Fleet Tracking Systems: Keeping Track Of All Your Fleet VehiclesFor any company that runs a large fleet of vehicles, whether consisting of cars or trucks that carry freight, some kind of fleet tracking system is essential. The software makes tasks easier and quicker, and in many cases does away with the need for manual tracking of the vehicles. There are different aspects to vehicle tracking, and essentially they are the ability to track vehicles on the road, the ability to track freight, tracking drivers and doing duty rosters, and tracking maintenance. This article will cover these basic aspects and look at some considerations which need to be kept in mind when purchasing a fleet tracking system. One of the basics of any fleet tracking system is to keep track of the vehicles when on the road. This enables the fleet manager to know exactly where each vehicle is at any one time and enables proper planning of vehicle resources. It also enables customers to be kept informed of the expected time of arrival (ETA) of any freight that is expected. To track vehicles effectively, the best type of vehicle tracking software usually utilizes some form of global positioning (GPS) system, which enables real time tracking of the cars or trucks. The information is relayed via the GPS to a central vehicle tracking computer system which can usually be accessed by an internet connection. The software will also enable the fleet manager to print out reports to show the exact location of any vehicle in the fleet. For freight companies it is also essential that the freight being carried by the fleet of trucks can be successfully tracked. A good fleet tracking system will have software module which enables each consignment to be given a docket number and then the carrying vehicle tracked via GPS in real time. This will enable the fleet management staff to answer customer queries about the location of their freight and give an accurate ETA. In some cases it might be possible to enable customers to access the fleet management database online, and by entering a code see exactly where the freight is and when it is expected to arrive. The thing that keeps any fleet running is the drivers, of course, and a good fleet management tracking system will have a means of tracking fleet drivers as part of the software. By being able to track the location of drivers, the fleet manager will be able to make sure the fleet runs at maximum efficiency and make sure there are always enough drivers available for the jobs. A good piece of fleet tracking software will also contain some type of roster creation software to enable the fleet manager to automatically create staff rosters and allocate drivers to the various jobs. The fleet will also need to be maintained, and the fleet tracking system should have a module that enable the maintenance of the fleet to be organized effectively, including the planning of vehicle servicing, and keeping track of when the vehicle is ready to be used for work again. The software should keep track of which jobs need to be done, should automatically schedule maintenance, and keep the vehicles maintenance record, showing which vehicle maintenance jobs have been carried out. It should be obvious that a fleet management system is about more than keeping track of the location of a vehicle. It also needs to keep track of the freight, the drivers, and any maintenance that needs to be done. In order to get the best vehicle tracking system for your needs, ensure that it has all the elements required to totally keep control of the fleet and the drivers. By doing some research and keeping these points in mind, you won't go far wrong in choosing a tracking system for your needs. |