Category: Vehicle Tracking

Reduce Fuel Spending, GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems Can Help

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

Simple Changes and a GPS Vehicle Tracking System Will Reduce Fuel Spending

There are several things that can be done to help save both fuel and money. From simply avoiding too many stops to building a whole new fuel-efficient model, it comes down to either improving the fuel economy of already existing vehicles or acquiring new more fuel efficient vehicles. Strategies for reducing fuel consumption can be broken down into the following six categories:

Matching the Right Vehicle to the Right Route
Choosing the right vehicle for the right task is very important. For example, you could assign lighter vehicles to longer routes and select alternative fuel vehicles for shorter routes.

Keep an Eye on Idling and Smarter Shifts When Changing Gears
The fewer times your engine starts, the less fuel you will consume. Changing gears sooner will also help lower your overall revolution per minute, resulting in less gas consumption. GPS vehicle tracking system technology allows in-vehicle ‘beeping’ functions which can alert drivers to turn off their engine when the vehicle has been put into “Park”.

Speed Restrictions
Restricting and reducing speed is another method for reducing wasted fuel. The implementation of speeding restrictions in fleet management is very helpful when it comes to saving fuel. This is because the slower the speed the less fuel required, ultimately resulting in lower fuel expenditure. GPS vehicle tracking system technology can also help drivers reduce fuel consumption by reminding them to slow down and stay within the posted speed limit.

Curb Idling and Aggressive Driving with a GPS Vehicle Tracking System
When it comes to idling, unnecessary consumption equals unnecessary costs, which is amplified further with the more vehicles a business operates. Reminding drivers to turn off their engine can have huge paybacks in both the short and long term. Aggressive driving also leads to greater fuel use. This includes things like speeding, harsh breaking, accelerating, and even sharp cornering. It is important to change driver habits to improve vehicle economy.

Switch To Alternative Fuels
Switching to alternative fuels can be very beneficial. It can help save on fuel expenses because alternative fuels are cheaper than regular oil. Not only is the fuel cheaper, but the maintenance fees are also lower.

Rely on the Right Sized Engines
Downsizing to vehicles with smaller engines can also help save significantly on fuel. FedEx purchased trucks with the right sized engines and are now 70-100% more fuel efficient than the previous trucks they were using. (According to Automotive Fleet)

Lighten the Load
Having a lighter vehicle load can help contribute to fuel savings. The lighter the vehicle, the more fuel efficient the vehicle will be. Car manufacturers have been able to significantly decrease the weight of many newer vehicles by building them with composite body parts.

Here at GoFleet, in partner with Geotab, we are committed to helping businesses realize a solid return on their GPS vehicle tracking system investment. Getting better MPG usages lies at the heart of what we do, as there are many contributing factors for reducing overall fuel expenditure. To learn more about how a GPS vehicle tracking system can help your business, contact GoFleet today.

GPS Fleet Tracking Often Gets a Bad Name of Being Big Brother

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

GPS Fleet Tracking NOT Big Brother

When people call us looking for a GPS fleet tracking solution, many fleet managers have the same concern and hesitation: “Will my employees feel like Big Brother is always watching them?” Working with our customers closely through the implementation process we have learned employee perceptions can greatly be influenced by how they are first introduced to the system internally. It is usually easier to overcome than many fleet managers often assume. Once the company and employee benefits have been explained, employees almost always come on board with the idea.

Here are just a few features installing a GPS fleet tracking system will provide your company and your employees, helping them better understand what the system is used for:

  • Significant ROI.

After installing a GPS tracking system the operating costs of your fleet will decrease resulting in more profitability which is something everyone can benefit from.

  • Nothing to Hide.

Employees with “nothing to hide” should not object to the idea of tracking the company vehicles they drive; for those employees who do have something to hide ask yourself, do you really want them driving your vehicles in the first place?

  • Staying Competitive.

Keeping up with your competition is key and many other companies within your industry are already using GPS tracking for better fleet management.

  • Improve Customer Service.

Determine the exact time an employee showed up to the job site and how long he/she was there; very useful for employees when it is a customers word against his/hers, you will know the truth.

  • Keep Driver’s Safe & Avoid Traffic Violations.

Some GPS tracking companies (like GoFleet) offer in cabin audible alerts to help employees reduce speeding & harsh cornering which could, in turn, help them avoid getting a ticket. In the event that an accident or a ticket does occur, GPS vehicle tracking may hold up in court as a reliable source of defense clearing the driver of any charges.

  • Route Optimization.

Eliminate guessing who is closest to a customer/pick-up/emergency call location and wasting time. Real time tracking will allow you to know exactly who is closest without having to distract your employees by calling them.

  • Engine Diagnostics/Vehicle Maintenance.

Breakdowns will be eliminated; the advanced software will alert you of any irregular engine data. Maintenance reminders can also be set up to ensure you will not miss any oil changes and other regularly scheduled maintenance.

To learn more about how to successfully introduce your employees to GPS fleet tracking download Presenting GPS Fleet Management To Your Team.

How Vehicle Tracking Software Helps With Reputation Management

Posted on | by Courtney redwell

Vehicle Tracking Software & Reputation Management

Effectively manage your company’s reputation with vehicle tracking software to stay on top of your competition.

We live in a reputation based economy. According to the Reputation Institute, who you are matters more than what you produce. In a reputation based society consumers are more likely to purchase a product or service from a company with a good reputation; ultimately making a decision based on their perception of a company instead of what the company provides.

For example, if you are interested in getting your driveway repaved, and a friend tells you about how disrespectful the company that did her driveway was, it is more than likely you will not hire that company. Even if they did an impeccable job at paving her driveway, you would not be inclined to hire a disrespectful company no matter how well they preformed their job.

This can also apply when it comes to driving habits. If your company vehicles are being operated by poor drivers who do not follow the rules of the road, this could seriously effect your company’s reputation. When you are driving down the highway and someone is swerving in and out of lanes, or speeding past other cars it is likely you’ll notice. Now picture that car with your company logo plastered on the side and what it could potentially be doing to your company’s reputation. Vehicle tracking software can help you ensure your employees actions while on the road have a positive impact on your company to either improve or keep a good reputation.

A company’s reputation is difficult for competitors to imitate. Also, it is an ongoing process. You need to uphold your good reputation by always paying attention to how it can further be improved to help you stay on top. Research has shown a strong relationship between a corporation’s perceived reputation and a customer’s purchase intent. If someone is on the fence about a purchase they will often consult people they know. Their family and friends can be the deciding factor and without a good business reputation an on the fence decision is often turned into no sale.

Vehicle tracking software can help improve and keep an excellent reputation on the road. Your reputation can either help drive your sales up or bring them down, it’s up to you. Contact GoFleet today to learn more about our vehicle tracking software and the many benefits it can bring to your business.

How Fleet GPS Vehicle Tracking Can Increase Savings

Posted on | by Victoria Gole | Leave a Comment on How Fleet GPS Vehicle Tracking Can Increase Savings

If you run a fleet business, it is in your best interest to do everything you can in order to maximize efficiency and optimize performance on all fronts. We provide a cutting-edge fleet GPS vehicle tracking technology that will help you accomplish this. GoFleet’s GPS vehicle tracking technology will help you keep track of all your vehicles at all times, empower you to monitor driving behaviors of your employees and ensure that risky behaviour that can jeopardize your company’s reputation is rectified.

How vehicle tracking can increase your savings

There are many different ways in which fleet GPS vehicle tracking can increase your savings and cut costs. One of these ways is by limiting insurance payouts. Obviously, all of your vehicles need to be insured and you will have to file claims from time to time. However, the premiums that you pay on a monthly basis can go down with the help of fleet GPS vehicle tracking. It has been shown over and over again that having such a system installed will increase the safety rating of your business. For starters, your drivers will drive more carefully now that they know that everything they do is monitored and uploaded to a database.

This alone is enough to decrease the number of accidents and traffic violations that you end up paying for. In time, having a better safety record will result in lower premiums on your insurance policies. However, just the addition of the fleet GPS Vehicle Tracking System is enough to decrease the costs on insurance since it can be considered to be a safety feature. If you let your insurer know that you installed such a system, you might be able to negotiate a better rate for you right there on the spot.

Another major boost for savings obtained from fleet GPS vehicle tracking comes in the form of fuel efficiency. Each minute your employees are driving around needlessly, they are wasting fuel and, therefore, costing you money. Again, the simple fact that they know that their routes are being monitored will prevent them from taking that little detour to take care of non-business matters on the company’s watch. GoFleet GPS vehicle tracking will give you the confidence that you will need as a decision maker in your organization. You will see both short-term and long-term benefits when you integrate us into your platform.

Then there are also instances where drivers are being inefficient through no fault of their own. Let’s say that a job gets cancelled while a truck is already on its way or maybe a storm hits and a tree blocks access to a road. With the help of fleet GPS vehicle tracking, you will be able to monitor the situation closely and make adjustments accordingly. The GPS vehicle tracking system will find the best alternative route for the vehicles so that they reach their new destinations as quickly as possible.

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Relationship Between Fleet GPS Vehicle Tracking and Drivers

Posted on | by Victoria Gole | Leave a Comment on Relationship Between Fleet GPS Vehicle Tracking and Drivers

Fleet GPS vehicle tracking devices have already carved their reputation as an indispensable and necessary tool in improving your business performance in all areas of fleet management. Our solutions hold your drivers accountable and ensure that they are performing in a safe and acceptable manner when they are on-field and your business will see immediate returns because you will maximize fuel efficiency, utilize route optimization and lower insurance premiums.

That is all great news for the fleet managers, but fleet GPS tracking devices have not endeared themselves to many drivers. They will often not feel comfortable being constantly monitored and some owners might even be reticent to install fleet tracking because it would be bad for morale. They do not want to look like they are intrusive or untrusting but the truth is that fleet GPS vehicle tracking devices can also be beneficial to drivers.

The only ones who truly have a reason not to be happy with fleet management/GPS tracking devices are the drivers who are not performing at peak levels and are hurting the company’s prospects at work. In our studies, some of the most common shortcuts that undermine a company’s prospects are:

(1) taking the long way home in order to get paid overtime
(2) engage in risky behaviour on the road that will tarnish the reputation of the company
(3) take detours to take care of personal matters during business hours

They indeed have a valid reason to fear fleet GPS tracking devices because this system will alert their employers of all their misdoings. Such a system is capable of monitoring speeds, measuring parking times and revealing the entire route taken to a certain destination. Once it is implemented, your drivers will no longer be able to take advantage of your business and will have to do their jobs up to your standards.

Keeping track of your vehicles is the most logical step to take for you to stay ahead of the curve and your competitors. Some company’s worry about the morale of their employees and believe they will create a disgruntled workforce; and demonstrate an uneasiness and inhibition when it comes to incorporating a fleet management solution. But a fleet management/GPS tracking device solution is a customer-centric solution that will ensure your employees are meeting their benchmarks and fulfilling the expectations of your customers in a timely and efficient manner. Meeting these deliverables and ensuring customer satisfaction will result in a high-morale and united workforce.

The simple truth is that drivers who do not do anything wrong have nothing to fear. If anything, they should welcome a fleet tracking system since it will show precisely that they are doing their jobs properly. Up until now, their efforts went unnoticed by and large since the employers do not have the best information at hand to see who is excelling and who is not. However, now you can keep close track of how all of your drivers behave and, if you are really worried about what fleet tracking will do for morale, you can set up a system where the most careful and efficient drivers are rewarded for their hard work.