliveries or pick-ups effected by such a situation.
GPS tracking not only tells fleet managers about the vehicle, it can also be employed to keep track of the cargo as well. GPS trailer tracking are an excellent method of keeping track of the cargo being transported by the vehicle, particularly important if the goods are perishable or time-sensitive. The most up to date systems even employ 3D modelling, which involves recovering trajectories and models with high accuracy. These systems work well on small to medium sized fleets, but can become inherently complex on larger fleets. Region-based real time tracking uses a system of overlays identifying a connected region in the image associated with each vehicle and tracks it over time using a cross-correlation algorithm.
Modern real time vehicle tracking systems are becoming increasingly complex, but the information they provide is invaluable to effective fleet management. Although expensive to begin with, the long-term savings for any sized fleet can be considerable.
Vehicle Tracking Comes of AgeModern vehicle tracking systems are based on a combination of global positioning systems (GPS) and mobile phone technology using the internet and digital mapping to display the data in real time. Modern systems are surprisingly accurate, down to a matter of metres and available at a much lower cost than earlier technologies. Using vehicle tracking you can gather a wide variety of data to help improve your business by giving you the information you need to cut down on misuse, improve productivity, improve customer service levels and cut operating costs. So what are the steps you should follow in order to get the right system for your needs and to get the best out of your investment?
Do I need Vehicle Tracking?When looking for a GPS vehicle tracking system the first step is to ask do I need one? Generally any company with a mobile workforce can benefit from a vehicle tracking system. However, companies who install a system and then fail to take action on the information it provides are wasting their money. So before you start, ask yourself: am I prepared to discipline people who are not performing or who are misusing company resources? Also, am I prepared to use the information to make real business changes or am I just “ticking a box?”
Be SpecificNext ask yourself, what specific results you are looking for from the system. We can all list the many benefits of vehicle tracking when, in reality, only one or two may be critical and the rest are like the features on your mobile phone – nice to know they are there, but they are not the reason you bought it. The best reasons for implementing vehicle tracking are those that revolve around improving the performance of your business rather than just saving cash. Innovative transport related employers, for example, have introduced incentive schemes that pay more when the vehicle is moving and less when parked; the result is the staff work harder without realising it. Below are some of the more common reasons for an investment in vehicle tracking:
Utilisation and Productivity: Sometimes in business we forget to ask fundamental questions like does this person need a vehicle at all? If the tracking system shows that a van leaves the depot only to ferry the driver to work and back then the system could pay for itself quite quickly. More likely, the system allows you to improve productivity.
Employee productivity: If you have a mobile work force it is important that they understand the need to use their time productively. Vehicle tracking allows you to monitor time on the road, time with customers and breaks. It can even be incorporated into the remuneration system so that it is seen as a benefit to staff, rather than a threat.
Health and safety: The employers’ duty of care means that it is vital that staff don’t put themselves in danger by excessive speed or driving for too long without breaks. Vehicle tracking allows you to monitor these factors and take corrective action to allow you to carry out your duty of care.
Contractual reasons: A service contract will be that much more enforceable if you can provide accurate data on visits to site, time spent on site and who conducted the visit. As well as proving that the service contract was fulfilled it forms an excellent knowledge base for negotiating future contracts.
Can I Rely on the Data?If you are looking to base your remuneration system on the vehicle tracking reports then those reports must be accurate – even more so if you are looking to crack down on employee fraud. Imagine making an accusation of vehicle misuse or fuel theft only to find that the data was incorrect. That would be the last time you would be able to use the tracking system for this purpose, as it would have no credibility and neither would you as a manager. When you look at a vehicle tracking supplier ask some detailed questions about data reliability. For example, has data from their system ever been successfully presented as evidence in a civil or criminal court case?
Get a System that can be Tailored to your NeedsWith prices for vehicle tracking systems coming down all the time many suppliers will not be in a position to help you get the best out of the system by customising it to your specific needs. A good example of this is the van driver that is suspected of stealing equipment from his allocated vehicle. It is possible to put a sensor on the van doors linked to the tracking system. In one case our client was able to notice that the van door was being opened regularly in the middle of the night at the driver’s home address. He had no reason to use the tools when not at a customer site and so was proven to be at fault.
Get the Managers to ManageSo much of the benefit of a vehicle tracking system is wasted because companies fail to confront errant employees. Yet this is a short-term pain avoidance measure that guarantees long-term pain in the future. You would not let staff get away with stealing petty cash or claiming for days when they were not in work, yet so many firms turn a blind eye not only to vehicle abuse, but visible vehicle abuse backed by the evidence of the vehicle tracking system. The current drive to buy vehicle tracking solely on cost is misguided as it just underpins the “fit and forget” mentality. Professional managers will understand the need to take action and the need for a reliable, accurate vehicle tracking system to underpin that action.
GPS vehicle tracking systems are rapidly becoming a vital tool for many business owners. In fact, nearly all businesses who have a large vehicle fleet are considering tracking systems as a way to improve their efficiency and in effect, increase profitability.
Who uses these vehicle tracking systems though? What type of company can benefit from the implementation of this GPS technology? Companies that have large numbers of contractors out on the road, such as electrical and plumbing businesses are rapidly implementing tracking solutions. It is not just contractors however, limousine and taxi companies can use vehicle tracking software to increase their efficiency and haulers can use the technology to keep track of particularly valuable assets.
Normally a GPS vehicle tracking system will consist of a tracking device placed inside a vehicle along with a central server and software that lets the user track the fleet from headquarters. The information is relayed using geostationary positioning satellites that give any fleet vehicle’s speed, position and direction of travel. The device inside the vehicle transmits its position on regular intervals in order to remain up to date at all times. The interval is usually around every two to fifteen minutes depending upon the manufacturer’s and owner’s preferences.
But why go to the expense of implementing a vehicle tracking system? Here are ten of the most common reasons.
1. Vehicle tracking systems can help to reduce running costs by specifically targeting those who speed and waste fuel. By focussing upon these drivers it is possible to not only reduce fuel and maintenance bills, but to also reduce insurance premiums.
2. By using a system’s automatic mileage reminder it is possible to reduce time wasted through vehicle maintenance. In addition, by having a service that ensures your vehicles are regularly serviced means that resale values for the fleet will also be higher. It can also help to avoid penalties for issues such as bald tyres and tax as reminders are clear and precise.
3. Some insurance companies will offer around a thirty percent discount to companies who implement a GPS vehicle tracking system. This is not only because it encourages safer driving, but also helps recovery if thefts do occur.
4. Productivity of workers can be increased by being able to keep track of lunch hours, exposing unauthorised stops and breaks and by evaluating the overtime requests of workers. By having detailed information on the whereabouts of vehicles at all times, it is far easier to keep an eye on employee activities.
5. GPS devices help businesses to become more customer friendly. For instance, a cab company that is using a vehicle tracking system can tell a customer exactly where the nearest cab is and give a realistic estimate on how long it will be.
6. Business owners can find their most productive employees and use this information to implement further training or even a system of bonuses to enhance staff members’ work ethic.
7. Vehicle tracking systems will vastly reduce your phone bills as it is no longer a necessity to constantly call employees to find their location.
8. By having all the relevant information on one screen, those running the software have easy access to answer enquiries rapidly and accurately.
9. GPS systems reduce the amount of paperwork that drivers must fill out. By doing this you not only soften the blow of introducing such a system, but also increase the accuracy of your records.
10. By having detailed information on the whereabouts of all employees, business owners are far more in touch with their business operations. Meaning they have greater levels of control over their company.
These ten reasons are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits that vehicle tracking software can bring. If you run a fleet based business, it is about time to consider bringing your operations up to date, making use of advanced technology to not only improve your operations, but also efficiency and profitability.
Businesses with large fleets of cars or trucks need an efficient way to track where their fleets are at any given time. Not only are these fleets a large business investment but they may be transporting valuable cargo. Losing even one car or truck can mean thousands of dollars of lost revenue.
Rental cars, commercial delivery trucks, and even taxi cabs can all benefit from having vehicle tracking installed. Rental car agents can know instantly when a certain car will arrive back to their lot; taxi dispatchers will know which cabs are closest to a client’s neighborhood; and delivery managers can make their routes more efficient which will save gas and time. All this is possible by simply knowing where their fleet is at all times.
Vehicle tracking systems can also help monitor a driver’s behavior, prevent theft, and determine when drivers are taking breaks. These records can also corroborate the vehicle’s mileage and gas consumption which has an impact on company profits.
Real time tracking is important because if any members of the fleet encounter problems, sending immediate help will reduce any loss. Using vehicle tracking to manage a fleet can also improve customer service, especially when you can tell a customer exactly when they will be picked up or when their delivery will arrive.
Vehicle tracking devices can easily be installed on each individual car or truck and they use simple mobile (cellular) networks to send the vehicle’s location to the server. There are three basic components to vehicle tracking that are necessary to purchase:
1. Tracking Unit Hardware – The physical box which is installed on the vehicle itself, comprised of a small processor, GPS, and GSM communication abilities.
2. Tracking Unit Software – The software which operates the physical hardware on each vehicle. Without this software, the tracking boxes are useless (think PC without an operating system).
3. A Tracking Server – The computer (generally in a data center) which receives and stores all the tracking information in one central location. This tracking information can then be posted to a map for easy viewing and fleet management.
The server can be housed in the business office or can be shared in a remote location by a third party. Usually these third party servers are available only by subscription. The hardware units can be purchased in bulk from a supplier and a business owner can even save money by doing the installation in house. Generally the hardware comes with the software already installed, so the one price gets both components. However it is also possible to purchase the components separately in order to get a better deal on the hardware directly from the manufacturer (rather than through a reseller) and then install the software yourself.
Even though the initial investment cost might deter some business owners from taking this protective measure, adding vehicle tracking systems to a fleet is a smart investment in the business. Running a fleet more efficiently can only save money on gas costs and driver’s wages. Some insurance companies may even give a premium discount if each vehicle has a tracking device installed.
GPS tracking systems are designed for tracking both vehicles and people. Employed as part of a business’s fleet management strategy, they can improve efficiency and reduce costs. They also allow a business to monitor its fleet, wherever the vehicles may be.
The principle technology behind these systems has been adapted from full cellular (GSM CDMA) systems and location specific (GPS) systems. GPS tracking uses a triangulation algorithm between the source of the signal (the GPS vehicle tracking system installed into the fleet vehicles) and Low Earth orbit satellites to pinpoint a vehicle’s position to within 12 inches.
The benefits of using vehicle tracking as a fleet management technique are numerous. Vehicle thefts cost insurance companies and businesses millions of pounds every year. GPS tracking systems are specifically designed to detect the vehicle’s movement and so can lead to a quick response and speedy recovery of the vehicle, minimising financial costs and possibly reducing the vehicle insurance premiums paid by the business. Some vehicle insurance companies offer insurance discounts for vehicles fitted with GPS tracking systems, so the savings could amount to a considerable sum.
Fleet management is all about maximising efficiency, reducing costs and maintaining excellent customer relationships. It is also about your visible reputation out on the road, particularly if your vehicles carry your company’s insignia or display your company name. Vehicle tracking systems can help in all these areas by ensuring that your drivers are taking the most efficient routes, are not wasting fuel by speeding excessively and are not damaging your company’s reputation by driving in a manner that portrays your company in a bad light. There is also a strong safety element attached to GPS systems, particularly in remote or hazardous locations.
GPS tracking can instantly alert a business to any problems or emergency situations. If a vehicle is involved in a road traffic accident, some GPS systems will alert the control centre immediately, meaning that emergency services can be mobilised quickly, even to the most remote locations. They can also act as a beacon for search and rescue teams if the vehicle has left the road and is hidden from plain sight. This gives your drivers the assurance that their personal safety is being looked after by the company, building a greater level of trust between drivers and management. This is also more likely to promote a healthier attitude to on-road use and a more responsible approach to the job – not to mention contributing to your health and safety obligations.
Vehicle tracking systems are easy to install and cost effective, making them simple to include in an overall fleet management strategy. Because the technology is now commonplace, there are systems that are suitable for fleets of any size – from a small business running only a couple of vans to a large fleet with different types of vehicles.
Modern technology, including GPS tracking systems, have been designed to make driving more efficient and much safer. It is particularly relevant to fleet management and can help a company run its fleet far more efficiently than in previous years. From safety issues through to helping a new driver become familiar with the most efficient routes and vehicle security, GPS tracking should be considered to be an essential part of fleet management.
For fleet managers, the installation of a vehicle tracking system into their fleet can lead to substantial cost savings and a more efficient fleet. The initial investment of a high quality system may be expensive, but GPS tracking can soon show a return on your investment by reducing excess mileage, preventing out-of-hours use and even saving on insurance premiums.
Vehicle tracking systems are designed for tracking both vehicles and people. Although fleet managers may initially meet some resistance from fleet drivers concerning the introduction of a vehicle tracking system, if the advantages are explained carefully most fleet managers say that the installation of the system is then welcomed by hard working drivers. Those who are perhaps taking advantage of an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality will find that their actions are curbed, saving the company money as a result.
One of the main benefits of having a vehicle tracking system installed into a fleet is the reduction in insurance premiums that it may generate. Because GPS tracking means that the location of the vehicle is constantly monitored, stolen vehicles can be recovered quickly, minimising the risk of excessive damage. Vehicle theft costs insurance companies millions of pounds in claims every year, and the cost to the individual business (particularly small operations) can be far higher through the interruption of normal business, paying for replacement vehicles and loss of customer confidence through delays and items lost in transit. GPS tracking uses a triangulation algorithm to locate a vehicle quickly and good tracking systems can even issue a silent alert if a vehicle is moved when it should be stationary. This alert can be instantly relayed to the Police with a co-ordinate location, allowing them to recover the vehicle quickly.
Fleet management is not just ensuring that everyone is where they’re supposed to be and the vehicles are in good operational order. It’s also about maximising efficiency, reducing costs and maintaining good customer relationships. It’s also making sure that your public image on the road is a good one, particularly if your company vehicles carry recognisable company livery or are sign-written. Vehicle tracking systems can help to improve efficiency by ensuring that your drivers are using the most efficient routes and are not wasting fuel through excessive speeding (which can also damage your company’s reputation with ordinary members of the public). Using a comprehensive GPS tracking system, fleet managers can redirect the closest vehicle to a pick up, reducing waiting time for the customers and improving customer relations.
Vehicle tracking can also minimise the temptation for drivers to use their vehicles ‘out of hours’, thus increasing the cost to the fleet manager through excess wear and tear on the vehicles and increasing the potential for the vehicle to be damaged or stolen. If drivers know that the exact location of the vehicle is being monitored and that detailed information is being fed through to a central system as to the vehicle’s movements they will be less inclined to chance disciplinary action through inappropriate usage of company vehicles. All of this adds up financially, and by preventing these excesses through efficient fleet management and the incorporation of cutting edge GPS tracking systems, fleet managers can be responsible for saving the company a considerable amount of money.
Over 200,000 people suffer from vehicle theft in the UK every year. With car theft at such astronomical levels, anything that you can do to prevent your vehicle being stolen is going to be an advantage, saving you both time, money and keeping the cost of your insurance premiums down. Vehicle tracking systems and car tracker technology have become increasingly popular in the UK and can play a significant role in reducing car theft crime.
The advantage of vehicle tracking is that the movements of a car or van can be monitored in real-time, allowing the Police to respond to a stolen vehicle and reducing the recovery time significantly. This can mean a massive saving on expenses businesses face if their vehicles are taken, reducing the costs incurred by replacing stolen vehicles and minimising the potential for damage as the recovery time is so much quicker. GPS devices are small and easy to fit and is usually powered using its own, independent battery or by running from the vehicle’s battery. The system has other components such as Google maps or other location software, which is also installed into the owner’s phone or PC. This enables vehicle owners or those involved in fleet management to access real-time information on specific vehicles or even a group of vehicles.
Some vehicle tracking systems can also piggyback onto the vehicles immobilisation system, which can stop a car engine remotely if an alarm is triggered. Known as ‘Low-Jacking’, this system has proved to be popular in countries such as the US where vehicle theft is a major issue. Remote activation of the vehicle’s immobilisation unit combined with GPS tracking gives response units a specific target area to aim for to recover the vehicle.
The ability to track, locate and manage vehicles is critical to a company’s overall performance, particularly if that company relies on its fleet to carry out its daily business dealings. By using satellite GPS tracking, the location of any vehicle at any time can be monitored and out of hours activity can immediately send an alert to the central system. This could indicate improper use of a company vehicle by a driver or, more importantly, it could indicate that the vehicle is in the process of being stolen. A rapid response to this alarm can ensure that the vehicle is located and recovered quickly, minimising the impact to the business and reducing the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged vehicle. It can also have a significant impact on the company’s insurance policy as well, with many major insurers now actively promoting the inclusion of car tracking technology for commercial users and offering lower insurance premiums as an incentive to incorporate this technology into fleet management plans.
There are limitations to how accurate GPS devices can be. But in the UK, coverage is fairly comprehensive and the more satellites a GPS device can locate, the more accurate the information relayed back to the central system. Signal reception can be blocked by buildings, electronic interference, rough terrain and even dense foliage but continual research and development in vehicle tracking systems is eliminating these weak-spots in the system and giving vehicle owners comprehensive coverage across the UK. Installing vehicle tracking systems in the continuing war against car theft is having a major impact and is supported by the Police and government initiatives. Despite the initial outlay, the cost of installing a vehicle tracking system into a fleet of vehicles can, in the long term, prove to be financially beneficial and give fleet managers a more peaceful and worry-free night’s sleep!
Vehicle Tracking Systems used to be exclusive to larger companies who could afford them. Now, however, thanks to technological advances and the subsequent drop in prices, Vehicle Tracking is a facility that is open to companies of any size, who use fleets of cars, lorries and other vehicles. Yet, for many, the idea of fleet tracking is a new one and its unfamiliarity could mean that they are losing out on the many benefits it can provide.
Information is the key to running any successful fleet of vehicles, from taxis to couriers and delivery vehicles. At any given time, an operator should be able to say exactly where vehicles from the fleet are and this information can also be relayed onto clients. In addition, an operator should be able to verify a vehicle’s mileage against its fuel consumption and have an idea of when a driver is taking a break, ensuring that they are getting the required rest on long-haul journeys. This information is the foundation of good fleet management.
Using Vehicle Tracking Systems, it is possible to monitor these factors – and a few more besides. In today’s economic climate, a crucial part of fleet management is to ascertain whether fuel is being wasted or not. With the recent escalation of fuel-prices, every drop is important; misuse of fuel can put a small firm out of business. Vehicle Tracking also allows operators to know that a driver is where he says he is and even puts them in the position of being able to alert that driver to potential road problems or to simply find a more direct route. Economy of mileage also means economy of fuel and, as well as having obvious financial benefits, it can also be a step in the right direction to reducing a company’s carbon footprint.
Vehicle Tracking systems can also reduce the amount of ‘hanging around’ that many drivers have to do. In the event that a vehicle has made its destination ahead of schedule, the operator may be able to put that vehicle to good use in its current vicinity, rather than have it waiting for the next job. Using the system this way can not only increase a company’s efficiency, but also its productivity; efficiency can increase a client’s trust in a company and has the potential to lead to greater sales.
The vehicles themselves are major capital investment for the company and, despite insurance, the damage or theft of a vehicle can cause serious problems for the fleet who have to work to compensate for the absence of that car, lorry or bike. Vehicle Tracking not only makes it easier to recover stolen vehicles, it also makes it possible to reconstruct accidents more accurately. Faulty vehicles can be reached more quickly and those that run out of supplies or parts can be replenished with greater effectiveness.
While Vehicle Tracking Systems may not be initially popular with all those who have them installed, they can only benefit the company which, in turn, can only benefit its employees. The preconceptions of it being a tool with which to spy on people are being replaced by a more perceptive attitude that views Vehicle Tracking Systems as impartial collators of information that can be useful to both employers and employees alike.