For a fleet company to run optimally and profitably, a fleet manager needs to have control on all aspects of his or her fleet. Regrettably, this becomes a cumbersome exercise to master. There are however various methods that a fleet manager can employ in order to have full control of his fleet.

Tracking

Ever since the introduction of tracking in the fleet industry, many companies have in one way or another seen improvements in their fleet operations. Tracking has brought many benefits that can help run a fleet company efficiently. It can provide clear data, save time, improve safety and can ultimately reduce the overall fleet risk and cost.
Tracking can offer fleet managers true telematics, fuel reduction methods, ways to lower fleet costs, and help provide effective driver training.

We have five tracking functions that can help fleet managers have control over their fleet.

1. Telematics

A tailor-made telematics system will track all vehicle and engine performance alerting to any concerns before they turn into excessive cost. This helps your fleet save money that you can use in other areas of your business.

Telematics has changed the way fleet has been conducted, for the better. It has made the fleet industry far easier to manage than before. Fleet managers are now able to obtain all important information to stay well informed of the factors that impact fleet performance. With this information, you can cut costs and speed up operations among other things.

Telematics offer very important benefits for your fleet and these benefits can be listed as follow:
- Increase efficiency
- Improve safety
- Increase job satisfaction
- Reduce operating costs
- Monitor safety habits
- Optimise vehicle performance
- Schedule alerts for repair centres
- Streamline compliance
- Retain/attract drivers
- Offer superior driver experience
- Enhance security

2. Fuel Reduction

Tracking offers a lot of benefits for your fleet. Not only does it help you see where your vehicles are in real-time, it also helps in reducing your fuel expenditure. Tracking offers real-time data that will flag concerns such as excessive idling, over-revving or any driving patterns that waste fuel. Having this information on your fingertips helps fleet managers know how to draw up strategies to train and reward their drivers.

Driver habits will either increase or reduce your fuel consumption. Below are ways tracking can help you reduce fuel costs.
- Prevent speeding
- Reduce idling
- Choose more efficient routes
- Dispatch the closest driver
- Keep your engine tuned

3. Lower fleet costs

Accurate GPS tracking and telematics will lower your biggest fleet expenses, such as fuel and repairs. Things have changed over the last few decades, with the fleet industry in pursuit of evolving and improving, GPS tracking has been a very significant factor in achieving these objectives.

One of the key factors how GPS tracking and telematics can lower fleet costs is through maintenance costs. Maintenance cost can be extremely ferocious to your fleet budget. According to Global Position Specialists, maintenance costs can hit hard, especially when they are unexpected. Tracking allows for online maintenance planning and scheduling as well as enabling you to set reminders for basics such as oil changes. In addition, fleet telematics allow you to utilise on-board diagnostics more advantageously, as well as analyse service reports.

4. Driver safety

Accurate GPS tracking is always the most effective way to ensure driver safety , this in turn reduces risk and improves driver performance.

Your drivers are among the most valuable assets in your fleet company. They perform a very important role and are an integral part of your business. Therefore, keeping them safe should be a priority. With tracking and telematics, your drivers become accountable to your business and these tools encourage them to improve their driving behavior.

Smartrak explains that accidents have ripple effects beyond the direct cost; productivity, administration, and operations are all affected, not to mention the human impact on the drivers, the broader organisation, and the public.

5. Effective driver training

Comprehensive data will indicate which areas of driving training urgently need to be addressed. With this, your fleet company saves money and time by focusing on driving training that is necessary.

Training should be an ongoing exercise that every fleet company should focus on. New drivers need to understand and know what driving behaviors are expected by the fleet company. Old drivers need to improve their driving skills and thus perpetuate saving costs and minimising accidents.

Fleet driver training offers valuable benefits:
- Reduced fuel spend as a result of more economical driving behaviours
- Insurance premium savings
- Savings in servicing costs due to less wear and tear
- Reduced fleet management costs
- Compliance with health & safety requirements
- Minimised risk of corporate manslaughter lawsuits