| Vehicle tracking systems have been available to | | | | the amount of time vehicles are standing idle or |
| fleet managers for some time and despite an | | | | not being used at optimum efficiency. They can |
| initially slow uptake in the technology, they have | | | | also reduce delivery time delays and improve |
| now become very popular amongst those who | | | | supply chain management by enabling fleet |
| run commercial fleets. Not only do they give fleet | | | | managers to prioritise routes. This leads to better |
| managers peace of mind knowing that they have | | | | customer relations as fleet managers are able to |
| the exact location of every vehicle in their fleet at | | | | give their customers more accurate estimated |
| any one time - they can also improve fleet | | | | arrival times. |
| efficiency too, an important factor during a time | | | | Another saving comes in a more unexpected |
| of economic hardship. | | | | area. Fleet insurance policies can be cripplingly |
| A GPS tracker works by using a triangulating | | | | expensive, particularly for small and medium sized |
| algorithm to give the precise location of the | | | | companies. However, insurers now regard vehicle |
| vehicle it is fitted to. This information is fed | | | | tracking devices as a major force in the fight |
| through to a remote-operating centre, which can | | | | against vehicle theft and offer substantial policy |
| then chart the location of every vehicle in the | | | | discounts for fleets with GPS trackers fitted. |
| fleet. Through this mapping system, fleet | | | | Faster recovery times of stolen vehicles, a |
| managers can prioritise routes or re-allocate a | | | | reduction in the potential damage to stolen vans |
| vehicle to a pick-up, minimising the time that the | | | | and cars by thieves and eliminating the need to |
| customer waits for their collection and maximising | | | | hire replacement vehicles to cover the shortfall |
| efficiency. The utility services and network | | | | left as a result of a vehicle theft all add up to a |
| companies running fleets of mobile engineers are | | | | considerable annual saving. |
| also finding this system extremely useful, as it | | | | Vehicle tracking systems can also tell a fleet |
| allows them to allocate call-outs to the nearest | | | | manager if vehicles are being used out of hours |
| available vehicle. Courier and delivery services | | | | by drivers for their own, personal use. Technically, |
| have been using vehicle tracking systems for | | | | this could be regarded as misappropriation of a |
| several years and were the first organisations to | | | | company vehicle and can cost firms a great deal |
| really appreciate the benefits of such a system. | | | | of money over the course of a year. If a driver |
| Vehicle tracking systems don't just relay | | | | knows that their movements are being plotted by |
| information on a vehicle's location, though. Good | | | | a remote GPS tracking device, then he or she will |
| quality systems can also provide fleet | | | | be less inclined to use a company vehicle |
| management professionals with additional | | | | inappropriately. Again, this all adds up to savings |
| information such as the speed of a vehicle. | | | | for the company. |
| Speeding is an extremely inefficient operation as | | | | In a time of recession, every business is looking |
| increased speed invariably means increased fuel | | | | for ways to improve productivity, efficiency and |
| consumption. Major fleets that have used these | | | | cut costs. Although it may seem strange to |
| systems have been able to reduce their annual | | | | advocate spending money on a complex vehicle |
| fuel bills by up to 40% just through the | | | | tracking system during these lean times, the |
| information provided by vehicle tracking systems. | | | | long-term savings these systems represent are |
| By spending a little company capital at the outset, | | | | financially prudent and an essential part of |
| a GPS vehicle tracking system can help facilitate | | | | effective fleet management. |
| effective scheduling, which results in a reduction in | | | | |