Vehicle Tracking : A Buyers Guide
Here is an overview of how SupaTrak can help your business, and some of the regular questions we recieve from customers.
- Why invest in tracking?
- Choosing the right supplier
- Making the most of a vehicle tracking system
- System requirements and software needed
- Vehicle installation
- Payment options
- Informing employees and managing concerns
Why invest in tracking?
There are many reasons to consider investing in vehicle tracking, but our customers’ most frequently cited reasons include:
- Improve vehicle utilisation
- Improve workforce efficiency
- Improve mobile workforce safety and security
- Deliver an improved customer service
- Reduce unnecessary and unauthorised journeys
Choosing the right supplier
In recent years, there has been a major increase in the number of suppliers offering vehicle tracking solutions. On the surface, these providers may appear to offer similar services, but on closer inspection, there are almost always significant differences in terms of functionality and overall service provision. Experience in the industry counts for a lot and vehicle tracking suppliers without it may not fully understand your needs, now or in the future. It is a good idea to ask how long they have been supplying vehicle tracking, to whom and if possible, if they can provide you with customer references or contacts that you can speak to yourself. They should be happy to provide you with this information so that you can get a good understanding of the company and whether they are the right supplier for you.
Making the most of a vehicle tracking system
Every business that invests in vehicle tracking has its own set of requirements and objectives. Most vehicle tracking solutions can offer standard functionality including vehicle location and historical journey information, but is that all you need? The possibilities with vehicle tracking are virtually endless and innovative and forward thinking companies are often able to deliver a lot more. Powerful and automated fleet management data can be available at your fingertips, enabling you to improve your business’ operational efficiency, productivity of your fleet and drivers, whilst reducing the administrative burden on your business. A few features that are offered by some vehicle tracking suppliers that may be of particular interest and value include:
- Driver Behaviour Management – knowing not only where your vehicle are being driven, but how they are being driven can be the single most important factor in achieving lower fuel costs and reduced carbon emissions. Telematics solutions can provide driver performance information including key management parameters such as real time MPG, idling time, over revving and speeding. Without such a management system, it is impossible to measure fleet performance.
- Driver timesheet reporting – this can potentially reduce the time and work required by both the driver and by your business’ administration team to produce accurate time sheets information, by eliminating the need for manual time sheets.
- Driver compliance reporting – a way of easily identifying drivers who are not adhering to their expected driving styles and/or working practices. This may include late starts, early finished, out of hour’s usage and speeding.
- Real time alerts – be alerted to any instances of driver non compliance in real time.
System requirements and software needed
Some vehicle tracking systems require you to install software on your PC in order to run the technology, but others offer web based solutions, which can be accessed by any PC with an internet connection. The latter offers flexibility and convenience, with access to the system being granted from anywhere at any time.
Vehicle installation
Installation into the vehicle is a simple procedure, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Most vehicle tracking devices are mounted out of sight, inside the dash or in the foot-well of the vehicle, with all wiring hidden and no evidence of the installation. Some companies choose to have their vehicles fitted covertly which can be accommodated by some vehicle tracking suppliers. This may involve the engineer visiting the vehicle out of working hours, when employees are not present or taking the vehicle off site to another location.
Payment options
There are a number of payment options available when selecting a vehicle tracking solution. Most providers offer either outright purchase and lease/finance options, which tend to have 3 or 5 year terms, but some have now begun to offer more flexible options including Pay as You Go models. When selecting your method of payment, it is important to understand what the cost includes. Some providers offer an all inclusive price, which includes all hardware, installation and data costs, whilst others charge separately for each element. Beware of hidden costs!
Informing employees and managing concerns
Employee communication should be handled very carefully in order for all concerned to understand the nature of the technology and its benefits. Some employees may have an aversion to the idea of vehicles being tracked, but there is no need for this to be an issue if the employee does not have anything to hide. As long as you, as an employer, own the vehicles that are driven by your employees, you are within your rights to fit them with a tracking device, which above all, will help you to locate your valuable assets. It is important to communicate the benefits of the vehicle tracking system to the employees, which include reduced administration, improved safety and security and a method of dispute resolution.
