According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), over half of all fleets in the United States trucking business (49%) operate more than 100 power units. When we examine regional enterprises with huge fleets of small delivery and service vehicles, we soon reach thousands of operators who must manage a vast network of assets. To keep operations operating effectively these days, fleet management technologies with GPS tracking are required.
Fleet tracking has taken off since the advent of satellite GPS technology, which provides tracking data as well as cloud computing services, which has streamlined everything into a single user-friendly SaaS platform.
As a result, GPS fleet tracking has evolved into an essential tool for managing a company’s automotive assets. The top GPS fleet tracking devices enable monitoring of your vehicles, maintenance management and tracking, status reporting, fuel efficiency, and driving behavior. Furthermore, the information acquired can help fulfill federal and state compliance obligations.
Read on to learn more about GPS fleet tracking and some of the best tracking devices for trucks available in the market in 2023.
What Is GPS Fleet Tracking?
GPS fleet tracking is a method of employing telematics to provide deeper insight into fleet operations to fleet managers, business owners, and business executives. Fleet managers may acquire real-time information on their fleets using a combination of software and hardware sensors to make data-driven business choices.
GPS fleet tracking collects data from fleet vehicles and assets using telematics technology. This data is generally collected in near real-time (actively) using a vehicle tracking device linked to a vehicle’s OBD port or connected to the vehicle’s wiring harness, making it more helpful for fleet managers and company owners. GPS fleet monitoring system data can be utilized to make strategic fleet operations choices.
The bulk of fleet tracking systems provides the same full services based on the installation of hardware inside automobiles for data collecting. This data can then be shown on a single dashboard of software to record, monitor, and manage the vehicle.
Typically, this will include the vehicle’s position, as well as exact information supplied by GPS data. Furthermore, it can offer feedback on how the automobile is used and indicate poor driving patterns such as speeding, harsh braking, or excessive acceleration that could prematurely wear out the car or even harm neighboring traffic or people.
Additional data sets are frequently collected, such as fuel economy, time tracking, route monitoring to aid with delivery predictions and other corporate activities, engine diagnostics, and the truck driver’s hours of service for ELD compliance. This information can be supplied at predetermined intervals or in real-time bursts. In the event of an issue, email or SMS warnings can even be issued directly from the car for genuine real-time alerting.
What are the Benefits of GPS Tracking for Fleets?
A good fleet tracking solution can assist enhance fleet operations in several ways:
- Helps lower long-term operational costs- While some firms may be concerned about the cost of deploying GPS tracking technologies, these systems will pay for themselves in a very short amount of time. Organizations can reduce operating expenditures by increasing efficiency and improving asset usage with a fleet tracking system, while also reducing resource waste.
- Compliance with regulations- Whether it’s hours of service (HOS), the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), or one of the myriad other rules your fleet must follow, GPS fleet tracking software can automate and digitize the compliance process.
- Helps create accountability among employees- Clear performance metrics from the GPS tracking system will enable the acknowledgment of exceptional staff while also exposing individuals who may require more training. As a result, the organization is one in which all team members can take responsibility for the task being done.
- Provides improved safety for employees and members of the public- By giving improved insight into how fleet vehicles are utilized daily, an integrated driver safety system that has GPS tracking, can assure safer driving conditions, reduce liability risk, and safeguard corporate reputation.
What Are the Different Types of GPS Fleet Tracking Devices?
All fleet tracking systems need the installation of a tiny telematics device. There are several devices with varying degrees of capability. The three most frequent devices are as follows:
- Self-installed devices- These are plug-in devices that are simple and easy to install and transport among vehicles in a fleet. When the data being gathered isn’t necessary for compliance, when vehicle turnover is significant, or when a big number of rental vehicles are used for operations, businesses pick these devices.
- Managed install device- These devices are hardwired into automobiles and are tamper resistant for further protection. These devices are frequently used when data collection is essential for compliance or is vital to corporate operations. Hardwired devices are also more connected to peripheral devices and sensors, giving users more detailed insights into operational performance.
- Phone-based tracking- These solutions make use of applications that transform a smartphone into a tracking device. These solutions provide limited sensor and vehicle connection and are typically favored when the primary business emphasis is either managing workflow (such as task dispatch and POD) or tracking staff positions away from the vehicle.
Best Fleet Tracking Devices for Trucks In 2023
1.Matrack Fleet Tracking
Matrack tracking devices are one of the best and cheapest available in the market. The starting price of this tracking device is only $7 per month with a custom reporting feature. Matrack GPS trackers will help you stay connected with your vehicle and assets 24/7, with real-time Tow alerts, ignition on/off, low battery, speed alerts, etc.
The device also provides accurate ETAs and helps to keep tabs on your workforce and equipment. It also has a new easy-to-use dashboard with user-friendly UI with IOS and Android apps. There are integrated dashboards in Matrack Fleet Trackers that will show your drivers to stop at the gas stations that have the lowest price in the neighborhood.
2. Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect is a top GPS fleet tracking technology for clients in specialized industries. Firms with a more focused specification will appreciate the great amount of customization it provides. For example, you may change “vehicle” to “crane” in flexible labeling to match industry-specific terms. Verizon Connect provides both plug-and-play and hardwired tracking devices, with the latter requiring specialist installation, as well as fuel card tracking and integrated video tracking.
Along with this, it provides a few unique features that may be especially beneficial for medium fleets, such as tools for different time zones and languages, bespoke security levels with limitless users, and customized automated scripts and alarms. It is the only platform that shows height and weight limits on certain roadways.
Using Verizon Connect’s numerous reports is an excellent approach to improving your fleet. You can view historical fleet statistics for up to two years. As your fleet grows, this might give useful patterns and projections. If your team needs assistance learning the various tools accessible through Verizon Connect, live training is available.
3. Samsara GPS Tracker
Samsara’s comprehensive yet easy platform will appeal to startups and SMEs because small firms have limited resources and time to master sophisticated new systems. This company provides industry-specific programs tailored to your specific requirements and is considered one of the most powerful GPS tracking options.
It allows you to pick the gadgets you require to monitor your fleet by providing one of the most extensive collections of tracking hardware and accessories. Samsara is one of the few providers that provides real-time monitoring and tracking, as well as traffic and weather overlays. It is unusual in that it allows drivers to compare planned vehicle routes to actual routes taken, and they can submit everything from fuel receipts to images of delivered packages.
Samsara’s programmable interface includes all of the capabilities you need to track your fleet and stay in compliance with requirements like the ELD mandate, IFTA, and DVIR. You can monitor engine diagnostics, receive real-time code notifications, and arrange proactive maintenance on your cars.
4. Bouncie GPS Tracker
Bouncie connects to your vehicle’s OBD connection and provides regular geofencing as well as real-time alarms for speed, hard braking, and acceleration. It also aids with the management of petrol levels, vehicle maintenance, and normal car-related activities such as yearly emissions checks.
The gadget also records and retains your mileage, which is a useful function if you need to track mileage for business purposes. Bouncie’s tracking services are only $8 per month. It is inexpensive in terms of cost, but it does not need a long-term commitment. If you track three cars, you will receive a special discounted pricing of $20 per month for all three.
5. Teletrac Navman
Teletrac provides a detailed overview of driving history as well as the ability to modify driver behavior. This is accomplished through a variety of features such as a scoreboard system, automated alerts for unsafe driving, and reports to analyze travels or individual occurrences.
Teletrac is one of the world’s biggest fleet solution providers, with over 25 years of GPS tracking experience. It began in the United Kingdom in 1988 as Trafficmaster, providing drivers with road congestion information. Teletrac merged with Navman Wireless, a Taiwanese maker of GPS navigation devices, in 2015. In 2020, it will broaden its offerings to include connected solutions, solidifying its position in advanced fleet management.
Teletrac Navman now monitors almost five hundred thousand cars across six continents, including its US headquarters in California. The price starts from $25 per month.
6. Azuga
Once you’ve defined a route with many stops, Azuga will propose an optimum route. Optimization will reorganize the stops to provide a faster route, which is useful for fleet managers looking to save fuel and driver resources. Azuga is a complete fleet telematics solution that was created with driver safety in mind. Azuga is regarded as one of the most effective tracking systems.
There are various tools present in their FleetMobile connection that measure safe driving and speeding to build an overall driver score, as well as the possibility to add services like vehicle health monitoring, navigation, tracking, parked vehicle location, and third-party apps. The cost of the device starts from $25 to $35 per month for one vehicle.
7. Motive
Motive is a simple GPS tracking solution to set up and use. The use of plug-and-play hardware makes it simple to get your team up and running. Instead of hardwiring a device into each car, ELDs may be quickly inserted into vehicle diagnostic ports. Although Motive devices are simple to install, the firm provides many installation and configuration manuals that provide step-by-step instructions on how to correctly install each device.
Once your devices are installed and linked, you can easily manage and monitor your fleets, including adding Pro Tips to video captured on the Motive driver app’s Coaching page. The dashboard is user-friendly, and many consumers say it’s simple to use. It consolidates fleet information such as driver location and performance, hours of service (HOS), safety problems, fuel consumption, vehicle service history, and maintenance reminders into a single spot. This is refreshed in real-time rather than every 30 seconds. Motive also includes in-app instant messaging with automated, interruption-free alerts.
8. Jobber
Due to the lack of required long-term commitments, Jobber is our preferred GPS fleet-tracking solution for businesses seeking flexibility and independence. It’s especially useful if you do occasional service jobs and just need the platform for a brief period. Through FleetSharp, Jobber also provides both hardwired and plug-and-play tracking devices, allowing you to select the device that best meets your needs.
The Jobber platform features a CRM for tracking client information, a self-service center for customers to approve bids and pay payments, online booking capabilities, and two-way customer text messaging. Jobber offers some distinct characteristics. There’s also a tipping option that allows app users to directly reward their suppliers and personnel.
9. NexTraq
NexTraq is the best GPS fleet tracking software with safety features. There are hardwired and plug-and-play tracking devices available, all of which can support NexTraq’s fleet visibility and driver safety capabilities. Because the devices are tamper-proof, you can be confident that they will be secure and accurate. NexTraq’s distinguishing features include customizable refresh intervals (from 30 seconds to 15 minutes) and the MobileBlock service, which locks users’ cellphones and tablets while in motion to prevent texting, online surfing, or gaming while driving.
Video recordings from dashcams provide fleet managers with an up-close view of their team’s driving performance and issues. If a driver participates in risky conduct, such as harsh braking or quick acceleration, they can get a simple one-second notice to urge them to be more cautious.
In addition to its safety features, NexTraq offers a full fleet tracking solution in three languages, including routing and dispatching, vehicle maintenance tracking, and ELD compliance. Drivers and supervisors have their applications, with the latter providing direct communication and vehicle inspection checklists to assure safety.
10. Quartix
Quartix, founded in 2001, is a prominent telematics solution that assists businesses in lowering fuel expenses and improving fleet efficiency. Quartix is a good choice for fleets looking for simplicity, with short 12-month contracts, three inexpensive price levels, and a user-friendly UI.
However, the software’s unique CO2 emissions reporting, which comes as part of its fuel management function, is the most outstanding feature. In this day and age, fleet firms can’t be too careful about the number of CO2 emissions they emit, making Quartix reporting an invaluable tool to have on their side. The trip reporter aspect of the system is also wonderful since it offers insight into where each driver has been during the day, which aids in the prevention of false insurance claims.
FAQs
How does GPS fleet tracking work?
Fleet tracking tracks the present status and activities of all monitored assets, including cars, equipment, and personnel, using global positioning systems or cellular towers. This data is transferred back to a cloud-based software program, where it is evaluated and displayed in real-time on an easy-to-understand dashboard.
How accurate is GPS tracking?
GPS fleet tracking is incredibly precise and provides real-time information about your fleet since it employs satellite technology. These gadgets are precise to three meters in terms of location information. When operating in places where service is unavailable, the system can save data on the device and upload it when service is restored to protect data integrity.
What type of vehicles can be tracked with GPS fleet tracking devices?
Land-based vehicles that may be tracked with GPS fleet monitoring include automobiles, vans, trucks, trailers, construction equipment, and unpowered assets.
How to access fleet tracking software?
Modern fleet tracking systems are cloud-based and may be accessed using a web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari. These cloud-based technologies also allow you to access your critical data from nearly any location with an internet connection.
Related Posts
