As is often the case with any new technology, there are also a lot of misconceptions about GPS tracking used in fleet management and how it actually works. For field service technicians and remote workers, the idea of having GPS software track their every move might seem a little, well, invasive.
At the same time, there are business owners who question if its worth the time and effort to install and learn how to use it. If you want to stay competitive and improve profitability, it certainly is.
Below, we debunk the most common misconceptions about GPS tracking used in fleet management.
Trust Issues by Drivers
One of the biggest misconceptions about GPS tracking is that field service technicians often think that they are being monitored too closely. Or worse, that their managers don’t trust them.
The fact of the matter is that GPS tracking in fleet management isn’t about trust or monitoring your employees’ every move. Really, it provides greater driver safety, improved customer service, and reduces overall fleet operating costs. GPS tracking also provides reliable data when it comes to traffic tickets or customer disputes.
Once field service technicians understand why GPS technology is important, they embrace it.
GPS Tracking Is the Same as Cellphone Tracking
Smartphones come with pretty impressive GPS tracking features. But mobile devices do not provide the kind of useful, actionable information that fleet managers need: real-time vehicle location, engine status, mileage, fuel consumption, history of stops and stop times, or speeding patterns.
If anything, smartphones and handheld devices are an entirely ineffective way to manage field service technicians or any mobile workforce. That’s because they can be turned off, left at home, lost, forgotten, dropped, or damaged.
Even when smartphones are working properly, they are usually on the person, meaning it tracks your employee, not your mobile assets.
GPS Reduces Driver Productivity and Efficiency
There is a misconception that GPS reduces both driver productivity and efficiency. This is a fallacy! GPS fleet management systems require no effort on the driver’s part.
The GPS tracking starts as soon as the driver starts the vehicle and automatically collects and transmits the data while they drive.
Real-Time GPS Tracking Is Time Consuming
Instead of being time consuming, GPS tracking for fleet management actually saves businesses a lot of time. That’s because GPS tracking software gathers important data, analyzes it, and sends it to the fleet manager in real-time.
On top of that, GPS tracking systems can be customized and automated, allowing you to set alerts that are received on mobile devices or via email. And because it is available in real-time, there is no need to keep paper logs or manually prepare call sheets, etc.
GPS Is Hard to Install and Use
Adopting new technology and software usually comes with unwanted headaches of learning how to install it and use it. That isn’t the case with GPS tracking used in fleet management. It’s easy to install and very user-friendly.
Installation is a breeze, just plug in and play. And the interface is easy to navigate. If you do have questions, we provide all the support you need to take advantage of the GPS tracking capabilities.
Small Businesses Can’t Afford GPS Tracking
GPS tracking isn’t only for businesses with large fleets or hundreds of employees. Even businesses with three or four vehicles can experience immediate benefits of using GPS tracking. For starters, a GPS tracking system can help identify inefficiencies that are costing your business thousands of dollars: excess overtime, side trips, inefficient routing, excess engine idling, etc. It costs more for a small business to not implement a GPS tracking system.
GPS tracking can also make small businesses nimbler. If something unexpected comes up, you can track the real-time location of a field service technician and send or reroute them to the required location.
Thanks to the savings that come from overtime, fuel expenses, lower insurance premiums, and reduced vehicle maintenance, most small businesses see a return on their investment in GPS tracking systems in just a few months.
FSM, America’s Ultimate Field Service Provider
GPS tracking is crucial for small- and medium-sized businesses that use field service technicians or employ remote workers. An advanced GPS tracking system monitors the drivers’ behaviours, provides real-time data, reduces overall fleet costs, and sends alerts during emergency situations—all of which can help small businesses be more competitive, flexible, and improve profitability.
If you want your fleet and overall business to run as efficiently and effectively as possible, contact FSM.
Using the best technologies for web and mobile, our enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and GPS tracking for fleet management helps businesses automate and streamline their organizations’ complex business operations. It’s easy to install, customizable, and easy to use, and was developed specifically with small- and medium-sized businesses in mind.
In addition to workflow automation and fleet management being entirely scalable and adaptable to the needs of your company, you also don’t need to purchase expensive hardware, hire additional IT staff, or purchase expensive service plans.
Our software is a complete office management system that lets you put your business on autopilot, anywhere and everywhere, so that you can focus on what you do best—grow your business.
To learn more about TFP Canada and how our cloud-based enterprise resource planning software can help automate your business, improve fleet management, and reduce costs, contact us at 716-445-0790 or by email at [email protected]
By Steve Facey
Steven Facey is collaborative leader with over 20 years of experience in retail, sales, marketing, operations, and technology. He believes in recognizing strengths and coaching to higher levels of performance, so that the right people are aligned to “WIN”.