GPS tracking is such a wide-spread, everyday technology that we probably wouldn’t be able to envision our lives without it. Yet, our understanding of it remains surface-level.
Even more so, most don’t fully grasp the extent to which it can simplify their work, especially when it concerns fleet related activities.
Considering how the average lifespan of a company continues to drop (from 32 years in 1965 to 21 years in 2020), adapting to market demands and to the new wave of technology may be a do-or-die for most company owners.
For fleet managers, this may very well translate to adopting GPS-based technology and fleet management software, as it tackles two main challenges they face on a daily basis – high costs (especially due to fuel consumption) and time waste.
What is a GPS Tracking System and how does it work
An overview
- A GPS – Global Positioning System – is based around a network of satellites that orbit the Earth.
- The network, referred to as GNSS – Global Navigation Satellite System – communicates with GPS devices and sends them information such as location, speed, time or direction.
- GPS Tracking is done through a device installed on a vehicle, an object or on a person to determine their location and to monitor their movement.
How does a GPS Tracking device work?
- The GPS device set up on the vehicle sends out information such as location, time or speed to the main server.
- The Server then stocks and processes the information and makes it available on a user-friendly interface or platform.
- The fleet manager uses the platform to access and organize the information.
A GPS device is made out of:
- A GPS receptor for determining location;
- A GSM modem for sending out the information registered by the receptor to the software system;
- And optionally, a CAN BUS connector for checking the condition of the vehicle in real time (fuel level, engine speed, etc);
This is what a GPS device, also known as a Telematics device, usually looks like:
What is a GPS System used for?
- Military Purposes – originally, GPS Systems were developed by the military (to track troops, aircrafts and other types of vehicles) and were only released to the public in 1983.
- Missing Person cases – by using the signals sent by the personal phone’s incorporated GPS tracker or by monitoring the search party and keeping track of the areas already covered.
- Everyday Use – Google Maps, using the phone’s GPS feature for personalized shopping and many more.
- Vehicle tracking – when we think of GPS, one of the things we automatically think of is cars or vehicle related activities – as it is an area where its benefits can be explored fully. By implementing it in a fleet management system, coordinators can get real time information and react or plan accordingly.
Who can benefit from it?
First of all, any fleet coordinator would have a lot to gain from implementing a GPS based fleet management system. Regardless of size or purpose, it can adapt to different types of vehicles, from regular-sized to trucks or to assets and equipment in need of supervision. Moreover, it can be implemented in a wide range of industries and activities that require mobility.
Secondly, a GPS System can cover the needs of any fleet management related industry, such as:
- Distribution. In delivering merchandise, route optimization is essential. A GPS System gives you the option to set up routes based on package numbers and on other necessities.
- Transportation. Assigning vehicles and identifying drivers can be a real challenge when delivering or transporting passengers. Accompanied by proper software, a GPS System simplifies the process and helps you avoid mix-ups.
- Construction. Monitoring fuel consumption can save you a lot of money. And so can monitoring your assets, as valuable equipment is constantly exposed to a high risk of theft. By using a GPS System, you reduce the risk exponentially, as well as operational costs.
Is it legal?
Yes, as long as:
- You own the monitored vehicle or the asset;
- The employees know that you track the vehicle;
- The tracking occurs only within working hours and for business purposes.
The benefits of a GPS Tracking System
- Cutting down operating costs
Constant monitoring of field activity means ongoing communication and real-time coordination, which translates to flexibility in decision-making, in changin routes, in time management and in assigning tasks. This kind of flexibility can mean saving a lot of time and resources, as well as reducing financial investments.
- Cutting down on fuel consumption
Making decisions in real time will enable you to avoid unnecessary trips, unassigned tasks and a lot of other unpredictable situations that ultimately lead to wasted fuel or time. What is more, by monitoring your employees’ driving patterns – speed, braking tendencies, and other criteria – you will be able to optimize fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary costs.
- Saving time
The main reason for wasted time is inefficient communication. A tracking system helps you prevent inconvenient situations or solve them in due time. As such, activities that could have otherwise been postponed can now be immediately reassigned, saving not only time but the quality of your customer service as well. The automation of data processing also saves you a lot of time spent on documents and data collection and makes your work a lot easier.
- Reducing fraud risk
The well-being of your services and assets is just as important as the well-being of your employees. You can guarantee both with a GPS Tracking System by ensuring the fair-use of all company vehicles and by consequently preserving equality among colleagues. Using the vehicles for personal reasons – outside company regulations, unreported time off, and other fraudulent activities will not be possible with a tracking device in place.
- Preventing asset theft and misuse
You can use GPS Tracking System for vehicles, as well as for merchandise or company-owned equipment. On top of their real time location, you will also know how their status to prevent not only theft, but misuse as well. In the case of a project site, you can set up parameters surrounding it, to keep track of any equipment movements without permission of equipment.
- Improving traffic safety
By monitoring your driver’s behavior in front of the wheel and taking into account factors such as speed, acceleration or stationary time – you can then lay the groundwork for company driving policies that will help prevent accidents, reduce fuel consumption and improve brand image.
- Increasing customer satisfaction
Route optimization will lead, in time, to faster deliveries and transportation, as well as to overall increased efficiency in any customer related tasks. Customers will most likely appreciate your promptitude in delivering services and you will gain both trust and reputability.
Where do I find the most suitable GPS Tracking Solution for my business?
You need a system that can adapt to any kind of fleet, that has a wide radius and proven results. You can start exploring right now, with the highly adaptable, highly customizable Nexus GPS Tracking.
Over the span of more than 15 years, Nexus GPS Tracking has managed to provide fleet management solutions to and maintain a solid relationship with more than 2000 clients, such as Telekom, DB Schenker and Arabesque.
Why Nexus GPS Tracking?
Because it was designed to cover all basic fleet needs, through solutions such as:
- Real time map coordinates
The GPS devices send out information about the position and condition of the vehicle, available to fleet coordinators in their Nexus GPS Tracking account. The device will:
- Show you the location and identity of the vehicle and driver;
- Actualize routes;
- Maintain ideal communication, so that you:
Save time in planning and have flexibility in route and task management.
- Identifying route type and driver
With Nexus GPS Tracking, you also have the option to stay informed about the type of route the drivers make. Among other things, you will:
- Differentiate between personal time and business hours;
- Keep track of your drivers’ shifts;
- Reduce costs caused by fuel spent on personal matters.
In other words, you will reduce fuel and operating costs and you will improve supervision of field activity.
- Identifying vehicles
Through the vehicle or asset identification option, Nexus GPS Tracking prevents theft, the waste of resources, and unnecessary costs. By being able to immediately identify a vehicle when necessary, it also reduces the risk of fatal accidents and both human and material losses.
You will have the tools needed to be a responsible and reliable leader as well as to build a responsible and reliable team.
- Personalized alarms
You can further reduce costs with GPS Tracking, by using options such as configurable alarms, through which you:
- Never fail to make the required changes and updates to the fleet cars;
- Pay all taxes in time;
- Monitor your team’s driving style – using alarms for overspeeding or for other options.
In the end, you will reap the benefits of a continuous productivity growth; of not overspending by complying to deadlines or by preventing maintenance costs.
Aside from everything mentioned so far, Nexus GPS Tracking has a lot of other features that you can discover HERE.
Features such as:
- Setting up routes and personalized Hotspots;
- Configuring maps and groups of vehicles;
- Automated, complex and easy to use reports;
- Analyzing the condition of the engine or of the vehicle;
- And many more.
Before taking off
Here’s an overview of what you’ve just read:
- For a fleet centered business, implementing GPS based technology may be what you need to avoid bankruptcy or to soar above mediocrity.
- A GPS Tracking System is built around a network of satellites that communicate with GPS devices installed on vehicles – giving out data such as location, speed and so forth.
- The device set up on the vehicle sends out data to the main server which processes it and makes it available on an interface or platform.
- The GPS device is made out of a GPS receptor for determining location; a GPRS modem for sending out data to the server; a CAN BUS connector for assessing the condition of the vehicle, and a central unit for data collection and interpretation.
- Telematics devices facilitate the interpretation and communication of available data to the main server.
- A GPS System can be used for military purposes, for missing cases, for daily activities, and especially, in monitoring vehicles.
- A GPS System addresses all types of fleets, of vehicles, as well as different kinds of industries.
- As long as you own the vehicle, and you inform your employees about the fact that you are monitoring the vehicle and as long as you do it within working hours and for business purposes, you are using GPS Tracking in a perfectly legal way.
- A GPS Tracking System helps you cut down on operating costs and on fuel consumption; as well as save time, reduce fraud risk, prevent asset theft, improve traffic safety and increase customer satisfaction.
- Save time, reduce fleet costs and increase safety and productivity with a reliable Tracking Solution.
Explore Nexus GPS Tracking Here and see for yourself what you can achieve with a reliable management tool.
