Vehicle Fleet Tracking

Vehicle Fleet tracking systems can offer many additional benefits over a standard tracking system. These systems are often aimed at larger fleets and include additional features that are targeted at specific vehicle uses and industry sectors.

Companies in the courier and haulage industry sectors for example, will quite often use a POD (Proof of Delivery) and/or a Job Dispatch System. Many vehicle fleet tracking solutions offer these systems integrated into one application as a way of monitoring the progress and performance of the vehicles whilst also providing a fleet management solution. Some tracking suppliers provide custom solutions that integrate into a companies existing POD or fleet dispatch system.

Driver behaviour and training systems can bring huge cost benefits to companies using vehicles that have high fuel and maintenance costs such as HGVs. These system work by linking into the vehicles Canbus which allows the tracking unit to feed back data such as engine revving, and miles per gallon. These systems are also able to report heavy braking, corning, acceleration and impacts from speed bumps and curbs etc. These systems allow companies to ensure that their vehicles are being driven responsibly and efficiently whilst keeping vehicle maintenance costs to a minimum.

Driver training systems access the same information as the behaviour systems but use the information to train and encourage the driver to improve their driving performance. These types of systems usually work on a ‘traffic light’ based system. Green, tells the driver they are driving efficiently and smoothly; Amber, means that the driver is losing efficiency and needs to improve; Red, means that the driver is driving with very little efficiency and if the driver does not improve within a set time period the fleet manager will be alerted. Again these systems can bring significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs whilst proactively training and encouraging the driver to drive with more efficiency and safety.

Vehicle fleet tracking solutions can also use temperature monitoring, panic buttons and driver id systems for further control and reporting. Driver id systems monitor and determine which drivers have access to the vehicle. The driver can either have an electronic key or a RF (Radio Frequency) tag that is used to start the vehicle and also record who is using the vehicle on tracking application. Panic buttons are used by the driver to immediately alert the office that they are in trouble; this could be a hijacking or an accident. Temperature sensors are normally used for to monitor refrigerated trailers. Should the temperature rise or fall below certain parameters the tracking system can alert the fleet manager via email, SMS (text message) or via the application itself.

Other solutions include sensors that are fitted to log when vehicle doors are opened and closed and PTO (Power Take Off) switches. PTO switches report when an ancillary device is used on the vehicle, for example, a crane, lift or cement mixer etc.

Whilst these solutions are available for all companies they have been designed to specifically bring improved management and cost saving benefits to fleets using certain types of vehicles.

Fleet Management

Fleet management encompasses vehicle tracking, but it is more than just tracking your fleet of vehicles. Fleet management covers a range of business activities including vehicle finance, the maintenance of your vehicles, fuel management, driver management, speed management, driving styles management, driver training and safety considerations.

It is important for businesses to with a fleet of vehicles to effectively manage their fleet. The effective management of you fleet will result in less problems, lower costs, increased productivity, increased safety and increased security of your vehicles and the employees who drive them.

Most companies deal with their fleet management themselves, but some larger businesses outsource this activity to a fleet management company which specialises in this area of expertise.

Vehicle Tracking
Vehicle Tracking Devices
Commercial Vehicle Tracking
Vehicle Fleet Tracking
Vehicle Tracking Software