Guide to GPS Vehicle Tracking: How to Find the Best Solution for You

A Quick Look at How GPS Vehicle Trackers Work

The principles behind GPS vehicle tracking are not as complicated as you may think. This technology has been around for decades. It combines the ability to track a vehicle’s location with a useful software interface that provides you with all the data you need. You can later use that data to make informed decisions. It’s easy to see why GPS trackers are vital to people, especially business owners.

Capturing vehicle data is performed by installing a tracking device in a certain part of the vehicle. This device has the ability to collect various types of data depending on its features. Usually, you’ll know when the engine was turned on and off and its fuel consumption for the duration of the day. All these pieces of information are matched with the location.

The captured data will be collected and sent to a software user interface, which you can access through a computer program you’ve installed. Recently, many devices are connected to cloud computing services. Users can get the information they need anywhere and anytime without using their computer at the office or home.

For fleet tracking, the solutions can either be hardwired or portable. The latter is more preferred because you can easily plug the device. On the other hand, hardwired trackers go through a more complex installation involving wires connecting to the ground, engine, and power sources of the vehicle.

How to Find the Right GPS Vehicle Tracking Device

Using a GPS vehicle tracker can offer the following benefits:

Improved Performance: Drivers, especially those working for a company, can become quite irresponsible when they know their performance is not being evaluated. With GPS monitoring, you (or the fleet manager) will know the precise location of the vehicle. You can easily check if the route to take is followed or the driver took an unnecessary trip.
Safety: Your vehicle may need assistance due to an engine breakdown or any emergency situation. With GPS tracking, you can quickly send roadside assistance so that the driver will get the help they require.
Reduced Fuel Costs: Let’s face it; you cannot control the price of gas no matter how much you want to. However, one of the biggest benefits of GPS tracking is that you can observe your fuel consumption. Trackers connected to monitoring software allow you to check fuel usage so that you can control the amount of money you spend on it. The high costs may be due to driver speeding, unauthorised use, and vehicle idling. You can change the routes to optimise driving and fuel consumption.
Theft Recovery: GPS systems are still the best tools for individuals and companies. You can get automatic alerts and other information to identify where the vehicle is. If it is stolen, you can inform authorities regarding its location to execute a quick recovery.

GPS vehicle tracking solutions are aplenty. But the right one for your needs, whether it’s for personal or business purposes, can make the device’s benefits more meaningful.

When selecting the GPS tracking system to use, there are just three things to focus on. Ask yourself the following questions:

What data regarding the vehicle and driver do I need to collect?
Do I have to track more than one vehicle? Will I use the tracking solution for an enterprise-sized fleet?
What is my budget for the GPS tracking system?

Above, it shows that you need to know your purpose for tracking, the number of vehicles to track, and how much you can afford. Answering these questions should not be difficult. Know what you need first before getting a GPS solution. After that, you can select the tracking system based on the most important functions.

A reliable GPS tracking system should offer the following features:

Real-Time Mapping: Most of the time, you want to get the location of the vehicle in real-time. That means when you check its whereabouts, it should pinpoint the exact place at that specific time. Some GPS devices have delays, which may not be a bad trait if you are aware of such a limitation. Nevertheless, it’s always best to go for a real-time tracker, such as the SU-2700 device.
Maintenance Alerts: Fleet management, for most people, is about coordinating drivers. But it’s more than that. You have to maintain several vehicles on different schedules. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep track of these schedule-based maintenance tasks due to certain reasons. For example, some of your vehicles may require regular upkeep based on time, but others may depend on engine hours and mileage. The SU-6200 is a GPS device with a reminder function sent to your email or via the app. This way, you can stay on top of service and maintenance.
Driver Dispatch: Some businesses have to dispatch drivers to a particular location. In such a case, vehicle tracking can make the process easier. Two-way communication between the driver and the office can simplify work, allowing you to send out more drivers to customers in just a short time.
Geofences: If a GPS system offers this feature, it means that you will know when the vehicle reaches a specific location. You can also use geofencing to learn if the vehicle left your facility. It enables you to set up helpful location-based alerts. You can then passively track the locations when necessary. One huge benefit of this feature is that you will be notified immediately if the vehicle goes out of the perimeter you have set beforehand. Therefore, it reduces the risk of drivers taking other routes for any purpose.
Robust Reporting: Tracking systems have reporting tools so you can monitor and identify problems that could arise in the future. You may also want to see your performance over time through analytic reports.
Ongoing Support: Whether you are a fleet manager or an individual, you need a reliable GPS system for tracking your vehicles. Unfortunately, technology can be unpredictable at times. You want a provider that sells quality systems while also giving ongoing technical support when you need assistance with troubleshooting.

Simply Unified offers both personal and commercial GPS fleet tracking solutions. Vehicle tracking can be streamlined into one tool that’s ready for installation and use. That way, you can make better decisions based on real-time data. Tell us about your vehicle tracking needs by filling out this form, and we’ll give you a quote for free.

Paul Delaney

Owner of Simply Unified

Paul’s history with technology and communication products dates back to the 1980s when mobile phones initially launched. At that point, the phones were large brick-like objects that could make and receive phone calls.

Paul became familiar with GPS and tracking systems while collaborating with General Motors and OnStar. Paul realised that by improving tracking capabilities and linking various devices, there would be a smoother and a better functioning network for clients.