SHOULD I INVEST IN GPS TRACKERS FOR MY FLEET?

GPS trackers could be a great addition to your fleet of cars. GPS trackers often have negative connotations; however, a tracking system can save your business time and money. Tracking systems can also benefit your employees, as long as you have an open conversation with them before installation. According to business security experts Online Spy Shop, who sell a range of GPS trackers for fleets, it’s illegal to track an employee in a vehicle without their consent. With employee consent, GPS trackers can be a great addition to your business, with studies showing that within just 11 months, 45% of businesses had a positive ROI.

GPS trackers not only benefit your business, but they can also work in favour of your employees. Commercial drivers often take more risks on the road and drive dangerously. A recent study found 9 % of commercial drivers were considered high risk on roads, with 68% ranked at medium risk. Vehicle tracking systems can positively impact road safety, improving driver awareness. GPS tracking also allows you to identify potential problems, like an active vehicle being stationary for a long time. More so, in the case of an accident or breakdown, GPS tracking allows assistance to be sent to the location. Route planning with GPS also can help your drivers avoid congestion, road diversions and accidents.

There are many benefits to installing GPS trackers in a fleet of cars. GPS tracking helps you monitor the location of your employees, the route they are driving, and the mileage they put into their work vehicle. This can help you plan costs and budget your drivers’ journeys. Installing GPS trackers does increase efficiency in your workforce and time management. If you are running a delivery company, you can provide live updates to your customer on the whereabouts of their driver and parcel.

Parcel tracking updates allow customers to plan to be in to collect a parcel, resulting in great customer service. The same logic could be applied to a fleet of taxis; GPS tracking allows customers to track their taxi journey to their location. Ultimately, having GPS trackers in your fleet gives you a competitive edge over other providers, as you can offer a real-time, tailored customer experience.

Several minor drawbacks to installing GPS tracking into your vehicle fleet. A GPS receiver often needs to be in a clear area to receive a signal, or else signal blockage may occur. If your drivers operate within mountainous areas, tunnels or forests, there could be a drop in signal. Luckily signal inconsistencies are only temporary glitches in the GPS service.

At first, your employees may be concerned about installing GPS trackers within their vehicles. It is very important that you receive support from your employees before installing trackers. Management should be open and transparent about data collection and how tracking benefits employees.