Why GPS Tracking Is a Fleet Management Must-Have

If you’re looking for ways to improve your fleet, GPS tracking technology is a must-have. Your management skills play a major role in your fleet’s success, but part of being a great fleet manager is knowing what tools to use. Forward-thinking fleet managers understand that state-of-the-art fleet gps tracking technology is vital for providing the insight needed to make better business decisions.

The technology behind fleet management systems has grown up a lot in recent years, and it can do way more than simply track location. It’s time for your fleet to grow up too. To some fleet managers, the cost of implementing new technology seems like a burden.

That’s an understandable position for a business trying to save costs, but it’s misguided. The cost of not utilizing fleet tracking to monitor your vehicles and assets is much greater.

Here are some of the reasons GPS tracking can make a difference in your fleet and why the positives should outweigh any doubts you may have.

GPS Tracking For Fleet Management Provides a Significant Return on Your Investment

Spending money wisely is crucial, but there’s nothing wiser than investing in GPS tracking fleet management software for your business. Why, exactly? GPS tracking has a variety of features that can help you improve your bottom line. These include:

1. Efficient Routing

With location data, you can easily look at the routes your drivers have been taking and determine whether they are, in fact, the best routes. This is much easier and quicker than manually mapping out your drivers’ routes. You can also use GPS tracking to make sure drivers are actually following these more efficient paths.

2. Tracking Fuel-Wasting Behavior

Improved fleet management has a direct effect on the fuel costs that you save. The combination of GPS tracking with comprehensive fleet management software can provide you with a clear picture of how fuel is being used and when it’s being wasted. More efficient routing is just one way you can cut down on money spent on fuel. You can also look at driver behavior and determine whether drivers are engaging in fuel-wasting behaviors, such as:

• Excessive idling
• Speeding
• Harsh acceleration
• Aggressive driving

It’s easy to say “We need to reduce fuel consumption,” but fleet tracking software gives you the power to identify problems, start making changes, and track those changes.

3. Monitoring Unsafe Driving Behavior

Speeding, harsh acceleration, and aggressive driving don’t just waste fuel. They also compromise the safety of your drivers as well as others on the road. By monitoring drivers, you can be sure they’re on their best behavior. Behavior tracking keeps everyone safer and spares your business the cost of preventable accidents.

4. ELDs for FMCSA Compliance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a mandate in 2015 stating that fleets must adopt electronic logging devices (ELDs), and businesses have until December of 2017 to make the switch. Using paper logs to track your fleet’s activity and comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations won’t cut it once December rolls around.

Electronic logs are more accurate than paper logs, but if that’s not a convincing argument, consider the cost of a violation once the mandate becomes law.

Also Read: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Fleet Tracking Software

Not Sure How Your Drivers Will Feel About Being Tracked?

Despite the many benefits, you may still be hesitant about GPS fleet tracking because you feel that it will negatively impact the trust you’ve built with your drivers. Sure, your employees may be frustrated that they are being watched if they don’t understand why.

However, it’s important to understand that using GPS fleet tracking is not about micromanaging your drivers, and it does not mean that you don’t trust them.

Communicating with your drivers about what GPS fleet tracking can do for drivers and the company will help them to understand the reason tracking is necessary.

Let Drivers Know GPS Tracking is Good for Them Too

Vehicle data can be used to penalize negative behavior, but you also have the option to reward drivers for a job well done. By offering rewards to your drivers for fuel conservation, good driving habits, and timely arrivals, you can show your employees that the fleet management using GPS solution is positive and that their efforts are valued.

Also, drivers should understand that if you have data that gives you a better view of their itineraries, it will be easier to manage their workloads and ensure that none of them are overworked.

If drivers do not feel that they are strapped for time, they will be less stressed and have less of a reason to engage in bad driving habits while rushing to jobs.

Case Study: How GPS vehicle tracking has helped the city of Augusta save money and bolster safety

Fleet Management Systems to Make the Right Decision

GPS fleet tracking is a powerful tool that helps build upon your existing management procedures, and it will make your life and your drivers’ lives easier. That doesn’t mean you should jump into a system without fully understanding how the tracking will benefit your fleet, but with a little research, you can decide on the fleet management solution that is right for you.

As you can see, there are far more reasons why you should implement GPS tracking solutions than reasons that you shouldn’t.