Fleet Management - Vehicle Tracking

For a business that operates even a handful of vehicles, there can be some very significant benefits from implementing some form of fleet management. The management effort involved in purchasing, keeping track of, and maintaining these vehicles can be a time-consuming process, and for large fleets, it can be complex. Listed below are some benefits of implementing a fleet management vehicle tracking system:

Being able to track your vehicles

The core capability of any fleet management system is to be able to track all your vehicles at any given time. This is done with the use of a GPS system or, alternatively, a cellular triangulation system.

By being able to track your vehicles, you can immediately see if they are where they are supposed to be and if they're on-time. For Fleet Management, vehicle tracking is core.

Location data can be transmitted to a central database in real-time.

Access to current and real-time positional information will also allow you to improve customer service by enabling you to keep customers informed as to any changes to delivery or arrival times as they occur. If there are any delays, the GPS fleet management software will alert you right away and you can inform your customers about it.

Early access to vehicle diagnostics

Some fleet management systems, such as the Zest : trak Commander, have vehicle diagnostic capabilities. These connect to the vehicles own on board computer systems, or the CAN-bus, and enable you can keep track of information such as mileage and fuel consumption. You can even profile your drivers using the information from the vehicle tracking system and the on-board computer.

The Zest : trak Commander can also be connected with the vehicle's engine diagnostics port and can be programmed to alert you when any problem occurs. The software can also be programmed to alert you after a certain number of miles are clocked on the vehicle, so that it can be sent for servicing and maintenance.

Enhanced Security and control

The more advanced fleet management systems, such as the Zest : trak Commander, have a security component that can remotely control your vehicles while stopped. This gives you the ability to disable your vehicles if they are not in operation. This is particularly useful when vehicles are stolen or taken of course by rogue drivers. It also helps to reduce the chance of lost or stolen goods.

Remote vehicle disabling systems allow you to disable an engine, prevent vehicle movement, and stop or slow down a moving vehicle from far away. You can decelerate a vehicle by downshifting, limiting throttle capability, or bleeding air from the braking system.