The cost of managing and operating a fleet of vehicles has dramatically increased over the past 5 years. Increased fuel, maintenance and insurance cost bear much of the blame. Probably the biggest variable in fleet management is the human element. Once the vehicle operator leaves the dock you have little control or feedback on their performance. Most of your people are probably good employees that perform reasonably well. However it only takes one or two poor performers to cut into your slim profit margin. New technology in the form of GPS auto or vehicle tracking has the ability to manage your vehicle fleet and save you money and time.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking systems that are used to monitor and mange vehicles. The passive system consists of a GPS receiver that is placed in a vehicle and at the end of a specified period of time is retrieved and downloaded into a computer data base. This system is great for gathering historical data on the vehicle to include speed, location, direction, time at rest, time at a specific location, travel route and customer service verification. Through the use of a fleet management software program you will be able to determine what management decisions are needed to make your fleet most efficient.
Active or real time GPS tracking systems are designed to work with cell phone technology so that a vehicles GPS data is reported in real time. Data is uploaded to your computer on a timed frequency. Most real time systems complete an upload every 2 to 5 minutes. Again just as with GPS tracking information is provided to you in order to make fleet management decisions. Real time tracking is best used for dispatching, customer care or when vehicles are located over a larger area. The system allows the dispatcher to observe where the vehicles are allowing them to be rerouted to new calls or pickups. All of which saves considerable money in terms of fuel, time and overtime costs.
GPS tracking system benefits include:
Start and stop time managementVehicle speed controlVerify work/wages paidLower Fuel CostLower Maintenance CostLower Insurance costsCorrect billing informationAccident reductionCustomer service verificationCustomer interface timingEfficient vehicle staging May allow employee to take vehicle to their residence.
The use of GPS tracking systems has become an absolute necessity for managing your fleet. Without it there is little chance you will be able to compete in the market place. It is estimated that it costs about $500.00 a day to put a box truck on the road. It is also estimated that you can maximize your fleet’s efficiency by using a $3.00 GPS tracking fleet management tool that will shortly more than pay for its self. The use of a fleet GPS tracking system may be the fast way to increase your bottom line.
By: Jim Kesel
Posts Tagged ‘Cell Phone Technology’
GPS Tracking For Fleet Management
December 10th, 2009GPS Individual Tracking, Keeping Track of Vulnerable Loved Ones
November 22nd, 2009
It seems that the world is becoming even more dangerous each day. The news reports bring tales of missing children, men, women and senior citizens. Many have medical conditions that require medicines every few hours. Others are victims of crime or accidents. Family and volunteers spend enormous amounts of energy and expense searching for these people. Sadly these incidents end in tragedy. The answer may lie in new technology in the form of GPS individual tracking devices. New GPS device technology has developed individual tracking devices to be made small enough to hang on a belt or around your neck like a pendant or on your wrist just as a watch would. These new non intrusive tracking devices use a combination of GPS and cell phone technology to report its location at timed intervals. Areas that have limited cell phone coverage generally do not offer individual tracking services. New battery technology allows these devices to continue to function for as long as 24 hours before needing to be recharged. Information that is uploaded through the cell phone system is sent to a data base maintained by a cell phone tracking provider where it can be downloaded to your computer, PDA or cell phone.
The system can be programmed to email you if your child or vulnerable individual has traveled out of bounds such as leaving a school, home or treatment facility. This is also handy for keeping track of your teens as well. However many teens feel that GPS individual tracking is an infringement on their personal freedoms. The information on the direction and speed of travel are readily available to allow you to intercept the individual are tracking. Think of the peace of mind that you will have knowing that you can log into your laptop and ascertain the location information of your loved ones day or night. Specialized units even have an alert feature that can be initiated to bring help or medical assistance. Your GPS tracking service provider will automatically notify authorities even if you are not available to respond in a timely manner. The individual that is being track is carrying a cell phone they can be called to ascertain the type of assistance needed. All of which will keep your loved ones safe and reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
The smaller GPS individual tracking devices are relatively expensive. The smaller the device is the higher the cost. In addition the smaller devices require more frequent battery charges to keep them working properly. The cost of tracking varies greatly depending on where you live and what services you require. However considering the value most of us place on our loved ones it may seem a bargain over time.
By: Jim Kesel
