You need great information to manage a vehicle fleet. The problem is that you can’t see what’s happening on the road when drivers make deliveries. If you want the information you need to make decisions, you need a product to tell you what happens on the road.
That’s where GPS and telematics technology help. GPS fleet tracking technology is on the rise, with 86% of companies now using some form of telematics to track information about their fleet.
Do you want to learn more about GPS fleet tracking and what it can offer your business? Read below to learn the pros and cons of GPS for fleet management.
Pros of GPS Tracking
GPS tracking can add a lot to your company’s expenses, so many fleet managers aren’t sure if it’s worth the money. Check out the benefits below to see why investing in GPS tracking solutions makes sense.
Run Better Routes
You can do a lot to plan routes without GPS tracking software. Mapping software can show you the optimal path to reach your target destination.
But those route predictions will only get you so far. You never know what hurdles you’ll face on the road that will cause a slowdown for your drivers.
You can use GPS tracking to help predict potential slowdowns and reroute drivers currently on the road. This means you can avoid the common problems that delay deliveries.
Better Trucker Management
One big problem fleet managers have is keeping truckers on task. You don’t know what they’re doing on the road. You may have a few drivers who waste time and slow down deliveries.
You won’t have this problem when you can see where people are on the road. Your GPS will show you which drivers are going off-course.
Once you know which drivers are causing problems, you can reach out to them to stop the bad behavior. If they don’t, you can hire more reliable drivers who are more productive.
Greater Customer Service
A question that many fleet managers get is about package locations. Customers won’t have all the information you have about your drivers’ locations.
You can use the location information offered by GPS trackers to give them this information. All a customer needs to do is ask where their package is, and you can give them the exact location.
This information will help customers stay informed about deliveries and have more trust in your business.
Software Integrations
One of the great things about GPS devices these days is the connectivity. They aren’t stand-alone devices that offer nothing more than a signal. They connect with other software to create a more streamlined experience.
You can use GPS tracking devices to connect with software like LoadPilot Freight Broker Software. This capability means you can get more insight into your overall business and correlate information between apps.
This will give you more flexibility when managing your drivers and help you become more effective.
Cons of GPS Tracking
Of course, GPS tracking doesn’t only have benefits. Keep reading below to learn a few things that may make it not worth using GPS hardware.
Costly Setup
You won’t get the benefits of GPS tracking for free. You have to pay for the GPS trackers, software, and installation. That can add up to a lot of money for trucking companies that don’t have much budget to spare.
Luckily, you’re starting to see more variation in pricing these days. Some companies now allow fleet managers to rent GPS tracking for a much cheaper cost.
However, you will have an ongoing expense instead of owning your GPS.
Potential Legal Issues
When you’re only talking about your fleet vehicles, there aren’t any legal issues when installing GPS trackers. However, things change when you start adding employees to the equation.
You’re also tracking your employee’s location when you use GPS tracking. Depending on your location, you may need to get a consent agreement before allowing them to drive.
Things get even more complicated when you use contracted truckers who own their own vehicles. You need to figure out if you can install tracking on those trucks and when you can legally use the tracking information.
Signal Issues
Fleet managers rely a lot on GPS trackers when they purchase them. It makes sense to do so when they help you optimize your fleet operations.
However, there is a reliability issue when your vehicles enter poor signal areas. In cases like this, it’s not easy to see where your vehicles are.
This is a problem if you don’t have systems built around not having a signal. You’ll need to create fallback methods for handling the times you have no or poor GPS signals.
Distracted Driving
Many modern GPS solutions don’t only offer information to fleet managers. You can also install screens in your vehicles that provide drivers with all the necessary information.
The issue comes when people pay attention to screens instead of the road. You end up with distracted drivers who are more prone to accidents.
This is where driver training helps. You’ll need to train your drivers on best practices when interacting with GPS systems.
Test a GPS Fleet Tracking Solution Today
Fleet managers have a lot to keep track of. You must keep your trucks loaded, on time, and out of accidents. Without the proper tools, getting all the information you need to manage an efficient fleet is hard.
That’s where GPS fleet tracking helps. Modern GPS software doesn’t only give you a way to track where your fleet is on the road. It also connects to all your other systems to give you a detailed overview of your trucking business.
Be sure to test out GPS tracking today to see the benefits for yourself.
Check out the blog for more helpful posts that will help you when managing a trucking business.
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