| Vehicle Tracking is an essential fleet management | | | | costs and improving customer service. |
| tool which allows complex data to be accessed in | | | | Test Drive Systems - ask to see working |
| real-time via mobile assets whilst in transit | | | | systems when investigating potential suppliers and |
| between office, depot, service centre and multiple | | | | test out the software. A professional company |
| destinations. Access to mobile data and a range | | | | supports its own products and should have no |
| of advanced vehicle tracking solutions provides | | | | objections to leaving customers with live access |
| operational managers with information to | | | | to its system. |
| maximise efficiency, improve productivity and | | | | Customer References - and get in touch with |
| reduce operational cost. | | | | previous customers to enquire on the longer term |
| A high end Fleet Tracking and Telematics Service | | | | system reliability. A good place to start is their |
| Provider can deliver an extensive portfolio of | | | | website and featured testimonials and previous |
| advanced vehicle tracking solutions to national | | | | clients. |
| enterprises across a wide-range of industries. | | | | Hidden Charges - in addition to the fixed costs, |
| Visibility of mobile workforce activity provided by | | | | determine 'small print' additional monthly charges, |
| an experienced and expert GPS Vehicle Tracking | | | | almost certainly unnecessary and not referred to |
| consultancy advisor enables businesses to identify, | | | | until a later date. |
| measure and target specific areas that impact on | | | | Future Proof - the constant advances in vehicle |
| operational cost, business productivity and duty of | | | | tracking technology means both they and |
| care compliance. | | | | ultimately, your business operation need to be up |
| Live vehicle tracking is now an established | | | | to date to stay competitive. Ensure any |
| technology which, not uncommonly for a hugely | | | | investment is future-proof by checking the |
| successful product service, has been | | | | provider has a dedicated research and |
| unfortunately penetrated by unscrupulous | | | | development resource, rather than simply being a |
| operators whose only interest is the 'fast buck' at | | | | basic distributor supplier. This means you will be |
| the expense of unsuspecting and poorly informed | | | | able to upgrade the system as when required |
| clients. | | | | during the contract period |
| Like most major commercial investments, it is | | | | Support and Maintenance - absolutely vital is |
| imperative to do your homework first and obtain | | | | access to a dedicated technical support team. |
| the correct advice and genuine information from | | | | Many smaller providers are unable or unwilling to |
| the commercial vehicle tracking industry | | | | provide this level of support and this may reflect |
| professionals. Investment in a major vehicle | | | | in the pricing. Select a provider that offers a |
| tracking solution represents a commitment to a | | | | system warranty that lasts the length of the |
| trusted service that understands your specific | | | | contract and takes technical responsibility for |
| needs and building a relationship integral to the | | | | every aspect of the system's operation. Some |
| business operation. | | | | providers buy hardware and software from third |
| Here are some of the essential items that should | | | | party suppliers and liability issues can arise in the |
| go top of your list when planning on introducing a | | | | event of a technical problem. Ensure a preferred |
| vehicle tracking system to your transport | | | | provider offers free software and mapping |
| operations: | | | | updates. |
| Reputation - consider whether a provider is | | | | The survival of a business dependent on having |
| reputable, financially secure, with healthy, up to | | | | up to the minute status updates of location, |
| date accounts, and a trading history of three | | | | traffic reports, ETAs and duty of care and |
| years or more. | | | | security. Procurement should begin with a |
| Added Value Products - thoroughly research the | | | | deliberate and full professional consultative process |
| available technologies and possible customisable | | | | with a view to purchasing the right premium |
| applications. A basic vehicle tracker system may | | | | quality product system, customised for their |
| be valuable but today, an array of additional fleet | | | | needs. Seeking out an established and recognised |
| management tools - from Out Of Hours vehicle | | | | telematics and vehicle tracking supplier is essential |
| alerts to idling reports - are available with the | | | | in order to ensure the desired time, time, fuel and |
| more advanced systems. These can have an | | | | service efficiency improvement and your return |
| even greater impact in considerably reducing fuel | | | | on investment. |