If you own a business where you use a fleet of vehicles, using a management system to track your fleets, big or small, becomes imperative. GPS fleet tracking system is just like a virtual companion. It allows you to keep an eye on the vehicles from wherever you are.
Fleet tracking device ensures increased efficiency and safety and helps you stay compliant with state and federal regulations. One essential function of these services is to provide an updated Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) that helps fleet managers to pass DOT audits or road checks. There are other key metrics that fleet managers need to be careful of and these devices aid them in doing so.
Here we explain things to keep in mind before buying a fleet tracking device.
Things to consider while buying a fleet tracking device
This buying guide will help you know what to look for when buying a GPS fleet tracking device.
Elaborate features
The vehicle tracking device may offer different features. Some inexpensive devices will have fewer features, but those with a heavy price tag certainly provide many more features. You should learn all the device capabilities and features before you buy. It is vital to do this so that you do not have to face disappointment later when you realize that you have missed some crucial features in the device. Though initially, the cost may appear high, it may offer you improved efficiency.
The speed and frequency of reporting may play a role in the device cost. Having some additional features may also cost you extra. However, it is value for money. For example, one essential feature to find is the multiple communication options in the fleet vehicle tracking device. It allows the drivers to contact the other one in the case of distress. These features also enable the driver to call for help and send the precise location coordinates and alerts to the concerned person if the driver cannot call for help. This option keeps the drivers safe and helps the back-end team to arrange solutions faster.
Low-priced trackers may have weaker signal reception, low accuracy, unstable work, and may need frequent restart and reset. Hence, be watchful and think well before you take your call. To shop for a device that offers a warranty, you must go for a reputed and well-established GPS fleet tracking solutions.
Notification
You must make sure that the Fleet tracking device sends notifications via text and email in the case of an emergency or extraordinary situation. Notification is a significant feature to ensure the safety of the vehicles and drivers. Hence, you need to search well and ascertain that the service provider permits you to set alerts and alarms for certain occurrences like over speeding of the driver, a driver going to an unknown route, accident of the vehicle, route delay,
You can also set alerts to get a notification when your driver or customer enters a certain radius. Or set the alarm on the frequency after deciding how frequently you want the fleet tracking to report the car’s location. You can choose whether you like it every few hours or minutes or instant and real-time updates.
Mobile access
Well! Most fleet tracking applications allow mobile device usage. However, some may not. So, this is also one of the critical factors you need to make sure you have. Mobility is imperative as you may need access and status information about one or all of your vehicles anytime and anywhere. Free access to your software which is cloud-based on your mobile application, is crucial.
Some cloud-based GPS trackers also offer additional features like routing and navigation help. You can connect to the driver’s mobile phone and provide instructions using a web interface. You can connect with a fleet of drivers and alert them in the case of a schedule change and route change.
Customer support
Another significant consideration is customer service. When it comes to the safety and efficiency of the business, nothing can be compromised. In this business, we need immediate action and solutions. To ensure this, you must find what kind of customer support your service provider offers.
You should be able to speak to a customer care representative when you need help via phone or online chat. Also, the customer support team should be able to solve queries, issue help tickets, provide details on the email, create documentation, and send demo videos.
Convenient to use
An array of incredible gadgets and machines are available in this high-tech era. But the success of those gadgets and devices is measured based on the convenience it offers. Hence, one of the key considerations while looking for a Fleet tracking device is determining the ease of use.
There may be very complex software applications attached to some devices, while some offer simple and easy applications and features. Speak to your vendor and ask for a demo session to try yourself before purchasing.
Data storage
You must not undermine the significance of data storage in the fleet tracking device. It becomes indispensable to have sufficient data storage as sometimes the drivers travel through many unknown zones. Data storage helps you maintain efficiency when the satellite is not available.
Battery
Some GPS fleet devices are battery-powered, hardwired, or hybrid fleet trackers. They have their advantages. You will have to check which one suits your application. Hardwired tracking devices connect to your power system and don’t need batteries. Using these, you can track vehicles at all times.
The battery-powered tracking devices use batteries to get power. These are portable units that use lithium or rechargeable batteries. Some of these devices have adjustable settings, and the users can decide the frequency of the trackers to mention updates. If you need less frequent updates, you will have better battery life.
Hybrid fleet tracking devices come with both battery and hardwired capabilities in the case of hybrid fleet tracking devices. While some devices use the hardwired connection to get power, they also have a battery backup in case of extraordinary breakage and tampering. Backup batteries can prove to be an asset when it does not have a power system connection.
Also, know whether you require a Cell-Based or Satellite-Based Fleet tracker. Cell-based GPS fleet trackers get data from a vehicle and transmit the data to the cloud. Satellite-based trackers use a device to fetch vehicle information and send information via satellite networks.
Cell-based tracking devices are suitable for companies that have drivers on consistent routes. At the same time, satellite trackers are a better choice for your company if your drivers drive in remote locations where cellular towers are absent.
There are a million ways to cut your fleet costs. One of the many is getting a fleet tracking system that efficiently tracks your fleet and also isn’t too pricey for your budget. It will help you run your business effectively and efficiently.
