There are now vehicle tracking solutions suitable for companies of all shapes and sizes, from large fleets to small businesses. But what should you look for when selecting a supplier? Here are some of the key points to consider:
Pricing and Payment
The key benefits that vehicle tracking can bring include increasing productivity and safety, while also cutting costs. Look for a provider that offers the best combination of savings for your business. Questions to ask include:
- What return on investment do I want to get from vehicle tracking?
- How long is the duration of the contract?
- What extra services does it provide apart from vehicle tracking?
Payment plans can also vary from a lump sum up front, to monthly or quarterly direct debits, to rolling monthly contracts for more flexible solutions such as Trakm8 Prime.
Installation
Self-install telematics devices plug into a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) port. This eliminates vehicle down-time for installation; and there are no removal charges at the end of your contract. Another benefit to self-install units is that you can transfer them between vehicles, for example if you have vehicles on lease or hire.
If you choose hard-wired vehicle tracking devices, be aware that they will require vehicle down-time for installation. Most providers will offer free installation as part of your package. However, you might be liable for charges when they uninstall the device at the end of your contract.
Additional Features
Advanced telematics technology is increasingly more of a fleet management tool than merely track and trace. Most vehicle tracking solutions include downloadable time sheets. The better ones also offer useful technology such as geo-fencing and business/private mileage management. Geo-fencing creates digital boundaries around a real-world geographic location – for example alerting you whenever your vehicles arrive at and depart from a customer’s site.
Driver behaviour analytics identify and record events which impact on MPG, such as speeding, harsh acceleration, heavy braking, sharp cornering, and engine idling. During every journey, the vehicle tracker logs these events, to create a unique score for each driver. The higher the score, the more fuel-efficient the driver has been.
This type of driver behaviour technology is proven to boost fuel economy by up to 10% – and also reduces the risk of being involved in a road traffic incident. Some insurance brokers are now offering a discount on your premium if all your vehicles are fitted with driver behaviour technology.
In part two of this blog we will look at additional features such as vehicle health alerts and telematics cameras, as well as integration and return on investment.
If you would like to find out more about our vehicle tracking solutions, fill out the short form below and one of our team will be in touch. Alternatively, call us on 0330 311 5157 or email us at info@trakm8.com.
