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 ‘Time Gps’
GPS Tracking For Fleet Management
December 10th, 2009Using Vehicle Tracking GPS Technology
December 2nd, 2009
Managing your vehicle resources is a lot easier these days with vehicle tracking GPS technology. Whether you are a fleet manager who manages a hundred vehicles or an individual who has a nspecial car, GPS tracking technology will help you keep track of your vehicle assets.
Basically there are two types of GPS tracking technology used to track and manage vehicles. The cheapest and also the one that has been around for the longest period is called “GPS Logging”. GPS logging units are generally placed in a vehicle for a set amount of time and then are retrieved. The unit is normally attached to a computer where the logging software up loads the data into a data base. The information is displayed in map and table form for analysis and use. Logging GPS units are useful due to the fact that they are generally small and inexpensive. They also are very reliable. The major drawback to these vehicle tracking GPS units is that the information is old. Never the less you can make management decisions based on the information loggers provide.
The second and newest type of vehicle tracking GPS technology is called “Real Time” GPS tracking. Just as the name implies real time GPS tracking provides relatively current tracking information on each vehicle being tracked. These tracking units are generally larger and more costly than logger units. They are comprised of a GPS unit and a communication unit. In addition you will have to use a GPS tracking Service Company to access your tracking information. Tracking information is uploaded using standard cell phone or satellite phone technology to the tracking service company which in turn makes it available to its customers.
The service company normally charges a monthly fee for this service. Many service companies provide the tracking equipment and do the vehicle installations. However you can purchase the vehicle tracking GPS equipment and do the installation yourself. If you choose this route you will have to do maintenance and repair work yourself as well.
The real time tracking information is uploaded at different intervals specified by the customer depending on their need. Cross country trucking firms normally have tracking information uploaded every 30 minutes where as a delivery service may need uploads as frequently as every 5 minutes so as to respond to customer pickup orders. As a general rule the more often you require an upload the more the GPS tracking Service Company will charge.
The service company will provide a number of mapping and data base services to the customer including the standard mapping with speed, direction, time stopped and time en route. Advanced vehicle tracking GPS systems provide information on the fuel use, engine performance and fluid levels. Other services such as geo fencing which sends an alarm when a vehicle leaves its assigned area or is being used outside of normal working hours are also available.
Again whether you are a business with a large fleet of vehicles or private citizen, vehicle tracking GPS technology will help you keep track of and manage your vehicle resources.
By: Jim Kesel
Truck and Car GPS Tracking
November 15th, 2009
New miniature GPS technology has made GPS Tracking available to just about anyone. Many people are interested in vehicle or car GPS tracking. Fleet vehicle managers are saving there respective companies thousands of dollars each day with this new technology. In addition private citizens are also using the technology to keep track of there family members and their valuable assets. The cost of a GPS auto tracker has dropped over the last year. However the new smaller portable or personalized units are still relatively expensive.
There are two technologies to choose from when looking to purchase a GPS tracking device. The older logger unit is not only less expensive to purchase but it does not rely on an expensive subscription with a GPS tracking company. These devices are placed in the target vehicle during the period that you want to track then retrieved. The unit then is attached to a personal computer where the tracking information is downloaded into the logger’s software package for viewing. Logger GPS tracking devices have the ability to be very small and discreet. The major drawback of a using a logger is that all the information is relatively stale or historic in nature. Never the less they are very effective vehicle or car GPS tracking devices.
Real time GPS tracking devices just as their name implies provide tracking information that is relatively current in nature. These GPS tracking devices are larger than loggers due to the fact that they must have a transmitter to upload the tracking information to a GPS tracking service provider. The most common method of uploading the vehicle or car GPS tracking data is through existing cell phone technology. The service company will make a query of the GPS auto tracker on a predetermined time frequency and then display it on their website. These tracking service providers charge you a month fee for this service. The more frequently they download the GPS information to their website for your use the more expensive the service becomes. The current standard for tracking updates is about 5 minutes between tracking updates. In many cases you can save a lot of money by selecting longer periods between downloads.
Real time GPS devices are relatively more expensive when compared to loggers. The smallest portable units can cost as much as $1200.00 while standard vehicle or car tracking devices that are permanently installed can cost less than $300.00. It should be remembered that a quality unit is will be more expensive but it will also be more dependable over time. Delivery and fleet vehicles by their nature are not always easy on electronic systems. In other words when it comes to purchasing a GPS auto tracker cheaper is not always better.
By: Jim Kesel
