| "body"> | | | | There are a few points to consider when |
| Selecting an efficient vehicle tracking system to | | | | choosing a vehicle tracking system that may help |
| improve on fleet management, the efficient | | | | make the decision a little easier. Vehicle trackers |
| running of complex systems and to reduce overall | | | | fall into two camps, passive and active. Both |
| fleet costs is now becoming a far more popular | | | | gather GPS device location information, speed, |
| option. Effective GPS tracking systems that | | | | heading and other diagnostic information. Active |
| incorporate not only vehicle tracking but data | | | | devices differ from passive ones in that they |
| analysis as well are now one of the most | | | | transmit this data in real-time to a central location, |
| effective tools in running a fleet successfully and | | | | enabling the fleet management team to use this |
| efficiently. | | | | data to optimise routes, priorities pick-ups or |
| However, the sheer choice of vehicle tracking | | | | deliveries or act in the event of an emergency or |
| systems available to fleet managers can be | | | | theft. Passive vehicle tracking systems store the |
| baffling. There are free options available on the | | | | data and download it at a given point, usually the |
| Internet, so why would you want to spend | | | | end of the day or even once a week. |
| money on a system that theoretically you can | | | | When choosing a GPS tracking system, consider |
| get for free off the Web? | | | | exactly what you want the system to do for |
| The simple answer is that the free options do not | | | | you. Learn as much as you can about the |
| deliver the same amount or quality of information | | | | different systems and what coverage, data and |
| that vehicle tracking systems supplied by | | | | diagnostics are included - even areas such as |
| manufacturers deliver. There are two tracker | | | | upgraded software patches, warranties or |
| systems freely available - Google's Latitude and | | | | after-sales service the provider offers. Ask |
| the alternative independent system, Locatea.net. | | | | questions such as what happens to the data if |
| Google's 'Latitude' is a free access system that | | | | the GPS tracking device goes into a 'black spot' |
| shows people using the software their location to | | | | where there is no coverage. Does the unit store |
| within a few metres anywhere on the planet, as | | | | the location updates and if so how many and for |
| well as the location of any friends and family who | | | | how long? |
| are also signed up to the system. An extension of | | | | If you are only looking for a vehicle tracking |
| the immensely successful 'Google Earth' | | | | system to improve security or you only want a |
| application, Latitude is a fun way of keeping in | | | | tracking report once a week, make sure the |
| touch with friends and family. However, it does | | | | vehicle tracker you buy delivers what you want |
| not really have a practical business application or | | | | and you don't end up paying for more features |
| use in fleet management as the data supplied is | | | | than you require. Alternatively, if you are looking |
| limited only to location. | | | | for a system that gives you detailed information |
| Locatea.net is similar to Latitude, giving locations | | | | and diagnostics on each vehicle as well as a GPS |
| of everyone who signs up to the system but | | | | tracking function, ensure that the package you |
| again doesn't really have a practical business | | | | buy is a comprehensive one. |
| application. The other major drawback of the free | | | | Finally, make sure that the vehicle tracking |
| systems is that they are voluntary systems, | | | | system you purchase does not have any nasty |
| making it very easy to opt out should a driver | | | | 'hidden extra' costs such as additional 'monthly |
| wish to. This factor makes the free services | | | | airtime' charges and that the supplier offers a |
| almost useless as effective commercial vehicle | | | | Service Level Agreement or full warranty that |
| tracking systems and the data is limited to | | | | includes updates, maintenance and replacement of |
| location only. No other additional information is | | | | any parts that may fail. For effective fleet |
| given, such as speed, diagnostics or any | | | | management, vehicle tracking systems and GPS |
| piggyback function connected to the vehicle's | | | | tracking are essential tools that make the |
| immobilization system in the event of a vehicle | | | | complex and costly operation of running a fleet |
| theft. | | | | efficiently much easier. |