Commercial GPS technology has been around for less than 50 years, yet it’s hard to imagine our lives without it. Nearly everyone has a built-in GPS on their cell phones or installed in their cars. But while GPS is commonplace when we’re running errands or going on a road trip, many commercial fleets are still integrating this technology into the workplace.
Utilizing GPS tracking with your fleet can come with countless benefits, and the transition isn’t complicated. Your systems can be set up quickly and start bringing results in a matter of weeks, not years. Here’s your guide to getting started with GPS fleet tracking.
How Does GPS Fleet Tracking Work?
Tracking your fleet with GPS is a simple way to keep your team on track and record data about your company’s day-to-day operations. Your fleet will need to use a combination of in-vehicle GPS systems, diagnostic and reporting tools to properly collect and analyze data.
A technician can install a GPS unit onto a vehicle’s engine in about 30 minutes, so you don’t have to spend a lot of downtime to implement your new technology. Once the unit is installed, it can keep track of the vehicle’s location, speed, and other performance metrics. You should also have access to engine diagnostics like emissions and fuel usage.
A GPS collects data from its vehicle and sends readings directly to your data center in real-time. GPS transmission is wireless, so a strong wireless network will bring the quickest results. You can then see your company’s data through your system provider’s website, letting you access your stats from anywhere.
When it’s time to generate reports, all your data is available in one convenient place. You can easily view data for a single vehicle or the entire fleet. See performance statistics over the last week, or check out the entire year’s data. A few clicks will instantly deliver the necessary information to analyze and improve your fleet’s performance.
Benefits of GPS Fleet Tracking
GPS has many more benefits than telling a driver which way to turn or how long it will take to reach a destination. Both you and your employees will find that GPS fleet tracking can improve efficiency and security.
One of the most significant advantages of GPS tracking for fleets is the ease of reporting. Instead of manually collecting and analyzing your vehicles’ performances, GPS units will automatically gather and deliver that information. Many systems also offer automatic reporting, making it easy to reflect on your company’s performance and relay important information to your employees or stakeholders.
But the benefits of GPS tracking aren’t only financial. You’ll also be able to make sure your drivers are safe on the road. GPS can monitor actions like hard breaking or speeding, so you can see when your employees are taking risks while driving. Then, you can proactively train your drivers on your policies and best practices behind the wheel.
Is your company actively working toward reducing its carbon footprint? GPS can help with that, too. Your reports can help point out vehicle idling and emissions data, giving you a clear place to begin when reducing your environmental impact. With your findings, you can encourage more eco-friendly driving practices from your drivers and keep an eye on your vehicles’ emissions.
GPS can also directly benefit your customers, even if they don’t realize it. Your GPS reports can help you identify and adjust potentially inefficient routes accordingly. With more efficient routes, your drivers can serve clients faster and spend less time on the road. You can save money on fuel and pass those savings on to your clients. When your customers experience improved delivery times and reduced prices, you’re virtually guaranteed to see a boost in client satisfaction.
Working with Guttman Energy
Having GPS tracking technology in your vehicles is one way to improve performance, reduce expenses, and move your business into the future. Guttman Energy provides a comprehensive fuel card program, inventory management solutions, renewable fuel offerings, and more. We’ve worked with countless clients in dozens of industries and are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of any fleet.
Contact the team at Guttman Energy today to learn more about the benefits of our fleet card services.
