Fleet tracking is used by businesses to keep track of cars, vans, and any other vehicles used for deliveries and collections. Most basic systems for fleet tracking, also known as telematics, can find the location of the vehicle, with more expensive packages offering add-ons such as tracking the distance travelled and how long the driver has been behind the wheel.
While small businesses may not want to part with more money on a fleet tracking system, the benefits offered can end up saving money in the long run.
What does fleet tracking measure?
Fleet tracking offers a small business the chance to see data that would otherwise be difficult to manually record. Most systems can track fuel consumption levels by recording idle times, breaking times, and checking whether the driver is in the wrong gear, which can all cause a vehicle to use more fuel than necessary. Knowing how to drive more economically can end up using less fuel, saving the business more money in the long run.
But modern telematics systems can keep an eye on the inside of a vehicle, and send reminders to the owner when important checks are due. They can also detect and flag up potential issues, like faulty batteries, before any major damage is done, saving you from more costly repairs..
Vehicle tracking data can be used to check on drivers, as well as vehicles
All commercial road vehicles must be fitted with a tachograph, which records information about driving time, speed, and distance, to make sure drivers and employers follow the rules on drivers’ hours, how long they can legally drive for, as well as how often breaks should be taken.
While a digital tachograph can track these things for you, a fleet tracking system can collate the data for a business, making it easier to present to business owners, or for managers to interpret. Most fleet tracking systems can track how long a car has been on the move, and send alerts to the driver when a break is required. Movolytics’ system for fleet tracking can also track a vehicle in real time, as well as offer a breakdown on how far each driver has travelled and their total working hours.
How is fleet tracking helpful to small businesses?
Ultimately, having a fleet tracking system can help save a small business money — after the initial cost. Identifying where drivers are driving inefficiently, and encouraging them to change their behaviour, can save up to 30 per cent on the total fuel spend. Systems that prompt users to perform maintenance checks can also wind up saving a business money, as any problems with the vehicle can be identified sooner rather than later.
A fleet tracking system can also improve customer service, which is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Knowing where vehicles are in real time offers the chance to accept any last minute jobs, if they’re close by to a driver already on the road. This can maximise the number of jobs a driver carries out, and increase exposure for a small business.
Small businesses can enjoy the benefits of a fleet tracking system, as it can be applied to as many or as little vehicles as required. However, businesses should be realistic about what they can afford to get from a system, before scaling up. Basic packages include tracking a vehicle in real time, however these can be tailor-made to suit a business and its budget.
