3 Steps to Selecting a GPS Tracking System - CLICK HERE

Follow these steps to get started on the right foot

1. Define your issues. Identify the top 3 issues you MUST address with technology and then the issues you would like to address. Limiting the top issues to 3 ensures you will receive a strong return on investment but enables you to make a reasonably quick decision. Many customers miss their return on investment many times over while trying to make a decision. If a system does not address your top 3 issues you can quickly move to the next.
2. The second decision is determine if you need live tracking, passive tracking or a combination of the two.
3. The third decision is to determine if a special technology is needed such as two-way messaging, telematics, maintenance tracking, electronic on-board recording device, dispatching, routing and scheduling, equipment trackers or asset trackers.

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  Live Vehicle Tracking

  • Live tracking systems report the vehicles position while in the field, typically using cellular network. Some systems offer additional information and services such as two-way messaging and dispatching using a consumer device such as a Garmin. The VT-2200 and the GO Series both offer live GPS tracking with optional messaging and dispatching. The next consideration is the size and complexity of your fleet. The needs of a small to mid-size fleet are different than that of a mid to enterprise class fleet. The VT-2200 provides an excellent small to mid-size fleet platform that is very easy to learn due to it's intuitive interface. The GO Series is designed for the largest fleet management scenarios with a focus on safety, telematics and customization.

         Pros & Cons

  • The advantage to a live tracking system is you can see the vehicles position while it is in the field. This allows for dynamic dispatching, vehicle recovery.and monitoring vehicles in remote areas that do not return to a central office on a regular basis. You can also add dispatching, EOBRD, two-way messaging and dispatching to a live tracking system
  
  

  Passive Vehicle Tracking

  • Passive tracking systems collect the same GPS tracking data but store it on the GPS device until the vehicle returns to a central location, such as your office, at which time it downloads the days data. 

         Pros & Cons

  • The advantage to a live tracking system is you can see the vehicles position while it is in the field. This allows for dynamic dispatching, vehicle recovery.and monitoring vehicles in remote areas that do not return to a central office on a regular basis. You can also add dispatching, EOBRD, two-way messaging and dispatching to a live tracking system.

  Give us a call and an experienced account manager will consult with you to narrow down the selections. 855-300-0527. Call Now!

  
  

  Common Mistakes

  1. Unclear definition of business issues you are trying to address. The analogy is that you don't buy a computer without knowing what you want to use it for. You need to ensure you have enough RAM, hard drive space, software and a proper monitor. The same is true with a tracking system. Know what you want so when looking at various systems you can quickly determine if the GPS system has the features you must have and a few of the features you would like to have. 
  
  
  2. Don't try to mix the best features of various GPS devices and then find one that does it all, it doesn't exist. This is especially true in municipal RFPs. Government agencies often get advice from multiple vendors and then issue an RFP with requirements for the best of each system. This leads to confusion and indecision because no one system does it all. By defining the top 3 features you must have and then features you would like to have you can move through the decision making process at a reasonable speed. 
  
  
  3. Enterprise class fleets should hire an independent fleet management consultant to guide the process which by contract has no financial interest in the final outcome. Many consultants get referral fees or have former relationships with GPS vendors that cloud their judgement. If you are a smaller fleet operator, working with a GPS vendor that have multiple options helps to ensure they will guide you to the right solution. Single product GPS companies must try to convince you their system is the solutions to any issue you present.
  
  
  4. Don't over buy and get a system that is much more robust than your requirements. Think about what you need in the next 2-3 years and buy a system to meet those needs. Your ROI will come in the first 3 months so reinvesting every 36 months is a good value as technology changes and as your ability to use the information changes. Orkin Pest Control replaces their system every 5 years on over 5,500 vehicles. Read more about Orkin using telematics.
  
  
  5. Don't be cheap. You get what you pay for. There is a certain amount of money required to run a GPS telematics business, just like your business. Do you really want to buy from a company that has very thin margins and cannot afford support or value added services. This is a business investment and as such you need services after the sale to help you improve your operation. 
  
  
  6. If you can afford it, buy it. Leasing or a monthly service fee that includes equipment is far more expensive over the long run. What once cost you $200 will cost you $400 with an all inclusive service plan. If you can't afford to buy it, lease it with a $1 buy out. Whatever you do make the investment since the ROI is so high and short. Best in class companies save about $2,500 annually per vehicle with telematics.
  
  
  7. Find a company that has been around a while, has experience with fleets your size and has more substance than an online shopping cart. Who do you call if you have an issue? How do you get training? Can you reach more than one person when you call the office or is it the same person on their cell phone? A cool website is not an indication of a viable partner.