As a business owner with a fleet of vehicles, efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider. Running a fleet requires well-structured and efficient processes to keep operations seamless, which means that all tracking measures must be precise and provide real-time insights into fleet activity.
This is where GPS fleet tracking comes in, it is a system that uses satellite technology to monitor a business fleet's whereabouts. In some cases, it even comes with additional features and value-added services.
It has the power to transform a business and lead to higher profits. According to Market.us News, GPS tracking reduced accident-related costs by 11%, which is a significant gain for any business.
Let’s find out more about GPS fleet tracking and why Cartrack is the best provider for businesses seeking this service.
Many people may be unfamiliar with how GPS technology works and may not even know it stands for Global Positioning System. This technology uses global satellites to coordinate the locations and positions of objects by transmitting signals to GPS receivers, which then calculate their precise location using a process called triangulation.
In fleet management, GPS tracking is a comprehensive solution. Here is how each component works:
Vehicles fitted with a tracking device can be easily located using their real-time positioning. These devices use cellular networks, radio signals, or satellite communication to transmit data to a central management system.
The advantage that comes with hybrid devices is that one system acts as a backup in case the other fails. This is how Cartrack’s device works, it uses both networks and alternates to whichever is more accurate. This ensures that all business vehicles are accounted for, whether in transit or parked at the company’s premises.
Modern-day tracking goes beyond just location data, a business can now monitor other vital components. This is possible through the use of telematics, which measures vehicle diagnostics to get metrics on speed, fuel consumption, driver behaviour (such as harsh braking and rapid acceleration), maintenance requirements, and servicing. This information is then cross-referenced with the vehicle's internal behaviour to create reports showing an overview of the fleet’s performance.
Tracking systems can integrate with route optimisation software, payroll systems, and fuel management tools to streamline operations. A business can use these reports to inform future decisions as they will be able to spot trends and weak points. This ultimately helps optimise the fleet, reduce costs, improve safety, and enhance overall efficiency.
Choosing a system may seem like a simple decision, but there are many factors to consider. The average person likely believes that all they will need is a basic tracking system that gives them the GPS coordinates of their vehicles, but that could not be further from the truth.
Tracking system providers usually offer more than location tracking, many systems now come with advanced capabilities and integrations. Let us explore which features to look for.
Geofencing is a technology that allows the business owner or manager to set restricted zones for drivers. Managers can set predefined high-risk or restricted zones on the system’s map. If a company vehicle ever enters these areas, then an alert will be sent out.
This is done so the manager can get immediate notifications when a driver has reached a critical point in the delivery process or journey. These alerts can then serve as evidence using timestamps and location data.
Geofences can also be used around other areas of interest that a business may consider necessary. These could be refuelling stations, international borders, harbours and customer premises, to name a few.
A fleet that is always in operation will eventually incur wear and tear and in some cases, damage. This is why it is important to keep the vehicles serviced and in good condition, as these issues can pile up and lead to vehicles needing significant repairs and being pulled out of rotation.
With advanced tracking, maintenance schedules can be automated and recorded on the system. Alerts can be sent out whenever a vehicle is due for a service based on the vehicle's mileage and service history. This will make it easier to keep track of which vehicles are still in good condition.
Fuel consumption is a major concern for most business owners as it is often a cost that needs constant management. Fuel costs fluctuate regularly, making this expense tricky to plan ahead for with exact numbers. Monitoring the fuel consumption of business vehicles can prevent wastage and eliminate unnecessary fuel costs.
With fuel reports, a manager can have an overview of how much is used, where it is being wasted and what trends are recurring. This will inform them of what measures to implement to help address these issues.
In this day and age, most businesses use business software to manage their daily operations. These management programs can vary based on how technical the business needs them to be, but generally, they all function in similar ways.
The tracking system chosen must be able to integrate with these systems, allowing for seamless use between the two software programs. Information from one should easily be extractable from the other. This could be spreadsheets, images, payments and any other resources that are needed.
If your business is looking to improve efficiency and streamline processes, GPS tracking is a viable solution. Implementing this system can have benefits across the business, not just in the fleet, with cost reductions and driver safety as additional advantages. Some companies have observed a 15% reduction in accident rates and a 10% drop in insurance claims, proving how much of an impact the right system can have on a business.
Let's have a look at how your fleet and business can expect to benefit from a GPS tracking system.
With a tracking system, a business will improve route planning and optimise the entire process. This will remove any issues that usually arise from mapping out journeys manually or having drivers determine their own routes. Ultimately, a business can expect to reduce travel time and fuel costs in the long run.
Tracking stolen vehicles is much easier and faster when a tracking device is installed in a fleet. Recovering these vehicles becomes even likelier, especially if the provider has a team of recovery experts on the ground to assist law enforcement. This enhances all the internal security measures that have already been installed.
When a business is running smoothly, all inefficiencies are removed, leading to overall financial benefits for the business. This is because all the small savings and cost reductions add up over time and become a substantial amount. These funds can then be reinvested into the business and used in other areas.
Cartrack is an industry-leading vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions company. We offer comprehensive tracking and telematics products for a variety of industries and companies. We have worked with both small and large businesses across the globe, with a footprint of 24 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
Our offering is customisable to each business and can scale accordingly as the business grows. Here are some products and features that you will get when you take us on as a tracking solutions provider.
One of our top features is our real-time tracking solution, which uses GPS technology to track the movements of your vehicles. This feature shows you where your vehicles are going, where they stop and the speed at which they are travelling, giving you an overview of a vehicle's entire trip history.
This is essential for vehicles making long journeys or carrying high-value cargo, as their precise location is necessary in the case of an emergency. Having this overview of activity also gives peace of mind as a manager knows that this information is available at any time should they feel the need to have it.
This is augmented with the integration of telematics, providing a deeper and more detailed view of what the vehicle is doing. These telematics solutions share:
All these features make it easier to optimise the routes being travelled and keep the fleet performing efficiently.
With Cartrack, vehicle security is paramount. We are very invested in not just keeping track of your vehicles but also making sure that they are found, should they ever get stolen. Our security features include tamper alerts, geofences, a panic button for emergencies and AI-powered cameras.
Should any company vehicle get stolen, we have a skilled recovery team available for both air and ground services. They are experts in this field and will work to recover the vehicle as soon as possible. We take pride in this aspect of our business and confidently share that we have an estimated 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate.
Our solutions come with driver-monitoring software that gives insights into how they behave when on the road as well as how they operate the vehicles. This information can be seen in the fleet management system where the manager views and assigns drivers.
With our telematics solutions, we can track driver behaviour, such as:
Our AI-powered dashcams can also monitor driver behaviours as they record them on their trips. These cameras flag certain actions that are prohibited and report them back to the manager in real-time. These include:
We also offer driver ID tags, which manage vehicle access. These determine which driver can operate which vehicle and also place restrictions based on who the driver is and the licence they have.
The tracking solutions that we provide can be customised to the specific business, adjusting to the industry and its standards. We can work for a regular fleet of vehicles or a business with a mixed-fleet, and our product can integrate easily with all vehicle types.
We have a control room with 24/7 customer service. They are available for emergencies as well as general queries. They can assist you over the phone or via mail.
Additionally, we have a mobile app that can be used on your phone and a web interface for those using a PC. Both these options are user-friendly and easy to use.
As a business grows and scales upward, it needs to make the best decisions for its fleet. This is why GPS tracking is essential, as it will alleviate many problems and increase overall efficiency. Knowing which provider to consider and what features to look for is important as these will determine the quality your business will get.
If you are looking for a tracking system provider with a stellar reputation, quality products, stellar customer service and comprehensive solutions, then look no further than Cartrack.
Contact us today to hear more about our solutions.
What is the difference between GPS and GPS tracking?
Usually when people speak of a GPS, they refer to a navigation device that assists in giving directions from one location to another. GPS tracking, on the other hand, is the use of GPS technology to track and monitor vehicles.
How much does GPS tracking cost?
The cost of GPS tracking varies and can be dependent on a number of variables. If you would like to know more about the cost of tracking in Kenya, then read our blog on this topic: How Much Does Fleet Tracking Cost in Kenya.
Does a GPS tracker need internet access?
No, it does not. GPS tracking units use satellites to determine location and can function without any connectivity.
How long is a GPS tracking contract?
The contract period can vary based on the provider and their respective offering. At Cartrack, our contracts run for 12/24/36 month periods.
