67% of fleet managers report that their investment in GPS technology quickly paid itself off financially. But the cost-savings of using GPS tracking is only one of many reasons this technology is a must for the modern fleet.
Let’s explore why!
1. Provide Real-Time Data to Customers
Technological advancements have conditioned the modern customer to expect real-time data. We may feel that this is a lofty expectation. But having access to this data is an important part of maintaining strong customer relationships.
With tracking systems, you can give customers access to data directly through an app or website. This shows them where their shipment is at any given time.
With this information, they can make better business decisions around estimated delivery time. And they see you as a responsible and informed fleet manager who has everything under control.
This can help cut those frantic customer care calls and streamline the overall customer experience. Customers have a choice. They can go with a company who can offer this level of customer care. Or they can go with those who don’t.
2. Instant Feedback in Transit
Does the shipment need to maintain a certain temperature in transit to comply with quality standards? Does something unexpected cause a delay? Is the truck experiencing maintenance issues?
GPS tracking can provide you with instant feedback related to not only the whereabouts but also the condition of the truck at any given time.
You can use this instant feedback to more effectively manage your fleet while remaining compliant.
3. Better Record-keeping
You know how important record-keeping is in fleet management. Relying on paper log books and drivers’ due-diligence can get the job done. But when you do you open yourself up to:
Human error
Forgetfulness
Mis-representations after the fact
GPS tracking eliminates all of this. It allows your drivers to focus on what they do best — getting shipments from here to there safely.
4. Improved Route-Planning & Execution
It’s long been on drivers and managers to try to figure out the most efficient routes. But the number of variables involved make it humanly impossible to choose the best route every time.
GPS tracking provides you with the data you need to optimize every route. It’s better for your drivers. It’s better for the customer. It’s better for everyone’s bottom line.
Additionally, it makes it easier to create dynamic routes. Communicate and collaborate more effectively with real-time data. Change routes as needed due to unexpected closures or weather concerns.
5. Ultimate Accountability
You trust your drivers.
If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have hired them. But sometimes human nature battles with even the most trustworthy person’s integrity when they think no one’s looking.
People get distracted without realizing it. They make risky decisions not considering how risky it truly is.
GPS tracking gives everyone in the fleet a better level of accountability. That’s accountability to customers, management and — most importantly — themselves.
6. Reduce Distracted Driving
Sudden braking, elevated speeds, swerving — these can all signal a distracted or fatigued driver. Whether they’re texting, trying to locate the nearest stop or falling asleep, it can get people hurt.
On top of that, it impacts your company image. People, as a whole, expect a lot from truck drivers. Drivers are responsible for maneuvering equipment that can weigh 20-30 times that of a car while, keeping those around them safe.
Distracted driving is a challenge across drivers of vehicles large and small. But studies have shown that professional drivers are 23X more likely to have a critical safety event while distracted.
These include things like:
Sudden swerving
Abrupt or unintended lane changes
Need for sudden stopping
Near crash
Truck-related fatalities have been on the rise since 2009. But they leveled off a little last year largely due to the increased implementation of tracking technologies.
With more vehicles on the road, there are more distractions than ever before. It’s important to have technologies in place that help identify these behaviors before an accident occurs.
7. Identify & Reward Safe Driving
As a fleet manager, you know how important it is to reward the right behaviors and discourage behavior that could put people at risk.
You need people to get the job done on schedule. But if they’re sacrificing sleep, doctoring log books or speeding to get across the country, you need to know.
With GPS tracking you have more solid data on which to reward the right behaviors like safe driving. On the flip side of it, you have the data to back you up if you suspect less desirable behavior.
GPS tracking gives a fleet manager the data they need to make the right decisions for their fleet.
8) Slash Fuel and Operating Costs
GPS tracking can monitor wasteful behaviors like excessive idling and speeding. It allows fleet managers to view these behaviors both in real time and as a report.
Managers find the reporting function of tracking particularly helpful. It gives them a bird’s eye view of behavior frequency versus feeling like a micro-manager watching their every move.
These savings are significant and measurable. A report provided by a 120 delivery fleet showed a fuel cost savings of $167,600/yr and another $127,400 saved through reduced driving time.
With our technology, companies have been able to reduce idle time by 24% and speeding by an impressive 32%. This adds up to tangible savings.
But there are more savings to be had that you may not have considered.
9) Cut Labor/Overhead Costs
Unpredictable delivery schedules can lead to unnecessary expenses like:
Excessive dock worker idle time
Need for additional management on site
Last minute shuffling and shifting of schedules
Over time
But when you know where your trucks are, you can better predict when they’ll arrive. You can accurately schedule, staff, and manage to optimize labor costs.
GPS Tracking: The Right Choice
When managing a fleet of trucks miles and minutes count. GPS technology can help you get the most out of those limited resources. You can streamline the customer experience. You can better identify risky behaviour. And you can cut costs across departments.
Find out how GFI Systems can help you optimize your fleet with tracking. Contact us today.
Have you had success from integrating GPS Tracking into your fleet management practices? Let us know in the comments.