GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems: Do I Need One?
GPS vehicle tracking systems are more affordable and more popular than ever, but do you need one? Take this short quiz and track your “yes” answers. I’ll help you add up your score and decide after you’re done.
Step One: Take the Questionnaire
- Do I use vehicles in my business? If not
(The definition of ‘vehicles’ includes heavy, medium and light vehicles, construction equipment (bulldozers, motor graders, backhoe loaders, etc.), cars, motorcycles, RVs, pickup trucks, vans, tractor-trailers, buses, trailers, dump trucks , snow plows, limousines, taxis, etc.)
- Have any of my vehicles been stolen in the past? If not
- I would like to know what is happening and where my employees/vehicles are during the day: If not
- I would like to reduce my fuel costs and know if any of my vehicles are using gasoline: If not
- Being able to give my clients accurate and accurate arrival/delivery estimates is important to me: If not
- It is important to know if any of my vehicles are used after hours or on weekends for non-commercial purposes: If not
- I would like to save up to 30% on my vehicle insurance: If not
- It is important to know if my employees are speeding or abusing my vehicles: If not
- If any of my employees are using my vehicles for ‘moonlighting’ or work without my knowledge, I would like to know: If not
- Knowing about mechanical problems before they become expensive to fix is important: If not
- If any of my vehicles are ever stolen, I would like to locate them within minutes: If not
- I would like vehicle usage data to compare with overtime requests as a form of error and fraud protection: If not
- I would like to receive a reminder when it is time for routine maintenance on my vehicles: If not
- Occasionally customers ask when we were at their location, having the exact date and time recorded in our tracking system would be helpful in those cases: If not
- I would like to help my employees be more productive by seeing where they go each day: If not
Step Two: Add Up Your ‘Yes’ Answers
Add up your ‘yes’ answers.
- Less than 7 ‘yes’ answers: Thanks for taking the quiz, it doesn’t sound like you want/need a vehicle tracking system.
- 7 to 11 ‘yes’ answers: Thank you for taking the test. You could greatly benefit from a vehicle tracking system.
- More than 11 ‘yes’ answers: Thank you for taking the test. You need a vehicle tracking system.
By the way, all of the above questions (except questions 1 and 2) are answered by using GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Step Three: Cost vs. Gain
The average business owner recovers his investment in GPS vehicle tracking systems within 6 to 12 months of purchase. Of course, your ROI may vary. Stolen vehicle recovery can pay for your entire tracking system.
Vehicle tracking helps you reduce operating costs and increases productivity.
Tracking systems reduce vehicle costs by highlighting employees who speed, waste fuel, cause excessive engine wear and drive up insurance rates. Vehicle tracking systems will also remind you when it’s time for preventative maintenance, like oil changes, helping you keep your vehicles on the road and earning you money.
GPS vehicle tracking systems improve productivity by:
- document long lunch hours,
- expose unauthorized breakage,
- compare drivers’ requests for overtime with system reports on driver activity,
- highlighting the unauthorized use of the vehicle outside working hours and on weekends,
- Deletion of driver registrations.
Many insurance companies offer discounts of up to 30% for vehicles protected by tracking systems.
Step Four: Due Diligence
GPS vehicle tracking systems are excellent tools for vehicle and fleet management, but you need to find the right system for you. Take a look at the different types of GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Check a company’s hardware and software, as well as its monthly data access plan. You will also need to decide whether to purchase or lease your GPS tracking system.
Good luck.
