GPS vehicle tracking has grown in popularity among fleet management companies. Firms can now track the whereabouts and actions of their cars thanks to technology, which gives them useful information about how their operations are performing.
Businesses can make decisions that will help them operate a more effective business by using GPS asset monitoring to gather insights into how their fleet is functioning. And that’s on top of having to locate automobiles when drivers disappear, get into accidents, or become the victim of theft or hijacking!
Let’s examine more closely why GPS vehicle monitoring is essential for fleet management using GPS Technology.
What Is The Function Of A Vehicle Tracking System?
Using a unified, user-friendly platform, tracking of vehicle systems enables fleet managers and company owners to track and analyze real-time data on the location, behavior, health, and security of their cars. Among other things, this data may be used to evaluate driver performance, enhance customer service, promote fleet safety, and more.
How Do Vehicle Tracking Systems Operate?
Vehicle tracking systems collect and communicate real-time data on fleet behavior and performance using a combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), cellular networks, and the Internet.
GPS technology delivers position data as well as other data such as date and time, vehicle diagnostics, and engine management remotely. A typical car tracking system consists of two primary components: the tracking device put in the vehicle and the user interface used to retrieve and examine all of the data.
Vehicle Tracking Device (Hardware)
Every vehicle in the fleet has to have a GPS tracking device fitted in order to allow tracking. Vehicle tracking systems come in several varieties, each with unique characteristics. The tracking device often collects vehicle data, including speed, DTC codes, and manufacturer recalls, in addition to real-time position data from the GPS tracking system.
All of this information is subsequently sent over cellular networks to a central server. Some car tracking systems transmit data to the server via satellite. However, cellular networks are the most common technique for small company fleets.
User Interfaces (Software)
Here is where the magic happens — it’s where company owners and fleet managers can see all of the data and insights available about their fleet cars in real-time. Moreover, you can configure geofences, export data for tax, accounting, or customer service applications, and set up location and vehicle health alerts in addition to monitoring fuel levels. With the best vehicle tracking systems, you can do all this on your PC, tablet, or smartphone.
Types of Vehicle Tracking Devices
Vehicle tracking devices for fleet management are classified into three types:
1. Plug-In GPS Tracking Devices
Plug-in tracking devices connect to the vehicle’s OBD-II port. This enables them to track GPS locations as well as vehicle data. They receive power directly from the vehicle rather than from an external source, making them very dependable and capable of detecting when a car is turned on or off.
2. Hardwired GPS Tracking Devices
Hardwired tracking devices are plugged directly into the car. While they are not as simple to install, they are often the only alternative (especially in older vehicles missing an OBD-II connection) and can still send the same data as plug-in devices.
Hardwired vehicle trackers can be installed below the dashboard, out of sight of the driver. This makes them impossible to tamper with. However, privacy regulations in your country may require you to notify drivers that you are using a car monitoring device.
3. Battery-Powered Tracking Devices
Battery-powered tracking systems operate independently of the vehicle. While they utilize powerful batteries with lengthy lifespans, they nonetheless seek to conserve power by delivering data less often than plug-in or hardwired devices.
One disadvantage of battery-powered gadgets is that they do not communicate data such as health warnings since they are not connected to the vehicle’s system. On the positive side, they could also be employed on other fleet assets like trucks and construction vehicles.
Mobile phones can also be used as car tracking devices. There are other car monitoring systems that employ phone-based tracking technologies. However, these aren’t as popular as the three mentioned above.
Benefits of a Vehicle Tracking System
A vehicle tracking system can offer plenty of advantages to businesses without requiring a large fleet to operate. Among the many benefits that companies can reap directly from such a system are:
- You can always know where your vehicles are, thanks to real-time tracking.
- Improved driver responsibility to avoid sideline activities, lengthy breaks, and so on.
- Follow driving patterns to spot areas for efficiency or safety enhancement
- Reduced fuel expenses by detecting and correcting inefficient driving behaviors
- Customers can easily receive information on driver status and ETA.
- Improved tracking of DTC codes and other vehicle health signals rather than depending on drivers to submit them
Bottom Line
Vehicle tracking using GPS is transforming fleet management operations for every company that has a fleet of road vehicles. GPS tracking allows users to obtain precise data, promote driving safety, and improve customer service. Dispatchers get real-time data by combining GPS tracking technology with their existing management and scheduling systems, allowing them to make educated decisions about how to effectively manage their fleets.
GPS monitoring technology has become an indispensable tool for any corporation with a fleet of road vehicles. Investing in a vehicle monitoring system, regardless of the size of your business, is an economical method for business owners and fleet managers to receive the information and insights they need to efficiently manage and expand their organization.
