#1) How much does fleet GPS tracking cost?
There is no fixed cost for fleet tracking. It all depends on the number of vehicles you have, the package you purchased, and how much your services provider usually charges. But one thing is clear: a fleet GPS tracking service does not necessarily have to be expensive.
While some high-end products will set you back a great deal, this is not true for all of them.
Fleetr, for instance, has a very fair per vehicle deal in which you only have to pay a meager $9.99 per month for one car and track it as you like. Plus, there are no extra hidden charges, initiation fees, installation dues, or device cost (free) on top of this.
So, $9.99 a month should cover it.
#2) How big of a fleet do I need to have before I can think of fleet GPS tracking?
For some fleet management products, you’ll have to fulfill a certain set of conditions. Some may ask you to sign up for a contract that binds you to track a minimum number of vehicles, let’s say four or half a dozen in the least. This means that it would be unwise to get the subscription unless you had that many cars to begin with.
But opting for a fleet tracking service is not only possible but very practical even if you have just one vehicle to track!
Fleet size should not be an issue.
Fleetr does not bind you to commit to a fixed number. Instead, you’re free to get the trackers for as many vehicles as you want and then expand later if you add more vehicles to your fleet. So, no, in an ideal case, you don’t have to have a certain number of cars before you can go for a fleet GPS tracking service.
#3) Isn’t fleet GPS tracking intrusive?
We can understand why you might think so, and yes, it makes sense from one perspective, i.e., who’d want to be tracked and monitored? But that’s not what fleet tracking does. You’re not monitoring your drivers as they do their job as much as you are tracking your assets and ensuring that your vehicles are being used fairly and as per your requirements.
Come to think of it. You have the right to know that your fleet vehicles are going as per the schedule and have no delays. Of course, fleet tracking does show you a lot about how your drivers are performing too, but that goes with your company assets. So no, you’re not intruding into anyone’s personal space. If anything, you’re bridging the gap between the fleet manager and the fleet.
The best way to introduce the system to your workers is to show them how it will benefit everyone involved.
#4) Small businesses have a narrow margin for business investments. Does it make sense for them to invest in a fleet GPS tracking service?
Your reluctance here is also understandable, and this is something we’ve come across quite often in this business. Fleet GPS tracking service is a business investment, and we say that because it will increase your overall profitability. To say that you won’t bear the financial burden is impractical since the system will help you bring in more money than otherwise.
However, there are cases where such concerns can become a troubling reality. If you don’t plan ahead when purchasing a fleet tracking system, then that can have dire consequences. Some packages are not meant for small fleets, and if you end up with something ultra-expensive, the cost will become a burden.
Thus, be sure to compare the prices first, but of course, don’t go for the cheapest option either because you need high-end features as well.
#5) Do I need to get ELD devices installed in my vehicles by professionals before I begin?
No, not necessarily. Some devices have to be hardwired into your vehicles, and that will require professional assistance, but most ELD trackers are plug-and-play devices. This means that you can simply plug them into the corresponding OBD port, and that will be it.
The latter is easier to use and more practical for small fleets considering the lower costs and minimal hassles. However, there is one downside: you shouldn’t use such trackers if your vehicles have to cover a vast geographical area and you’re concerned about security, because in that case, a hardwired device will be more appropriate.
However, both of them function well.
#6) Who will teach me how to use the fleet GPS tracking application?
Most fleet GPS tracking applications like Fleetr have a very simple UI. You may think that using the application is hard since there are so many features to go through, but that’s not the case. In fact, there is no learning curve to mastering the Fleetr app.
Just tap into the app screen, swipe a bit, tap some more, and you’ll be using the application like a pro. It is just as easy as we described, and it is meant to be as such because the app is to be used by fleet managers and not IT experts.
#7) I understand the merits of fleet tracking and am drawn towards the technology, but my drivers are not so keen. What should I do?
This is where you need to put your leadership skills to the test. It is not easy to get your team to be on the same page as you in such matters since the change is abrupt. People are generally not so keen on sudden changes, but your behavior will make all the difference.
Instead of being assertive and overly dominant, you should show understanding and be more open to the worries of your workers. Make them feel heard, and then show them how everyone will benefit from installing such a system.
Make them see things from your perspective: better business, more money, and thus more prospects for professional growth – a true win for all!
Who’d say no to that?
#8) What features should I look for when buying a fleet GPS tracking system?
Here are some of the most outstanding features that your fleet GPS tracking system must have:
- Live location tracking
- Driver behavior monitoring
- Alerts for unsafe driving behavior
- Maintenance reminders and alerts
- Idling notifications
- Location history feature
- Route optimization
- Automated record-keeping
- Compatibility with both PCs and mobile devices
#9) How fast does the location of fleet vehicles get updated on the screen?
If you’ve bought a fleet GPS tracking system that clearly advertises its ability of live location tracking, then the change will be almost instantaneous. Live location tracking refers to the ability of the app to show real-time vehicle displacements on your screen as they happen.
In contrast, some applications, the cheaper ones, have a fixed refresh rate.
Depending on the app, the screen will refresh after half a minute, a full minute, 2 minutes, or even 3 minutes. This way, you’ll miss all the parts in between, i.e., you won’t know when your driver made a turn or where they are at any given instance.
Always go for live location tracking if you want to maximize the output of your fleet GPS tracking service system.
#10) What are some terms and conditions for working with fleet tracking companies, and when does it become unfair?
Usually, the terms and conditions are not very strict, i.e., every company will demand that you don’t harm the hardware or tamper with it, and so on. But in some cases, the contractual obligations do become unfair, especially when you come across terms and conditions that dictate a set period for which you must use the company’s services or a minimum number of vehicles.
Fleetr won’t ask you to do anything of the sort. Instead, you’ll be free to walk out whenever you want, free to track as many vehicles you’d like to, and will be unbound by any commitments, save for a monthly rent of $9.99 per vehicle.
It can be that easy.
#11) What type of businesses benefit the most from fleet GPS tracking service?
Virtually any business with a major transportation component will benefit from a fleet GPS tracking service. If you have a couple of cars, or even just the one (to track), and several stops in a day, you need a fleet GPS tracking service. From delivery businesses to transportation setups, all vehicle-based setups will benefit from vehicle tracking and monitoring.
In short, if you feel that your transport component can be upgraded, then fleet GPS tracking service is for you.
#12) Is it legal to track your vehicles via a fleet GPS tracking service?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to track your fleet of vehicles, but certain conditions come along with it. Firstly, you can’t track someone without their knowledge and express consent (written) of the same. For this, you’ll have to introduce the system to your drivers (don’t keep it hidden), get them on board, and get them to give their consent for this change.
Plus, you may also be required to display a sticker on your vehicle that says it is being tracked via fleet GPS tracking technology. The exact nature of policies governing the use of the system varies across state lines, so be sure to get an attorney on board before you go through with this stuff.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this answered many questions for you and cleared your mind, even if just a little bit. Fleet GPS tracking has never been simpler than it is with the rise of Fleetr. We offer full freedom to our customers and provide all the tools they need to get the most out of their fleets.
Call us today to get to know more about what we can do for you!
