1. Our Drivers will Think We Don’t Trust Them
One of the biggest worries when it comes to implementing GPS fleet tracking is that your drivers will feel they are being unfairly watched, or that they are not trusted as faithful employees. While some feel that GPS tracking brings a negative element into manager and employee relationships, the truth is that GPS fleet tracking provides greater driver safety, improved customer service quality, and overall reduced fleet operating costs. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with trust.
GPS fleet tracking improves dispatch and routing and benefits employees by giving them the ability to complete more jobs per day. This typically means there will be more money in everyone’s pockets at the end of the day. When the company is making money, this can translate to job security.
Also, GPS fleet tracking can act as a reliable source of evidence to dispute traffic tickets or customer complaints. Once employees understand why the technology is necessary, they typically embrace the many benefits it has for them.
2. Managing GPS Fleet Tracking Software is a Pain
Some fleet managers worry that using the software and analyzing the data will take more time than they have. Most quality GPS tracking software allows managers to manage by exception. By simply setting up scheduled reports and real-time alerts, fleet managers can have the information that they need, when they need it, without having to log into the software.
Many fleet managers have found that GPS fleet tracking software actually saves them time compiling fleet reports, dispatching vehicles, and managing drivers.
3. GPS Tracking Software is not Worth the Money
Many fleet managers have trouble justifying the costs of GPS fleet tracking software. They focus on the upfront and monthly costs, but fail to recognize the cost savings and ROI realized from the use of the software. GPS fleet tracking saves money on fuel, can reduce overtime costs, improve preventive maintenance scheduling, and increase productivity. These are all costly areas that are a big concern to fleet managers.
Some GPS fleet tracking companies will give you a trial of the product to let you see the savings/ROI for yourself before purchasing. Once fleet managers focus on potential savings, the financial decision to implement GPS fleet tracking software should be easy to make. If you can decrease costs and increase revenue, why wouldn’t you?
4. Cell Phone Tracking is the Same as GPS Tracking
Some believe they can track their fleet well enough using cell phones/handhelds.
Though useful as communication tools, cell phones/handhelds cannot provide information most useful to fleet managers: real-time vehicle location, engine status, history of stops and stop times, and other valuable data, such as mileage, fuel consumption, or speeding patterns.
Cell phones and handhelds can be turned off easily, not carried in the vehicle, dropped/damaged, etc. Even when cell phones are functioning correctly, they track people rather than mobile assets.
5. All GPS Fleet Tracking Software is the Same
Although all GPS fleet tracking solutions will provide location, basic speed/idling data, alerts and geofence/landmark information, better GPS fleet tracking platforms will provide deeper data analysis in an easy to use interface. It is important when comparing GPS fleet tracking software that the basic features are covered but there are also advanced features like: maintenance scheduling, fuel card reports, Garmin integration, and mobile apps that add additional value to the solution. The most significant ROI will be seen if your GPS fleet tracking provider has robust, but easy to use software that provides unlimited access to historical data, highly customizable interface, and world class customer service.
Once you, as well as your employees, understand that GPS fleet tracking is intended to benefit your company from the bottom up, you will be on the right path for a strong and profitable future.
