GPS fleet tracking service: Keep your fleet productive and efficient

Simply put, a GPS fleet tracking system product is the use of a device or software to monitor a company’s vehicles at any location to more efficiently manage a company’s fleet and employees.

Fleet GPS tracking has come a long way and now involves much more than simple location data points. Companies can use fleet tracker software and devices such as the Lytx Fleet Tracking Service to relay dynamic information, including real-time* vehicle and driver information, satellite images, and vehicle performance data.

With so much data at the hands of managers, they are free to make decisions to maximize efficiency and productivity while their fleet is in the field. Benefits of a more robust fleet tracking solution include:

• Data that allows a manager to make fast decisions to improve productivity immediately
• The ability to find the closest driver to respond to an urgent customer need
• Tracking a fleet from any device—smartphone, laptop, desktop, or tablet

All fleet tracking solutions use a Global Positioning System (GPS). A device is usually installed in a vehicle and those devices send data via cellular towers and satellites from the GPS device to a dispatcher computer or device almost instantaneously. 

The volume of information transmitted depends on the sophistication of the device. A simpler product will send basic location data. More advanced fleet GPS solutions will transmit information on vehicle location, speed, mileage, idle time, trip histories (including route maps), and engine diagnostics.

Fleet tracking software takes the transmitted information and then combines it with other important information and reports such as road conditions, traffic, driver performance, and video. Check out our blog on how fleet tracking software works. 

Short answer: yes, a GPS tracking system can revolutionize a company’s fleet. Vehicle tracking systems can help deliver four major benefits to fleet owners and operators, allowing them to find new ways to improve satisfaction, increase productivity, and further optimize their assets. 

Higher levels of customer satisfaction

Companies are finding ways to use real-time fleet status to deliver a five-star customer experience.

• More accurate arrival estimates mean fewer calls from customers asking about delivery status. Status calls can be answered more quickly without having to reach the driver.
• With mobile integration, some fleet tracking systems offer vehicle information on virtually any device, including mobile platforms, via most major browsers.
• By quickly identifying the closest vehicle to a service destination, fleet managers also can respond faster to new or changing customer requests. 

More efficient routing

Access to current and historical route data can help fleet managers better manage driver time and trips.

• Many advanced fleet tracking systems combine GPS data with real-time mapping data to provide up-to-the-minute data on traffic and road conditions, along with current fleet locations, helping dispatchers quickly re-route vehicles and adapt to changing conditions as they happen.
• Analysis of trip history data can reveal patterns and lead to performance improvements, such as avoiding a particular section of road at certain times of day.

Cargo theft deterrence

Companies lose $30 billion annually from cargo and vehicle theft. Knowing exactly where your equipment is at all times is key to managing loss.

• Custom geofences, along with notifications when vehicles stray from their territories or operate outside of business hours, help ensure drivers stick to their routes.
• Route replay can help managers identify lengthy stops and unauthorized trips.
• Systems set up to track trailers can also help locate stolen cargo and equipment.

Increased fleet productivity

Fleet tracking software and devices can also be used to reduce operating costs and improve asset utilization.

• Combine location with engine idling data to pinpoint problem areas and remind drivers to turn off their engines.
• Visibility into an entire fleet can help dispatchers deploy vehicles more efficiently, reducing empty miles and improving overall vehicle utilization.
• Custom reports and notifications can be configured to focus on specific issues.

The addition of video is the most important difference between the Lytx Fleet Tracking Service and standard fleet vehicle tracking offerings from other vendors. A basic fleet tracking solution offers fleet managers the GPS location of their vehicles, optimized routes, vehicle notifications, and data collection. This data is essential to efficient GPS fleet management and asset tracking, but it’s not the entire picture. 

Vehicle tracking enhanced with video is a powerful solution that allows companies to manage and monitor their assets in the field. Through the use of the innovative Lytx DriveCam device and the Lytx Video Platform, companies can help to ensure the fleet is efficient, safe, on task, and positively representing the brand. These additional components help keep fleets safe and customer satisfaction high across industries, from construction to distribution and everything in between. 

The Lytx Fleet Tracking Service also comes with the option to add our industry-leading Driver Safety Program, which helps companies proactively coach drivers to help reduce risky driving behavior.

Adding industry-leading video to a fleet tracking service does more than add a simple visual record of the fleet. With the Lytx Fleet Tracking Service video component, companies can see the following benefits:

• Gain visibility into arrival, idle, and departure times so you can make fast decisions that can improve your fleet’s productivity and have video proof of service when needed. Best of all, it works with the Lytx DriveCam^® Event Recorder, so you won’t need to worry about installation or buy extra equipment, cables, or software.
• Use video evidence to prove what really happened to protect a driver or the company in the event of a collision. Managers can also view video evidence to investigate damage incidents or missing equipment.
• Get route playback to give you an animated trail of where drivers are speeding, and how long they spend at each stop, so you can improve your drivers’ safety and productivity.
• Find your closest driver in both distance and time to location. All customers are time-sensitive, and Lytx makes it easy to locate the driver closest to your service destination, so you can quickly respond.
• Create custom geofences that help you manage driver adherence to approved areas, routes, and business hours. Get notifications when vehicles travel in or out of restricted areas or during specific times.
• Keep tabs on your fleet anywhere, anytime, even on mobile devices. Our fleet tracking system is cloud based and built on HTML5, so it works with desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making managing your fleet data convenient and seamless.