With today’s technology, having to worry about your fleet is old-school. Vehicle tracking systems have created a world where fleet management has been made easier. Get peace of mind with vehicle tracking from dispatch to delivery, all in the palm of your hand.

Technology continues to make our lives easier. Today, smartphones give us access to the online world and even our household appliances like washing machines. One of the tech creations that has completely transformed the fleet industry, is GPS tracking! Fleet companies are now in the know of their entire operations from beginning to end. 

The real question is, how do you get the best vehicle tracking software with so much to choose from? By the end of this blog, you will know exactly what GPS vehicle tracking is, what to look for in vehicle tracking software and how your fleet business will benefit from vehicle tracking.  

What is a vehicle tracking system?

A vehicle tracking system is software used to determine the exact location of a vehicle at any given time. To receive real-time insights on the geographic position of a vehicle, a vehicle tracking device is connected to the vehicle and uses GPS technology.

How exactly does GPS tracking work?

Okay, let's break it down: GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a satellite constellation supporting high accurate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) measurements worldwide. While one of the first satellite positioning systems was initially developed in the 1960s for military purposes, GPS became available for public use in 1983. 

Today, GPS has various uses in agriculture, marine surveying, and even fleet management where it is used to determine when, where, and how vehicles are being used, including driver behaviour, maintenance alerts, and more. This is done using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network which comprises satellites that are in communication with GPS tracking devices providing information on the location, route, time, and speed of vehicles. 

How do you know you need GPS fleet tracking? 

Let’s unpack fleet tracking a bit more. Fleet tracking refers to a management system that uses GPS to monitor not just a fleet, but also tracked assets. 

Fleet tracking uses telematics technology to collect real-time data from the fleet so fleet managers can monitor and efficiently manage the entire fleet and make strategic operational decisions. 

These are some indications that your fleet business needs GPS fleet tracking:

• A fleet manager is unable to manage drivers’ tasks and completion rates
• There is poor visibility over your fleet and drivers, and poor task progression
• A fleet manager is unable to assign and communicate important tasks in the event of an emergency 
• A fleet business has poor customer experience due to the inability to reach high customer expectations 
• Paperwork and signed proof of delivery (POD) get misplaced

4 benefits of fleet tracking 

On the flip side, effective fleet tracking translates to the smooth operation of a fleet business, regardless of the fleet size. In turn, productivity increases, saving the business time and money, and overall, improving the customer experience which is great for any business’s bottom line.
Here are 4 benefits of vehicle tracking for fleet businesses:  

1. Driver visibility and asset tracking: Previously, fleet managers had no way of knowing the exact geographical location of the fleet and even the completion rate of the deliveries. Now, GPS tracking systems allow fleet managers to create, assign and monitor drivers’ tasks.
   
   
2. Reduced operational costs: Whether it is reducing money or time, GPS tracking allows fleet managers to efficiently manage a fleet, increase productivity and reduce late and incorrect deliveries.
   
   
3. Good customer experience: With vehicle tracking, customers can get real-time tracking of their cargo every step of the way from dispatch to delivery. Upon delivery, customers can sign an electronic POD and receive a delivery confirmation email.
   
   
4. Reduced admin: Vehicle tracking allows fleet managers to reduce admin burdens with the ability to assign tasks, track drivers and fleet, and store electric PODs, all in one place. 

But with so many tracking systems to choose from, how do you know which one is best? Let’s find out.  

How to spot a good GPS tracking software

Vehicle tracking tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes from plug-ins, to hardwired, and battery-operated.  Here’s how to choose the best fleet tracking software: 

• Find an easy-to-use platform: Simplicity ensures fleet companies don’t exhaust additional time, resources, and energy. Find tracking software that provides everything you need for your fleet in one platform so that fleet managers can focus on expanding the business.
  
  
• Get real-time tracking: Efficiently managing a fleet operation entails having access to the right information at the right time, when it is needed. Get real-time vehicle tracking, including HD video footage, and AI-powered cameras, so fleet managers can use data received to make strategic operational decisions.
  
  
• Mobility is a must-have: The ability to get visibility of the fleet and communicate with drivers from anywhere is essential for a fleet to operate smoothly. This way, you can manage the whole business operation (from assigning tasks to routing and dispatching, to the delivery) in the palm of your hands. 

Get vehicle tracking in the palm of your hand with the Cartrack App

Cartrack provides an easy-to-use vehicle tracking and fleet management platform. Catrack's vehicle tracking software puts fleet managers in complete control of your fleet, drivers, and assets.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular features from Cartrack’s all-in-one fleet management software: 

Live-vision and AI-powered cameras: Cartrack’s easy-to-use video system provides real-time visibility of your fleet, cargo, and drivers. This AI-powered and live-stream camera technology has up to eight internal or external cameras to ensure the safety of your drivers, fleet, and cargo and includes event recording, giving fleet managers insights into driver behaviour. 

Geofence: With an accurate GPS positioning functionality alongside route histories on comprehensive street-level mapping, fleet managers can set up predefined areas (geofences) and receive notifications via SMS and email when vehicles enter or exit these areas.  

Protector: Protector is a Value-Added Service by Cartrack. At a push of a button provided on the Cartrack App or website, drivers can get medical, roadside, legal, accommodation, and car hire services, making their work experience as comfortable as possible. 

MiFleet: MiFleet is an easy-to-use software that can efficiently manage fleet-related operating costs. With MiFleet, fleet managers can easily import fuel transactions, highlight all fuel risks, get informed on possible fraud and investigate ways to save fuel, money, and reduce admin. 

Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR): If a vehicle is stolen, Cartrack’s stolen vehicle recovery uses an advanced tracking device to track and recover vehicles. With the support of a highly-trained response team, Cartrack has over 92% stolen vehicle recovery rate and offers a generous R150 000 Recovery Warranty in the unlikely event their response team is unable to recover your vehicle. 

Get peace of mind with Cartrack

Fleet managers' lives are made easier with Cartrack’s vehicle tracking and telematics platform, and fleet administration system which provides security, safety and control, anywhere, anytime. .  

Contact Cartrack today for peace of mind in the palm of your hand.