Every business is different. The way you manage day-to-day tasks, the way you serve your customers, the way you manage your fleet vehicles and service techs. You need fleet management software that fits your unique needs, but choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming.
In this blog, we’ll cover the basics of GPS-based fleet tracking and what questions to ask yourself before choosing a provider. This will give you an idea of what you need to better manage your fleet for greater efficiencies and profitability.
- What real-time information do you need?
The solution you choose should give you visibility into all aspects of your fleet business. GPS tracking isn’t just about seeing where vehicles are located on a map.
It’s about providing you with information that improves dispatch and routing by finding the most efficient routes, as well as alternates in case of traffic or construction. It’s information that will help improve driver behavior and safety, so you avoid higher insurance rates or a damaging accident. It’s insight that can help lower your fuel spend, ensure properly maintained vehicles, get more work completed in less time, and make customers happy.
If this sounds like what you need, look for fleet management software that gives you real-time information and visibility – 24/7/365.
- From where will you access your information?
You probably don’t spend your work days sitting at a desk behind a computer screen. You’ll probably need to access mobile GPS tracking information from mobile tablets or smartphones when you’re out in the field. With cloud-based software, you can be outside of your office – and in the know. The right fleet management solution will deliver fleet data to your fingertips, so you can make smarter decisions that will keep your vehicles and crew running optimally.
- Do you have vehicles and equipment to track?
Some of your most valuable assets are your vehicles and equipment. With a fleet management software that supplies real-time GPS tracking, you’ll know where they’ll be located at all times. Tracking makes it easier for you to get the right equipment and vehicles to the right job at the right time. You’ll know which ones are on the road and which are in the yard or at a job site. Plus, you can quickly locate and recover both powered and unpowered assets that may have been used without authorization or stolen.
- Do you need software that’s intuitive, easy to use?
If you don’t have a lot of time, staff, or resources to devote to getting up to speed on new fleet management software, choose a GPS tracking system with an intuitive, web-based interface that’s easy to use. Ensure that the product fits the way you work – that it’s available on mobile devices, for example, and that data is instantly updated via the cloud. Finally, choose a solution that doesn’t require you to install and maintain complex infrastructure, hardware, and software.
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll discuss more features you may be looking for when choosing your fleet management solution, from getting granular with driver behavior to monitoring Hours of Service (HOS). For more information, visit our Fleet Management page.