Following these steps to find the right GPS vehicle tracking system will facilitate a smooth integrationinto your business.
by Chris Brown
GPS vehicle tracking started as a simple-dots-on-a-map solution to providebasic vehicle location data — providing the answer to one question,“Where are my vehicles?” This technology grew to become much more.It now solves more complex business challenges like improving driverand public safety and inefficient workflows.
If you are looking at GPS vehicle tracking for the first time andunsure of where or how to start looking for the right solution,then you are in the right place.
Investigating these five factors with your fleetneeds in mind will help you make the rightchoices before you ultimately decide on thesystem that is right for your fleet.
There are five main factors to consider when youbegin looking for a GPS vehicle tracking solution:
Making an informed buying decision.
Introducing the technology
to employees.
Assigning a point person.
What impacts GPS vehicle
tracking pricing?
Understanding your businesschallenges and needs.
What Impacts GPS Vehicle Tracking Pricing?
A GPS vehicle tracking solution’s cost will vary based on the business challengesyou need to solve. This aspect mostly determines the types of features youwill require. Features to help you understand vehicle and driver behaviors willbe standard within a software package. However, additional features like driverID (knowing which driver is driving what vehicle and what time), sensor connectionslike doors and seatbelts, and connections to vehicle diagnostics willincrease cost. That is why it is important to fully understand if it is an immediatebusiness need that solves your challenges.
Additional costs will come with system upgrades. These may entail integrationswith other fleet and worker management platforms and video monitoring ofdrivers and the road.
A cost breakdown for a GPS vehicle tracking system could be divided intohardware installation, system support, and monthly fees per vehicle. These costswill vary based on the number of vehicles, length of the contract (which could reduce hardware and installation costs to zero), and type of install (plug-andplay,or more complicated hard-wiring), to name a few. Although costly, defaultto a professional installer, as a poor installation job could cause reporting issuesand other headaches.
It will also be important to consider your internal labor costs to monitor the systemand interpret the reports, which we’ll cover in detail in the next section.
There are many factors to consider, but in general, keep in mind your top needsand those that deliver the most return on investment (ROI).
INSIDER TIP: The adage “you get what you pay for” is extremely applicableto GPS vehicle tracking solutions. Avoid the seduction of alow price tag and invest in your company’s future by finding the rightsolution that can solve your challenges and grow your business.
One of the first things you will learn when researching potential providers is thatthere are many on the market today. The key is to find one that fits your needsand is particularly attentive to your business.
INSIDER TIP: It will be essential to know how you will measuresuccess with a GPS vehicle tracking system. Use metrics youpresently have at your disposal to determine your benchmarks.This could be data such as an estimate of vehicle MPG, collisionrates, or monthly fuel costs.
Understanding Your Business Challenges and Needs
It is best to begin by understanding what challenges or pain points you needto solve.
Are there safety concerns, such as collisions or speeding incidents? Are youlooking at high fuel bills every month? Knowing the challenges you face will letyou know if a potential provider has the functionality to help solve it. While mostsolutions will have similar basic functionality, there may be differences in howthey solve each issue.
Also, consider what is important to you in a business solution. Many businessesfail to consider certain aspects like customer care or support. Is it necessary tofind a provider with U.S.-based technical support? Do you receive a dedicatedaccount manager who is invested in your success with the system, or do youbecome a number?
