11 Facts That Nobody Told You About GPS Trackers

By Alexander Joe

GPS tracker image for article

Have you ever wondered how big corporations like Amazon and Uber manage their enormous number of vehicles, their delivery personnel, and their customers? Well, the simple answer to this is GPS fleet trackers.

GPS is the short form for Global Positioning System. GPS tracking is where we use a GPS-enabled device attached to either an object, person or animal, to monitor their location. The tracking device is fitted with a GPS receiver that records the current location at regular intervals.

When working in tandem with the GPS fleet tracking software, GPS tracking devices can do wonders. It can manage maintenance needs, check asset availability, and optimize route plans. Thus, improving the rate of productivity of the whole fleet.  

Take a look at the benefits a GPS fleet tracker provides:

  • Increases efficiency and productivity

A GPS fleet tracker can streamline the driver and the load interaction, thereby bridging the gap between the road and the office and ultimately helps in improving productivity. You can read more about fleet management tools from here

  • Increases safety

Fleet managers can allocate the sight of problems like harsh braking, speeding, and rash driving through alerts and take proper corrective actions to maximize safety and minimize vehicle depreciation.

  •  Maintains compliance

GPS tracking devices maintain ELD, IFTA, and DVIR data through a single platform and keep your fleet compliant thus, minimizing the risks.

Tracking is just a part of what a GPS tracker does. It is much more than that. Beyond all these safety and savior applications for this technology, there are numerous recreational and other uses for a GPS tracker that you might not know. If you are a fleet owner then you need to know these things about gps tracking. 

  • Provides historical and real-time tracking

Generally, a GPS tracker is used to locate the position of a vehicle, but this is where the similarities end between the different ways of tracking. If you go with the conventional type of tracking, your data needs to be downloaded from the fleet tracker. This type of tracking does not support real-time reporting. It just collects the data to be viewed later. It is called passive tracking.

But if you want your devices to report in real-time, active tracking is there for you. It also allows you to view the complete history of all the tracking sessions that your device has recorded all this time. Active trackers can continuously report the data that can be tracked every minute. There is no need to download it either, just open a map and locate your devices from anywhere.

  • Mobile management

It is really important to evaluate the communication channel if your trucks keep going out of range. Whether at the office or out in the field, your connection with your fleet is vital. Modern fleet tracking GPS integrates with mobile android and iOS devices, providing real-time updates and alerts that enable you to access the data anywhere you need. It also allows you to submit the status information through electronic forms from anywhere.

Data generated by a vehicle travels between satellites, servers, and the receivers where information like the vehicle’s location, engine hours, and geofencing status is gathered.

  • GPS trackers are not a navigation system only

GPS trackers are widely used for navigation – to show the way ahead or the route between two places. But once combined with a fleet tracking system, they can go the extra mile. The data collected from the GPS is analyzed by the fleet tracking system and converted into reports which tell you the areas of improvement in your business operations. For example, based on how long a vehicle is at one location, you can find the idle time and assign jobs to utilize this time gap. GPS fleet tracking also enables us to know grades such as engine performance, vehicle speed, task completion tracking, and much more. 

  • GPS trackers can be handy and easy to use

Gone are the days of unwieldy devices with a cluster of wires. In today’s era, GPS tracking devices are smaller and simpler to install. You just need to plug them right into the vehicle’s OBD II port, and you are done.

As a fleet manager, if you want to track a vehicle or asset without letting the driver know, you can opt for ‘covert installation’. Usually, the devices used for covert or discreet tracking are compact and can be easily hidden. 

  •  Prevents vehicle down-time

Since vehicles are the pillars of any fleet business, out-of-service vehicles can hinder the growth and productivity of the fleet business. GPS fleet trackers, along with the GPS tracking software, can prevent the early downtime of the vehicles by keeping you up with the maintenance and regular inspections.

  • It is not limited to fleets only

Tracking commercial fleets might be the most powerful deployment of the GPS tracker, but it is not the only one. It has much more scope and areas where it serves.

GPS is used in militaries to track aircraft, troop movements, navigation at sea, and more. GPS navigation has been a life-saver for those stationed in unfamiliar regions or who have to move in the night.

GPS Tracking has a major role in search and rescue operations as well. It enables the rescue personnel to keep track of the locations they’ve covered. 

  • Provides roadside assistance

If you are not using a GPS fleet tracker, you are missing out on a really attractive perk. If you deal with vehicles every day, you must have had your fair share of vehicle-related emergencies.

Many companies provide roadside assistance for flat tires, fuel-filling, towing your vehicles, windshield replacements, and mobile-oil change. How do you think they must be providing their service so efficiently?

The answer is GPS tracking technology. It also helps in getting load boards and with the weigh station bypass programs. If the weight station is participating, the weight of the vehicle is automatically calculated from the motion scales with the help of GPS tracking technology.

  • Saves on insurance premiums

Today’s tracking system has never been more affordable and easy to use. One of the most important details from the list is the reduced insurance premiums due to tracking technology.

Insurance companies encourage safer driving practices due to which many insurers offer discounts to reliable and recognized tracking solutions. GPS tracking curtails the insurance rate because it lowers the chances of claim in case of vehicle theft.

Final Words

We have barely scratched the surface. GPS with fleet tracking and other operational aspects of the transportation industry has vast applications and has been continuously changing the way this industry works. You can check out GPSTracker247.com for more resources on GPS Tracking.

It is high time you jump the wagon and take your fleet business to new heights. 

How has GPS tracking helped you and your business? Let us know in the comments! 

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