| Businesses with large fleets of cars or trucks | | | | 1. Tracking Unit Hardware - The physical box |
| need an efficient way to track where their fleets | | | | which is installed on the vehicle itself, comprised of |
| are at any given time. Not only are these fleets a | | | | a small processor, GPS, and GSM communication |
| large business investment but they may be | | | | abilities. |
| transporting valuable cargo. Losing even one car | | | | 2. Tracking Unit Software - The software which |
| or truck can mean thousands of dollars of lost | | | | operates the physical hardware on each vehicle. |
| revenue. | | | | Without this software, the tracking boxes are |
| Rental cars, commercial delivery trucks, and even | | | | useless (think PC without an operating system). |
| taxi cabs can all benefit from having vehicle | | | | 3. A Tracking Server - The computer (generally in |
| tracking installed. Rental car agents can know | | | | a data center) which receives and stores all the |
| instantly when a certain car will arrive back to | | | | tracking information in one central location. This |
| their lot; taxi dispatchers will know which cabs are | | | | tracking information can then be posted to a map |
| closest to a client's neighborhood; and delivery | | | | for easy viewing and fleet management. |
| managers can make their routes more efficient | | | | The server can be housed in the business office |
| which will save gas and time. All this is possible by | | | | or can be shared in a remote location by a third |
| simply knowing where their fleet is at all times. | | | | party. Usually these third party servers are |
| Vehicle tracking systems can also help monitor a | | | | available only by subscription. The hardware units |
| driver's behavior, prevent theft, and determine | | | | can be purchased in bulk from a supplier and a |
| when drivers are taking breaks. These records | | | | business owner can even save money by doing |
| can also corroborate the vehicle's mileage and gas | | | | the installation in house. Generally the hardware |
| consumption which has an impact on company | | | | comes with the software already installed, so the |
| profits. | | | | one price gets both components. However it is |
| Real time tracking is important because if any | | | | also possible to purchase the components |
| members of the fleet encounter problems, | | | | separately in order to get a better deal on the |
| sending immediate help will reduce any loss. Using | | | | hardware directly from the manufacturer (rather |
| vehicle tracking to manage a fleet can also | | | | than through a reseller) and then install the |
| improve customer service, especially when you | | | | software yourself. |
| can tell a customer exactly when they will be | | | | Even though the initial investment cost might |
| picked up or when their delivery will arrive. | | | | deter some business owners from taking this |
| Vehicle tracking devices can easily be installed on | | | | protective measure, adding vehicle tracking |
| each individual car or truck and they use simple | | | | systems to a fleet is a smart investment in the |
| mobile (cellular) networks to send the vehicle's | | | | business. Running a fleet more efficiently can only |
| location to the server. There are three basic | | | | save money on gas costs and driver's wages. |
| components to vehicle tracking that are | | | | Some insurance companies may even give a |
| necessary to purchase: | | | | premium discount if each vehicle has a tracking |
| | | | device installed. |