Managing a fleet of vehicles is a difficult and time-consuming undertaking. Whether you own a small or large business, keeping track of your vehicle’s location, performance, and maintenance requirements can be difficult. However, with the introduction of the fleet GPS tracking system , fleet management has become easier and more efficient.
By keeping a tight check on their critical things, GPS tracking allows businesses to remove the “where?” question from their everyday operations. It broadcasts and receives satellite signals that use geographic positioning to determine the location of these things.
GPS has come a long way since it just provided dots on a map. GPS has evolved into an essential business tool for keeping your staff and assets visible in real-time. It can provide you with crucial insights on methods to reduce expenses, increase productivity, and raise your bottom line.
Read on to learn more about GPS tracking for businesses and how they are helping businesses in 2023.
What Is GPS Tracking for Business and How Does It Work?
GPS tracking is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System and is the technique of tracking the location of a person or thing using a navigation device. It consists of a network of 24 satellites in orbit and ground-based equipment that can pinpoint the precise position of a person or anything on Earth. GPS tracking collects three types of data: location, navigation, and time. Businesses use it to keep track of valuable assets.
The GPS is a global navigation system that pinpoints particular locations. A GPS tracking system communicates with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to collect position and direction data.
GPS tracking devices function by broadcasting radio signals and connecting to satellites to detect a person’s or object’s location using geographic positioning. When a GPS tracking device is installed, it immediately retrieves that data and pings those satellites. Using latitude and longitude, the satellites determine the position of a certain place and its estimated distance.
What Are the Types of GPS Tracking Devices?
Companies employ three types of tracking devices. When tracking corporate cars, these real-time GPS trackers are typically employed in the fleet and transportation management processes. All three categories are useful and each has advantages and cons depending on the demands of the firm:
- Hardwired trackers
GPS trackers that are hardwired are directly plugged into the car. This automobile GPS tracker is ideal for organizations that may have employee vehicles that lack the required charging connector for plug-in trackers. They are quite simple to install, maybe disguised for further protection, and remain permanent tracking devices for the individual vehicle.
The biggest downside is that hardwired trackers are more difficult to remove for maintenance than other GPS trackers. The position data, like that of plug-in trackers, is only available while the car is turned on.
- Plug-in trackers
Plug-in GPS trackers are arguably the easiest trackers to install because they plug directly into a vehicle’s power outlet. They are typically modest and simple to maintain. This is the most popular tracker for users who want to use it for vehicle tracking as well because of its ease of installation.
The main disadvantage of plug-in car GPS trackers is that they go offline when the vehicle is switched off. As a result, the data is not always as simply accessible as it is with other trackers.
Ways GPS Companies Help You Run Business Better
- Helps in asset tracking
With GPS-driven telematic systems, you can follow your whole fleet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when the vehicles are not in motion and the engine is switched off. When you outfit important equipment with GPS trackers that provide a constant signal to your house, you won’t have to issue an SOS to locate it. You will avoid needing to rent equipment that you already own.
- Maximize the workday
With GPS tracking, you can deploy more efficiently, bringing your team to consumers faster. You can also use the internet portal to send and receive messages to your field staff. This will greatly simplify communication because your staff will not have to continuously pick up the phone as things change throughout the day.
Using notifications to tell you and your team of extended stops and late arrivals can help you remain on track throughout the day. Adding only one more work per day to each technician’s or driver’s schedule might result in an extra income per month.
- Extend equipment life
GPS devices do more than merely locate your trucks and equipment. They will notify you when your equipment requires scheduled maintenance. They can be incorporated with your fleet’s onboard monitoring to notify you when unplanned repairs are required. They can assist you in keeping employees from being stuck and in ensuring that you have all of the equipment you require where and when you require it.
- Better navigation with GPS
Employees can normally utilize Google Maps on their cell phones to navigate unfamiliar areas of town. It can assist them in avoiding accidents and road construction. However, Google Maps does not function when your operator’s phone is not in range of a mobile tower. GPS relies on satellites rather than cell towers and comes preloaded with map data. It is constantly accessible and can be used in any condition.
- Increases driver accountability
Driver responsibility does not entail naming drivers or following their every action. GPS fleet tracking should not just help the firm. It’s a tool for rewarding excellent driving behavior and increasing staff retention Using the geo-fence capability, vehicle and asset monitoring may also assist management in identifying illicit after-hours use.
This capability guarantees that workers do not utilize corporate cars and assets for personal reasons, side employment, or in other ways that might harm the organization’s reputation. Geo-fences are digital lines that may be drawn around locations of interest such as a yard, construction site, or your company’s headquarters. There are real-time alerts available to tell you when cars or assets depart certain zones. Using GPS tracking and real-time alerts that deliver warnings is another technique to stop bad driving behavior as soon as it happens.
- Accurate cost accounting
Many businesses include depreciation in their overhead. The mindset is, “We know we need this stuff, so we have to write it off somewhere.” With GPS tracking devices, you can get a far more precise picture of where your fleet and equipment are being used, when they are being used, and whether they are generating you money. You will be able to calculate the minimum capital investment required to grow your firm to take advantage of new prospects, as well as whether to rent or purchase.
- Fuel cost is reduced
Many GPS tracking gadgets pay for themselves just by saving money on gas. Not only can GPS tracking alert you when your fleet is operating inefficiently, but it can also help you prevent wasted trips and idle time.
- Customer satisfaction
Integrating GPS tracking devices with your other software platforms allows you to achieve deadlines. They aid in cost management. They can even assist you in coming in under budget and ahead of time. GPS tracking can assist you in keeping your consumers happy.
Conclusion
GPS tracking plays a very important role in the development of businesses. With the above-mentioned ways GPS companies can help businesses prosper in 2023.
FAQs
What are the GPS tracking challenges?
Although GPS tracking is incredibly beneficial in many ways, a business can face a few obstacles as it begins and continues its tracking operation. Some such obstacles include:
- The installation process can be tedious
- Implementing it can cost a lot
- Improper training can affect the success
- A poor signal can negatively affect the results
- Complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed
Can GPS tracking improve the estimated time of arrival?
GPS tracking software allows your firm to be proactive rather than reactive. When drivers are running late, your team will be notified and can contact the customer. When a driver or technician is within a mile of a customer’s location, an automatic text message or email can be sent to inform them that you are on your way. These all can help to improve the estimated time of arrival.