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Must-Have Features Of A Fleet Tracking System

Fleet tracking is much more than simply following the location of fleet vehicles, instead, GPS tracking software have a meticulously designed data flow protocol that affords managers much-needed transparency and enhanced control over all that goes on with fleet vehicles.

These features allow GPS vehicle tracking assets to find utility in an ever-competitive market where fleet tracking is not an option but an absolute necessity if you want the best from your team every day without fail. However, not all fleet management systems are the same, some offer features that others can’t match while others are more versatile.

The market is filled with options and picking one seems like a nightmare but worry not because today we’ll discuss the must-have features you should look for when picking a fleet tracking software.

Here Are The Top Must-Have Features Of Fleet Management Systems

Let’s wait no further and get started with the most important features of fleet management systems:

Simple To Use

The first and foremost must-have feature for any GPS vehicle tracking system is being simple and easy to use. No one likes to waste hours and hours learning fleet tracking when that time can be put to better use in doing something about the business.

And you won’t have to.

Most fleet tracking systems, though complex from the developer’s end, are pretty simple and straightforward from the user’s perspective. You will notice that the UI for most options is visually appealing and designed simply to avoid any confusion.

In the case of Fleetr, for instance, you will notice a map screen with landmarks dotted across it to help you orient yourself and indicators showing your vehicles. Their routes and traveling histories are represented by colored tracings over the roads the vehicles used.

You will notice different windows and tabs for different sets of data so as not to cause any confusion.

Apart from the UI, the GPS vehicle tracking system must be simple in all other areas as well.

For instance, consider this: does the device need to be installed by a technician, and if yes, then how long will it take? If you don’t wish to delay matters any further and simply go on with tracking your vehicles then a plug-and-play option will be better suited.

Otherwise, hard-wired flee tracking equipment are also very applicable.

Live Location Tracking

Another excellent feature that most premium-quality fleet tracking solutions possess is the ability to track fleet locations in real-time. This means that you can trace the movements of your fleet vehicles on the map screen as they happen in real life, at that very moment!

In contrast, some subpar GPS tracking software offer only interval updates on the locations of the vehicles, and thus there is no way for you to know where the vehicles are at any given instant. People seeking cheap solutions usually feel content with this much.

However, when you’re looking to boost the productivity of your business and monitor your workers with complete transparency, real-time location tracking is one of the must-have features.

The real value of live location tracking is not unveiled until you need to give accurate ETAs to clients or decide how to reroute your drivers if you’ve come across some disturbing traffic news, or who to assign which task-based on proximity, and so on.

The proponents of cheaper solutions may argue for the loss costly option, but for enhanced productivity, real-time location is valuable knowledge, and it’s not all that expensive either. For instance, Fleetr only costs $9.99 per month for constant real-time fleet tracking!

Monitoring Driver Behavior

Driving is not only a job, it is a massive responsibility. The laws of traffic exist to safeguard everyone on the road, including your drivers. Thus any attempt to deliberately engage in unsafe driving practices should be highly discouraged.

Only one problem: how will you know if one of your drivers did such a deed?

This is where another note-worthy feature of fleet management software comes to light: records of the drivers’ behaviors. The idea is to keep tabs on how fast drivers usually go and if there were any instances of speeding, aggressive driving, and so on.

If the answer is yes, the app will notify you immediately, allowing you to act swiftly and get the driver in question to stop engaging in such dangerous activities. The mere idea of being monitored for such violations will make your drivers much more careful on the road and thus cut down the chances of traffic accidents.

Remember, on the road, your drivers represent you – whatever they do, you will be partly responsible for it, and this includes car accidents as well.

Accidents with commercial vehicles occur in the thousands throughout the USA, and many fatalities also result from such crashes. The losses incurred upon the victims in such cases are horrible, beyond explanation, and such damages also demand a huge payout for compensation.

Guess who’ll be paying the sum: you!

If your driver causes an accident, you will also be held liable for the damages and thus have to pay for them, so be sure to never approve of someone who continues to ignore your warnings and engages in unsafe driving practices.

Route Optimization

Yet another area that sets apart the real deals from the wannabes, route optimization is a new concept and has caught on quite well. The idea is to select the perfect route for every travel and thus ensure that you cut down the travel time however possible, all the while avoiding long distances or traffic jams.

Route optimization is meant to make the process flow much smoother and save precious time and fuel with every job. The overall financial savings through this approach are promising enough to make it part of every fleet management system features checklist.

The principle of route optimization is pretty straightforward, the app scans the traffic patterns, route length, number of turns, and so on to judge the best possible course for any given situation. It then shares the results with you, and off you go.

Though seemingly simple, the route optimization algorithm has to go through tons and tons of data before coming to a resolution about which route is the best suited for a situation. However, the result is worth it, and you won’t feel bad about spending a couple of dollars every month when you’re saving many folds more!

Route optimization is not optional if you want to max up the productivity and say bye-bye to unexpected delays.

Timely Maintenance Alerts

Maintenance problems are another productivity killer, and they can cause serious financial drains as well if you allow things to worsen over time without an end. A simple issue at the moment may swell up many times more if ignored and become more and harder to take care of as time passes.

Usually, such issues show only small signs before they’re ripe and ready to cause some serious pain. You can expect to have your vehicles break down in the middle of the roads unless you handle such problems on time. But how can you if you had next to no idea when the problem started?

Well, one way to deal with this problem (and this part is not optional) is to have regular maintenance inspections. Your drivers can do this stuff, pretty easily, just have them look over the vehicles and point out if something looks out of the ordinary.

But an additional help can come from the fleet management system itself.

Most of them connect straight with the OBD panel and can thus provide constant updates about the vehicle’s maintenance needs, warning you in time of any impending issues that can be resolved with timely action.

Of course, both strategies (manual checks and fleet tracking updates) must work hand in hand for optimal results.

Trip History Recording Feature

Then you also need to know what happened and when. Let’s face it, you won’t be stuck with the screen all day, waiting to come across anything worth your time. Important business decisions need to be made every day, and you must ensure that all goes on smoothly here.

Trip histories are as important as things get in the fleet business.

Manual registers and logs are highly ineffective when it comes to recording the exact facts of every ride because you can’t rely upon people’s abilities to remember every teeny tiny detail from their day’s work. And there is no point calling someone a liar, even if you think that the entries have been manipulated because no one likes being called that.

Instead, you must do away with the obsolete system altogether and introduce complete automation in the process. Just keep the app data at hand and make sure you consider the details when reviewing the progress of your workers; it is highly recommended that you reward desirable behavior and counsel those who act against the protocol.

Through automation of data and availability of trip histories, complete scrutiny is assured. You can look into even the slightest of details and act accordingly. The best part is that all of this is available to you without a moment’s wait or any manipulation of the data.

This will also be helpful for you when filing your tax returns, i.e. for mentioning fuel expenses.

Mobile Phone Compatibility

This may seem trivial, but mobile applications are the lifeline of fleet tracking for the simple reason that you don’t carry your computer around with you and can’t stay glued to your chair all day long. For timely notifications and for jumping in now and then to review the progress of your workers, a mobile app will be a much-needed asset.

However, not all fleet tracking applications offer support for all mobile-based operating systems. But it is also true that more and more fleet management systems have begun to launch applications for the iOS and Android software. This will allow you to tap into your GPS tracking effort whenever you feel like it.

Having a mobile app also offer you more freedom with everything. You can go on and do the important stuff and not give a bit of worry about what might be happening with your fleet because if something important does happen, you will be immediately notified.

Moreover, you can easily split your tasks, i.e. handle all the basic stuff on the mobile phone and the rest on your computer if you’ve got a problem with small screens.

Affordable

Lastly comes affordability. A fleet tracking software is only as good as it costs but this does not mean that you should go on and but the most expensive one willy nilly. Instead, take your time to consider the features you need and then make your decision.

Just a PS, if the deal includes all of the features described above for a favorable rate, then you’re golden!

Fleetr Is The Perfect Answer To Your GPS Tracking Needs

You’re on board with all the features we listed, right? Well, so far, so good. But what if we told you that all of this can come in one package? Yes, affordability included! Fleetr is the perfect fleet tracking solution for small businesses.

We don’t ask for any binding contracts, won’t bother you with any hidden charges, won’t ask for any initiation fees, or any of that bad stuff that keeps most people away from GPS tracking systems in the first place.

Instead, the deal with Fleetr is pretty simple, just buy our subscription, get a free GPS tracker, plug it in, download the app, set up the system, and get started.

All for $9.99 per month, isn’t that great?

If you think so, then feel free to contact us now to get started!

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