Commentary
Data is a crucial resource that enables fleet managers to streamline their internal processes and GPS technology is a key part of the equation. GPS solutions transmit data in near real-time so fleet managers can reduce overhead costs and improve overall efficiency. Using TechValidate, we recently surveyed fleet managers across the country to determine some of the benefits gained from using GPS fleet tracking solutions.
71% of fleet managers decreased their payroll costs
Inaccurate logs can lead to payroll spikes and violations of trust between fleet owners and drivers. GPS fleet tracking solutions allow fleet managers to monitor and report all hours of service, maintaining mutual trust, helping enforce the company’s policy and the need to estimate hours.
57% of fleet managers reduced fuel costs by reducing personal use of company vehicles
Employees who use company vehicles to run personal errands increase fuel consumption and add excessive mileage to their vehicles. This habit also adds regular wear to company vehicles. GPS fleet tracking help resolve this issue by allowing fleet managers to discern personal use from company use.
100% of fleet managers reduced fuel costs by 10% or more
Imagine a driver eating on their lunch break while running the engine and air conditioning. Such unnecessary idling can cost businesses significantly. In addition to fuel consumption, fuel card fraud is another potential risk for fleet managers. Fortunately, fleet managers can integrate fuel cards with GPS fleet tracking solutions to determine if a company vehicle was at the pump during the card’s usage, or if the fuel pumped into the vehicle exceeded the vehicle’s tank size.
83% of fleet managers improved overall safe driving habits
Drivers who engage in unsafe habits such as harsh braking, hard cornering and speeding jeopardize their safety and the safety of others on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 3,986 fatalities in large truck accidents in 2016. GPS fleet tracking solutions help ensure that fleets are reaching their destinations as efficiently and safely as possible.
61% of fleet managers reduced vehicle maintenance costs by 10% or more
Not adhering to a maintenance schedule and prolonging, for example, a tire inspection that leads to a breakdown can be both expensive and time-consuming. Through GPS fleet tracking solutions, fleet managers can schedule maintenance reminders based on date, mileage and even hours of service.
65% of fleet managers reduced operating costs by 10% or more
Once upon a time, payroll systems were dictated by paper timesheets and manual entries. As a result, even the slightest miscalculations led to increased overhead. There is still a lot of room for improvement when it comes to digitalization of working practices. In fact, 1 in 4 small trucking firms missed last month’s federally mandated electronic logging date. This means a number of companies are still manually inputting their hours of service, remaining prone to payroll and time sheet errors. GPS fleet tracking solutions act as a ‘checks and balances’ in near real-time by helping reduce errors in the payroll system and time sheets. This allows fleet managers to focus on their primary goal: growing the business.
73% of fleet managers saved money by maintaining constant visibility of fleet location for better routing and dispatching
Traffic is a constant issue that prolongs drivers’ hours of service and decreases customer satisfaction. GPS fleet tracking solutions offer a number of benefits for fleet managers, drivers and customers. Fleet managers can monitor their drivers’ routes and estimate fuel consumption. Meanwhile, drivers can identify the most efficient routes for their assignments, providing customers accurate information about arrival and delivery times.
66% of fleet managers received a positive ROI in less than a year
Like drivers, technicians who service company vehicles must also be billed properly. By using GPS fleet tracking solutions, fleet managers can potentially eliminate invoice discrepancies by accurately validating the start and finish times for technicians’ assignments.
74% of fleet managers who used reporting solutions saved their businesses time and money
Creating reports and analyzing company metrics can be a frustrating and tedious process. These tasks can require considerable time and effort to complete, which affects delivery deadlines. GPS fleet tracking solutions help streamline such activities by consolidating data and graphics into a single dashboard or report.
As the survey results demonstrate, manual processes hinder fleets from operating at their maximum capacity. GPS fleet tracking solutions, however, enable fleet managers to get the data they need to eliminate inefficiencies from their business processes and propel their fleet management into the modern age.
Todd Ewing is director of product management at Fleetmatics, A Verizon Company. Fleetmatics is a global provider of mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). To learn more about Fleetmatics, visit https://www.fleetmatics.com/.
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