Vehicle tracking systems evolved from their initial use of providing the “real time” location of fleets to a tool businesses can use to monitor employee activities due to technological advances in vehicle tracking software. Today’s fleet tracking software records driving speeds, time spent at locations, and alerts the company when a vehicle waivers from its assigned route or sector.

Companies such as Vehicle Tracking Solutions, Fleetmatics, and Advanced Tracking Technologies, Inc, offer GPS tracking systems and can help you in identify solutions you wish to receive from GPS tracking software and assist you in finding a vehicle tracking device that will address those needs.

Treat GPS vehicle tracking companies the same as any other company you conduct business with. Research vehicle tracking companies to obtain information regarding their reputation and past clients:

1. Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints are on file.

2. See if there are any online customer reviews.

3. Ask for references of existing and previous clients to contact.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to consultants to help make decisions about the vehicle tracking software that's right for you

Having a consultant perform a site visit allows them to observe firsthand how your company operates. Through observation, they may identify other operating procedures that can benefit from vehicle tracking tools.

I recommend: Vehicle Tracking Solutions, Fleetmatics and Advanced Tracking Technologies provide GPS vehicle tracking systems designed to provide vehicle tracking systems to fleets of all sizes.

Research companies that offer vehicle tracking systems that you think may benefit your company

Testimonials not only provide information regarding a company's customer service and success stories customers have achieved, but they also provide a vehicle tracking industry overview by showing how businesses use vehicle tracking systems in various applications which may be beneficial to their own operations.

I recommend: GPS Insight and Vehiclepath are two companies who market GPS tracking systems and provide online testimonials for potential clients to review.

Verify the vehicle tracker you are going to employ is not subject to FCC regulations

Certain GPS tracking systems are subject to the FCC's Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Part 90 pertaining to Private Land Mobile Radio Services.

I recommend: One should ask their vendor if the GPS vehicle tracker they are going to invest in is subject to FCC regulations. Should the GPS system fall under FCC regulations, you can retain an attorney specializing in telecommunications law or contact a consultant such as Spectrum License Consultants, Inc. to provide you support with FCC licensing. One can also review the Private Land Mobile Radio Services regulations to gain a better understanding of the FCC’s regulations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Conducting onsite visits to companies in your line of work that use vehicle tracking systems for their fleet management and other operations allow you to see firsthand the pros and cons of specific GPS tracking software.

If your small business has a fleet of cars, trucks or vans to deliver your product or service, tracking vehicles’ movements when they are away from home base is essential. But vehicle tracking is not only about monitoring the activity of your drivers and workers. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, excessive idling can waste up to 800 gallons of fuel yearly for the average truck. Speeding vehicles can waste another 200 gallons, according to Navtrak, a vehicle tracking firm.

When done properly, a good tracking system can help:

1. Lower fuel expenses and become more efficient in delivering your product or service.
2. Monitor employees’ billing time and location. Document start and stop times, as well as the number of stops by address.
3. Verify gas charges and assist with maintenance of the fleet.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy GPS equipment

If you have only a couple of vehicles to track or you are not ready to commit to a customized commercial global positioning system (GPS), buy GPS equipment off the shelf. Look for portable GPS monitors that include preprogrammed data such as points of interest and live traffic reports.

I recommend: The GPS Store sells new and remanufactured models of popular brands Garmin, Magellan and TomTom. Rent GPS units for 10-day increments from BrickHouse Security.

Get the right software

Monitoring your business vehicle activity with software gives clear data on where your business can cut costs or increase revenues on delivery and service routes.

I recommend: ManagerPlus offers an asset management software called Fleet + Transportation which detects early signs of vehicle problems, and monitors fuel and oil consumption. GPS Fleet Solutions sells eight solutions scaled for different reporting needs.

Customize your system

Having your GPS tracking system custom designed ensures the right type of vehicle tracking for your business. When employed properly, a customized GPS tracking system can give your employees more information that could result in increased sales.

I recommend: Navtrak combines GPS, the Internet and wireless technology. @Road specializes in 'mobile resource management,' which includes GPS tracking and monitoring.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check the quality of the GPS navigation monitor. The color screen should be easy to view in both bright sunlight and low light conditions.
• •  The better systems will offer multiple ways to arrive at a destination.
• •  Live traffic reporting should be included.
• •  Review the capability of a system to quickly upload and update data.

GPS vehicle tracking systems provide geographical locations by utilizing a constellation of 24 to 32 satellites located 12,000 miles above the earth that transmit signals to the earth’s surface where they are received by GPS receivers. When the GPS receiver acquires the signal, it determines the geographic location through triangulation.

GPS tracking systems are beneficial to businesses. Besides providing directions from one location to another, vehicle tracking software can assist businesses with their fleet and route management in addition to monitoring their employee’s activities and driving habits. GPS tracking software can also aide law enforcement in recovering stolen vehicles.

Vehicle tracking basics to consider before investing in a system include:

1. How much are you willing to invest in fleet tracking software?

2. Do your needs require “active” vehicle tracking systems which provides you with real time data, or that of a “passive’ vehicle tracking device which allows you to download data at a later time.

3. Have you asked employees if they would like specific features included on the vehicle tracking equipment? This will help prevent the investment in vehicle tracking tools that do not meet the needs or have no value to your employees.

Action Steps
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Determine if you want a 'real time' or 'passive' vehicle tracking system

If you need to know the exact location of your vehicles at any given time, you will want to purchase a 'real time' vehicle tracker. On the other hand, if you were only interested in where a vehicle traveled during the day, you would want to opt for a 'passive' tracking system.

I recommend: Track Your Truck is a web-based application offering rugged GPS systems that provide additional features in addition to “real time” vehicle tracking system. Mobile GPS Online markets an economical “passive” vehicle tracker, GPSTrack, which provides some features offered by “real time” vehicle trackers.

Consult GPS vehicle tracking system distributors and suppliers learn the vehicle tracking basics

There are a number of vehicle tracking systems available online and in stores and deciding which vehicle tracking system is best for your business can be overwhelming. Discussing your needs with distributors and suppliers of vehicle tracking systems will allow you to purchase the system that meets your requirements.

I recommend: FleetMatics and GPS Insight are two vehicle tracking distributors whose websites provide product testimonials from existing users that one could contact to see what the user likes and dislikes about the product they are using.

Get insurance discounts for utilizing vehicle tracking system

Some insurance companies regard vehicle tracking systems to be an anti-theft device and offer discounts for installing vehicle tracker devices on fleets, while some states have mandated anti-theft device discounts. You should also notify your insurance company if you utilize fleet tracking software that monitors driving activities of your employees.

I recommend: S&L Services Inc. and GPS North America provide a list of states with mandated anti-theft device discounts as well as insurance companies providing discounts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask the vehicle tracking supplier and/or distributor you are working with to provide you a free trial period for you to test their product on a few of your vehicles. This will be beneficial for you in terms of the feedback received from employees regarding the product's ease of use and any difficulties they encountered.

Vehicle tracking allows businesses and entities to keep detailed control over the vehicles they have in operation. This can include cars, trucks and vans for all different purposes, ranging from deliveries to fleet cars for staff to transportation to and from business functions and meetings. Vehicle tracking is also beneficial when it comes to monitoring gas use, speeding and idling. However, to make the most of such an industry and truly understand the benefits of vehicle tracking, it is important to establish a foundation by learning the key concepts and key terms of vehicle tracking and its industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Vehicle tracking device

A vehicle tracking device is the piece of hardware used in tracking systems to monitor vehicle locations. In the current market, the leading vehicle tracking device systems include those which operate in real-time and on web-based systems.

I recommend: Popular options for vehicle tracking devices are explored at GPSonSale.com, as well as LoJack.com.

Real time

Real time is the phrase used to describe vehicle tracking devices and systems which monitor vehicle transit and positioning as it occurs, in 'real time' or actual time.

I recommend: For additional information and images of real time vehicle tracking devices, visit SpyGadgets.com or Vehicle-Tracking-USA.com.

Automatic vehicle location

Automatic vehicle location is a vehicle tracking key term which is abbreviated by the acronym AVL. The AVL allows users to determine the geographic location of a specific and identified vehicle being tracked and the information is transmitted to a point when the concepts and statistics can be utilized.

I recommend: Detailed information regarding AVL can be found at Calccit.org.

Container tracking and security

Container tracking and security is a vehicle tracking concept abbreviated as CTS. CTS is a technology which allows the intermodal tracking of specific and individually identified containers or goods. Specifics which are monitored include not just the location of the container, but accurate and important variable information such as the temperature of the container and the percentage of moisture, as well as whether or not it has been tampered with, which provides additional security for the tracking of such vehicles and items.

I recommend: Information regarding container tracking and security, as well as aspects of reports available to illustrate such statuses, can be found at ABIResearch.com.

Fleet management system

FMS, or the Fleet Management System, is the vehicle combined use of telecommunications and informatics which occurs to monitor a company's fleet of vehicle. FMS information can include Global Positioning System tracking and diagnostics, driver management, fuel management and emissions management.

I recommend: Fleet management system solutions are discussed at FleetBoss.com, while BrickHouseSecurity.com offers an illustration of a fleet management system device, as well as pertinent information.

Mobile data terminal

A mobile data terminal is the term used to describe the computer device on or in a vehicle which communicated with a central dispatch office. Most mobile data terminals do not just transmit information, they also offer information, as well as a keyboard or keypad for the input of important or relevant data. In many instances, mobile data terminals are attached to peripheral devices to improve their capabilities and attributes.

I recommend: Mobile data terminal devices and equipment, as well as information, can be found at WiPath.com and OrbitalTMS.com.