Trucking is increasingly being integrated into the company systems since it is integral to the supply chain and logistics functions. This has led to increased adoption of fleet management technologies and systems to ensure trucks operate optimally. One of the fleet management systems used by various companies is the GPS trackers for a fleet. Currently, GPS trackers are used for other duties besides truck movement monitoring.

Before getting these trackers, you should understand why you need them and the anticipated benefits. You should also consider factors like fleet size, distance covered, and other functions. Once you have these details, select the best trackers for your trucking fleet. Here are some guidelines on the anticipated benefits, selection criteria, key features a tracker should have, and their implications for your business.

Why You Need Trackers

Trackers are essential for any company with a fleet for logistics services, product distribution, e-commerce, and other services. Other companies that outsource trucks for various operations can also rely on the trackers for various reasons. Here are some reasons

1.     Cost Saving Advantages

Trackers can help you save on logistics and fleet management costs in various ways. First, route scheduling capabilities enable you to reduce fuel consumption. Another tool to help reduce fuel consumption is the traffic alert and warning systems that warn of traffic jams and repairs on major roads. Secondly, driver monitoring and real-time track location GPS features enable you to monitor the drivers. They cannot deviate to other places, thereby burning company fuel.

You can integrate the truck maintenance schedule into the tracking system for trucks. This enables you to get notifications whenever the truck achieves certain milestones, such as distance covered hence due repair and maintenance services.

Driver monitoring features and other accessories can capture driver behaviors such as speeding, braking, etc. This enables you to retrain drivers and caution them to avoid traffic accidents, saving you from rising premiums and other compensations if the accidents are frequent.

2.     Streamlined Supply chain

Logistics is a critical component of the supply chain; hence you need trucks to operate optimally to support operations efficiency strategies such as lean supply chain management and just-in-time deliveries. Efficiency is critical for avoiding product shortages in warehouses and delayed supply.

One of the benefits of trackers the ability to integrate with scheduling strategies. Since trackers capture data on the road networks, time taken to cover the distance and route used. The operation management team can use route scheduling to ensure trucks take the shortest route and delivery time.

3.     Data Analytics Capabilities

Currently, data is the engine that runs operations in different companies. It is critical for decision-making at all organizational functions. Trackers can capture various data that can undergo through analytics to generate reports for decision-making needs. The reports from data analytics can be used for training drivers, implementing speed limits, etc.

Selecting The Best Truck GPS Trackers

Consider the following features and capabilities to help you select the best GPS truck trackers.

·       Fleet Capacity and Flexibility Features

Many GPS trackers are available for companies to select for their fleets. However, not all may be suitable for tracking, especially if they can only support a limited number of vehicles in the fleet. The best tracker should cover a large fleet and allow for future fleet expansion. This saves you the burden of using different tracking systems, which can be cumbersome to run and operate.

·       Use Friendly Trackers

Due to the number of trucks and vehicles an employee needs to monitor, the system should be simple and easy to use. It should be optimized for mobile, laptop and use on other devices. A good tracker should also be optimized for remote monitoring and sharing live data from any location.

The notification features and the alert system saves employees the burden of constantly monitoring truck movement. Once you set a route for the truck, alert and notification features will inform you whenever the truck deviates. Besides setting the route, you can also set the time to complete the trip. If the drivers take longer, you will be notified and can monitor aspects such as speed, places visited, stop, and rest time to understand why.

·       Customer Support

In case of any issues with the system, someone from the company should respond fast and instantly to correct the incurred errors. The support services are also crucial for learning system updates to ensure you operate the latest trackers. Therefore, select a tracker from a company that provides 24/7 services and offers multichannel communication to stay in touch with customers.

·       Data Collection and Analytics Capabilities

A good tracker should collect all the relevant data, and the provider should offer you a cloud storage system to store all the data for future needs and analytics. It should also be compatible and easily integrated with other operations management, supply chain, and production systems to support data sharing and collaboration.

·       Other Features

Besides the discussed capabilities, a good GPS tracker should have different features to help the company. These features include geofencing features that restrict truck movement to certain locations. Enable the warning and notification features which should give various warnings about driver behaviors, routes, location, and other critical details.

A good tracker should have other features like dash cams to monitor traffic and driver and capture traffic data essential in case of an accident. It should be integrated with satellite navigation, Google, and other maps to provide real-time truck location.

Conclusion

If you are operating trucks, you should ensure they have the best GPS trackers to enable you to feel the benefits of a streamlined tracking system. Select a tracker with the best capabilities and features to meet and surpass all your goals. Finally, select a tracker that covers your fleet and offers more room for growth.