Fleet tracking systems help you out by showing where your vehicles are in real time. This article gives you some things to think about when considering investing in one and some tips to help you buy the best one for you.
Fleet tracking systems help remove the biggest headache in the logistics business - wondering exactly where your trucks are right now! This has always been the biggest and most frustrating challenge in this business,
and now it's extremely easy. Let's look at how it works, and some things you should think about when considering investing in one.
How Does GPS Fleet Tracking Work?
Basically, each of your trucks or ships has a little "black box" located somewhere inside it. This box sends out a constant signal. The signal goes either up to the GPS satellites positioned in space, or goes to a terrestrial server. It bounces off the GPS system and then comes straight to your software application. It tells you the vehicle's location, direction and speed. And it does all of this instantaneously so that you can know where they are in real-time.
Things To Think About When Buying A Fleet Tracking System
Fleet tracking systems use sophisticated software that is linked to this system. First of all, if you're already using some type of GPS system to track vehicles, you can synchronize what you've already got to the software. Talk to the software company to see if their system is compatible with yours.
If you're buying something entirely new, you should consider the number of vehicles you need to track. If you have just a few, or if you have well over a hundred, this will make a huge difference. There are fleet tracking systems that are better designed for more or fewer vehicles.
Another thing to consider is distance. How far away are your trucks from where you're monitoring them? If your trucks are far away or driving in a remote location, you'll want to make sure that you use a satellite and not a terrestrial system. Satellites give you a more reliable reading, especially when you're far away from the vehicle.
Finally, consider the function. Why are you investing in the system? Is it to improve efficiency and performance, or primarily to deter theft? Are you investing in the system to improve customer service? All fleet tracking systems have different strengths and weaknesses, so figure out what you need the system for primarily and let this help to guide your decision.
Shopping Tips
Once you have a good idea of what you need, talk to the company about what types of fleet tracking systems they offer. It's important to know exactly what you want out of your system first; then, they'll be better able to find the right fit for you. If it's your first time getting one, it can seem a little bit daunting, so let their expertise help you out.
This is a major purchase and it will dramatically affect how you run your business, so choose wisely. Spend some time shopping around and comparing different ones. Also, make sure that it's something everybody can easily use. Some systems are complex and require knowledge of IT and computer technology. If you don't have a person like this on hand, get a system that's simple enough for anybody to use.
Fleet tracking systems greatly improve the efficiency of your logistics business. Investing in one will save you lots of money on your day to day operations.
