Employers and fleet managers should be aware of the many advantages and limitations of using GPS fleet tracking services. Weigh the pros and cons to determine if these services are right for your business.
Pros
GPS fleet tracking offers several advantages, like improved driver safety, vehicle management and fuel management. The software is especially useful for helping employers maintain legal compliance and ensure their drivers are being safe on the road. With added tracking features like dash cameras and driver ID readers, you can gain extra insight into your fleet's operations.
GPS fleet tracking software includes alerts and reporting features that can help you make important business decisions. By tracking driver performance, route trends, and fuel consumption, your business can optimize fleet performance and save money.
Cons
There are two potential disadvantages of using GPS fleet tracking software: low employee morale and significant upfront costs. Your team may be uncomfortable with the monitoring system and view it as a lack of trust. Be upfront with your employees about how and why you are tracking them – focus on the benefits of the software. You can also potentially mitigate this limitation by using GPS tracking software data for performance-based incentives.
GPS fleet tracking software can also be expensive, which is a big disadvantage to some small businesses. However, the long-term benefits of optimizing routes and cutting fuel costs often outweigh the initial cost of the software.
Key takeaway: GPS fleet tracking can improve driver safety, fuel consumption, and vehicle health, but it can also have hefty upfront fees and reduce employee morale.