There are many myths and misconceptions about installing a GPS tracking fleet management solution. We’ve heard many throughout our over 20 years in business, so I thought I would share a few of the most common ones we’ve heard.
1. My employees will think I am spying on them.
2. I trust my employees, so why would I need to track them?
3. I can just use cell phones to track my fleet.
4. I won't be able to afford a GPS tracking system.
5. All providers of GPS tracking solutions are the same.
6. GPS tracking devices are not reliable.
7. A small business has no need for GPS tracking services.
8. A fleet management tracking program will be too confusing.
The installation of a fleet management software will actually eliminate a lot of extra work for your employees. Paperwork that usually takes a lot of time to be completed could actually be done by the tracking software itself. Not to mention that there is added security for the drivers and the cargo they are responsible for delivering. Actually, based on many studies, drivers viewed the tracking service as a benefit that would actually help them in the long run. The fact that they are now able to get better routing, assistance in case of a vehicle breakdown, and confirmation of their work completed makes them satisfied with the decision to install GPS tracking on their vehicles.
Monitoring your employees is something that occurs with a GPS fleet management system, but that is far from the main reason you should look into it. The system will also significantly lower your costs of operation, reduce your insurance rates, cut you costs in fuel, increase safe driving, and allow for more communication between the fleet managers and drivers.
Of course cell phones are extremely useful for communication. However, they do not provide all of the excellent information that is most beneficial to fleet managers. For example, engine status, real-time location, stop history, speeding habits, and mileage are not available with just the use of a cell phone. Not to mention, that a cell phone can simply be just turned off, forgotten, the battery can die, or they can be dropped and broken. Plus, you are going to be mostly tracking a person, and not the vehicle.
An investment into a tracking system will generally require an initial investment into the hardware for the vehicles and/or assets. Then, you will pay a monthly monitoring fee for the software; this fee can vary based on how often you want the device to send up update. But, you must take into mind that these systems are actually going to save you money. They will immediately give you intelligence into what is happening in the field that is already costing you excess funds. You will be able to lower or eliminate engine idle times, unauthorized trips, reckless driving, overtime, etc. Not to mention that you will also lower your insurance premiums. So, the system will eventually wind up paying for itself.
The answer is all in the data. Most people don’t even realize all of the information that is available to them after they install the devices. Make sure you don’t pick a provider that will just give you dots on a map. You need the reporting and data that will allow you to effectively use your new investment in the most practical way to make your fleet run more efficiently and wind up saving you money.
This is completely false. The technology behind GPS has been around for decades. In its use as a fleet management tool in decreasing operational costs and increasing efficiency, many studies have shown that it works very well.
It doesn’t matter the size of your fleet. Whether you have 2 vehicles or 2000, your business will benefit from having real live data on your drivers’ activity. If you use any vehicles to operate your business, you need to have that real-time information of where they are and where they have been. This will cause you to have greater business efficiency and allow you to get more jobs accomplished daily. Also, with the savings you will see from the use of the system, you will be able to grow and take your company to higher levels of success.
It may be overwhelming at first, but make sure that your GPS provider will help you learn how to install, use, and maintain your new investment. Ensure that you will receive all the training you need via phone, e-mail, webinar, or even in-person if needed.
Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming at times when you start looking into a GPS solution. If you ever have any questions about the various solutions and products we have to offer at RASTRAC, always feel free to contact us.