In today’s competitive business environment, the efficiency and accuracy of operations are paramount. For any business that relies on a fleet of vehicles, whether for deliveries, services, or transportation, the ability to manage these assets effectively is not just an advantage – it’s a necessity. This is where GPS tracking technology emerges as a transformative solution, offering real-time visibility and control that can revolutionise how businesses operate.
What is GPS Tracking and Why Does Your Fleet Need It?
At its heart, a GPS tracking system is a small device that uses satellite signals to pinpoint the exact location of a person, vehicle, pet, or item. These devices provide live updates, ensuring that tracking is quick and reliable. For businesses, this translates into real-time location data for their vehicles, assets, and even personnel, enabling them to act swiftly and stay informed.
The benefits of integrating GPS tracking into your operations are extensive and directly impact your bottom line and reputation:
• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: GPS tracking provides real-time data on fleet locations, which makes fleet management significantly easier. Businesses can optimise delivery schedules, reduce fuel consumption, and plan better routes, leading to increased productivity and cost savings. This real-time visibility helps identify operational weaknesses and improve them.
• Improved Safety & Security: GPS tracking significantly enhances the safety of your vehicles and drivers. By monitoring driving behaviours such as speed and harsh braking, companies can identify and address risky practices. In cases of theft, GPS trackers provide real-time location data, making theft recovery faster and easier for authorities. Alerts for unauthorised movement add an invaluable layer of security for your assets.
• Significant Cost Savings: One of the most compelling advantages is the potential for cost reduction. By optimising routes based on real-time traffic data, businesses can reduce fuel usage, lower labour costs by cutting travel time, and increase the number of jobs completed per day. Furthermore, preventing unauthorised vehicle use, reducing idling times, and improving maintenance schedules all contribute to lower operating costs.
• Optimised Route Management: Effective route management is crucial for timely deliveries and pickups. GPS tracking provides the information needed to schedule the most effective routes, accounting for variables like traffic and road closures. This reduces vehicle wear and tear and fuel consumption, while also increasing delivery predictability and customer satisfaction.
• Improved Customer Service: Customers expect timely updates and transparency. GPS tracking enables businesses to meet these expectations by providing accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) and the ability to track shipments in real-time. This builds trust and can set a business apart from its competitors.
• Boosted Driver Responsibility: Knowing that their driving behaviour is being monitored can significantly influence how drivers operate vehicles. This promotes safer driving habits, reduces the chance of accidents, and lowers maintenance expenses by decreasing vehicle wear and tear.
• Prevention of Unauthorised Usage: GPS tracking technology offers a comprehensive solution to prevent unauthorised use of company vehicles. By continuously monitoring vehicle usage, systems can detect and report any deviations from approved routes or operating hours, allowing managers to take prompt corrective action.
• Accurate Reporting and Analytics: GPS tracking generates extensive data, which is crucial for accurate reporting and analytics. This provides detailed insights into fuel consumption, route efficiency, and overall vehicle and asset management, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions that enhance performance and reduce expenses.
Boris Software: Your All-in-One Fleet Management Solution
For businesses seeking a robust fleet management software solution, Boris Software offers a comprehensive system designed to streamline operations and unlock these crucial benefits. Boris can help you oversee the condition of your vehicles, track their location (and that of your teams for safety), and ensure compliance against vehicle safety standards.
Here’s how Boris simplifies GPS tracking and fleet management:
• Real-time GPS Tracking: Boris provides GPS tracking on individual devices, contributing to lone worker safety by identifying route history and location, even when communication is lost. It complements vehicle tracking with live traffic conditions to assess distance and time to site, allowing for accurate updates to clients and partners regarding operative arrival times.
• Geo-Fencing Capabilities: You can set up geo-fencing within the Boris tracking software to create virtual boundaries for your vehicles, sales teams, or field operatives. This feature allows you to review operative site access and geographic territories between teams.
• Digital Fleet Management and PPM: Boris employs the principles of asset management to record the full specification and lifetime service history of your vehicles. Its Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) module allows you to auto-schedule MOT and servicing across your fleet, creating a cyclical maintenance system that extends vehicle lifespan and prevents unexpected breakdowns.
• Comprehensive Vehicle Safety Audits: Boris enables regular vehicle audits using bespoke app templates to monitor how drivers maintain their vehicles, log contents, and record condition during transfers. Digital forms can be supported with vehicle drawings to accurately mark up damage or areas of concern for repair and maintenance.
• Key Features for Control: The Boris fleet management software boasts attributes such as live data capture, the ability to activate/deactivate devices, online/offline status, speed and mileage traceability, and data export into Excel. Functions include categorising vehicles, customising tracking times, notifications, bespoke reporting, and date search/filter, all accessible on iOS, Android, and web browsers.
• Streamlined Operations: Ultimately, Boris cuts through paperwork and manual processes, potentially saving businesses over 10 hours a week and reducing costs by more than 20% by automating scheduling, job tracking, and report generation.
In essence, adopting a robust fleet management software like Boris is like equipping your fleet with a highly skilled air traffic controller. It provides the oversight, data, and automation needed to ensure every vehicle is where it should be, performing optimally, and contributing to the overall success and profitability of your business.
