Benefits Of Business Vehicle Tracking

Given the myriad of challenges running a fleet entails - not to mention the sheer volume of traffic on the roads - fleet management can be a highly challenging job. To overcome the issues that each manager faces on a daily basis many are responding through the adoption of technological solutions which are becoming increasingly popular throughout the sector.

Business vehicle tracking systems offer various benefits to those who invest in them, including improvements in customer service, productivity and environmental protection.

In recent decades fleet management has been revolutionised by telematics and vehicle tracking technology. For those who have introduced it into their company it has become an indispensable tool that helps to ensure effective, efficient operations; and this article outlines some of the key benefits it can deliver for your business.

Better customer service

Customer service is absolutely crucial to running a successful firm of any size operating in any sector and the transport industry is no different. The desire to improve the service delivered to customers is just one reason why so many fleet operators have adopted business vehicle tracking technology over the last few years.

Jim Norton, Distribution Planning Manager at Warburtons, explains why it’s so business vehicle tracking is important to operations there, and how technology helps keep customers happy: "The high quality of our products together with consistently high levels of customer service is very important to us.

“We now have visibility of our customer service performance immediately whereas previously (when we used manual reporting) we had a 12-hour delay in getting feedback from the drivers”.

Features such as dynamic routing means vehicles can be allocated a new route should they encounter traffic jams or disruption. All of this can help to ensure higher standards of customer service, including quicker and more reliable deliveries.

Enhanced productivity and lower costs

Because vehicle tracking technology provides fleet managers with a comprehensive and dynamic overview of their fleet’s performance, it also allows for considerable improvements in fleet productivity. As we’ve already touched on, telematics systems provide highly detailed data about driver performance, so dangerous conduct such as tailgating, harsh braking, rough cornering and excessive speeding are all highlighted. Fleet operators can then take the appropriate action – for example, devising a training and development programme tailored to individual drivers, addressing their particular shortcomings and areas they need to work on.

Fleet tracking systems, as we’ve previously noted, keep fleet operators informed about where drivers are and allow them to change routes when required. Because of this and the insights provide an overview of driver behaviour, the amount of wear and tear on vehicles, and fuel consumption can be optimised.

Compliance and the environment

Nobody with experience of fleet management will need reminding of the plethora of rules and regulations to which they are required to adhere. There is indeed a wealth of legislation concerning the various aspects of fleet management. Vehicle tracking can drastically simplify the compliance process, ensuring that fleet operators have concrete, hard data at their disposal as and when they need it.

Furthermore, none of us can afford to be complacent about the environment – we wrote about how telematics is reshaping co2 management last year. The fact is, vehicle tracking technology enables fleet operators to meet regulatory standards and create a sustainable future by cutting out inefficient driving through more effective routing and facilitating improvements in driving standards.