GPS tracking technology has become very popular in the last few years as a means of navigation while travelling in your car. Originally designed by the United States military for military use, many commercial applications have been developed for GPS tracking capabilities since the US government opened up the technology for commercial development and use. The most common and popular of these is using this GPS tracking technology to replace the use of paper maps for trip and driving navigational purposes. Many car makers now incorporate this ability in new cars, and aftermarket units can be purchased for installation in older cars. As nice and convenient as this use of the technology is, there are actually more beneficial and practical uses of GPS tracking for business fleet management.
GPS tracking can be used by businesses for fleet management in several ways to increase efficiency and decrease unnecessary business expenses. One of these uses of GPS tracking is being able to more effeciently map and monitor delivery routes to eliminate unnecessary driving by employees. With the continuing rise in fuel costs with no end in sight, any unnecessary or unauthorized driving increases fuel expenditures and decreases profits for the company. While this might not have a big impact on a company with one or two company vehicles, a company with a multitude of vehicles could really be impacted financially by excess fuel expenditures caused by unnecessary driving by it's employees in company vehicles. GPS tracking gives the company the means to track movement of it's vehicles to ensure that they are reaching the destinations they are headed for in a timely manner without making detours or stops for non-business related reasons. It gives the company the ability to make sure it's employees are where they are supposed to be and are performing the jobs they are being paid to do when they are away from the business in company vehicles.
Another excellent reason for GPS tracking by businesses would be for theft prevention of expensive company vehicles and equipment, and quick recovery of vehicles or equipment which might become victim to this crime. Some covert GPS tracking units can be set to send alerts to a cell phone or computer when a movement perimeter has been breached. Some of these units also have the capability of being able to disable the starting system of vehicles equipted with them so that once turned off, the vehicles can't be restarted by the thieves. With the vehicle disabled and the ability to know exactly where the vehicle is, authorities can be immediately notified of it's location and quick recovery of the vehicle secured by law enforcement officials. Another benefit to businesses whose vehicles are so equipted would be a possible reduction of insurance premiums due to the high recovery rate of vehicles equipted with GPS tracking systems, thereby saving the company additional money. For a company with a number of vehicles or high value equipment such as construction related equipment, this could result in a substancial savings just in insurance costs.
While most of us think of GPS technology as a nice convenience that can help us get from one place to another without getting lost or having to fumble around with paper maps, companies using GPS tracking for fleet management can greatly benefit financially by employing this revolutionary technology to eliminate unnecessary driving costs and protect expensive machinery against loss due to theft.
