How GPS Tracking Protects Assets for Mobile Service Providers Rastrac Team | Apr 23, 2019 9:32:00 AM

Mobile service providers rely on multiple field assets to get their work completed — such as toolboxes, routers, TV boxes, and connection wires, to name a few. The best way businesses can deliver quality services while also managing the efficiency of their fleets is by implementing a GPS tracking solution into their operations. GPS asset tracking is an affordable way for fleet managers to oversee the productivity and performance of their field service workers and fleet vehicles, reduce overhead and ownership costs, and increase customer service.

Let’s take a look at some of the features mobile service providers can gain by integrating a GPS tracking solution into their fleet operations.

Track the Location of Field Assets

Mobile service providers travel around with toolboxes, routers, and other valuable field assets every day to perform their jobs. Depending on demand, a field service worker may travel to more than five houses a day to service their customers. Asset tracking helps ensure all these field assets are safe by making sure nothing goes missing or is stolen from their vans while on the job.

GPS tracking monitors the location of every tagged asset at all times. You can also use your fleet tracking software to set up custom alerts anytime an asset travels outside its designated area with the geofencing tool. Geofencing allows you to set up perimeters on virtual maps that correspond to real locations. You can even outline the designated routes you’d like your mobile service providers to travel along so they correspond with their work route for that day.

Manage and Monitor Driver Activity

Unless they are a driver for NASCAR, your employees should not be speeding down the road and rapidly swerving through traffic. Poor driving behaviors increase the chances of a worker getting into an accident, which is bad for your company in two ways. The first problem is the damage your fleet vehicle and field assets would sustain from the wreck — and the cost of repairs/replacements for those damaged items. Secondly, getting into an accident with a company vehicle puts a negative light on your business and leaves you open to paying expensive liability payments to the parties involved in the accident.

With GPS tracking, you can remotely monitor the driving activities of your field service workers using the GPS device, and track for factors such as:

• Harsh braking
• Rapid acceleration and deceleration
• Excessive engine idling
• Driving speeds
• Hard turning

These GPS tracking reports also allow you to set limits on an employee’s driving habits. For example, if you don’t want a driver traveling more than 5mph over the posted speed limit, you can set that parameter and be alerted via text or email anytime that limit is exceeded. From your fleet tracking software, you can continually track driver performance and grade them each week, thereby minimizing risky behavior, increasing protection for your fleet vehicles and field assets, and reducing excessive fuel usage.

Improved Maintenance Scheduling

Just like how we workout, eat healthy, and get a good night’s rest to keep ourselves going every day, vehicles need that same kind of care and attention for their mechanisms. Operating fleet vehicles that have faulty parts or require extensive maintenance servicing is dangerous. Additionally, it could end up costing you more in the long run for part replacements and repair services. Why would you want to pay for expensive repairs just because you waited too long to fix the issue?

For mobile service providers, their fleet vehicles are one of their greatest assets. If a field service worker has to install or repair internet services, phone lines, or cable connections to multiple households in a single day, a vehicle breakdown can severely hinder their workday and force them to stop operations to deal with the problem — not to mention the irritation this can cause customers.

GPS tracking helps manage a fleet vehicle’s maintenance scheduling and makes you aware of any operational issues the vehicle may be experiencing by connecting a GPS device to a vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system. Asset tracking provides you with automated reports on a fleet vehicle’s engine performance and can integrate with other software, so you can combine all reports regarding a vehicle’s maintenance history. You will also receive maintenance reminders for when a fleet vehicle needs:

• A brake inspection,
• The air vents and fuel injectors cleaned,
• A tire rotation, and
• All fluids and oil replaced.

Mobile service providers are an essential part of how we communicate on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to monitor the condition of their fleet vehicles and protect their field assets so they can perform their duties efficiently. GPS tracking improves transparency so fleet managers can better maintain their fleet’s operations through increased productivity, profitability, and better customer service.

If you’re interested in learning more about how asset tracking can improve your mobile service provider business, download our feature sheet or contact a Rastrac representative about creating a customized GPS tracking solution.