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WORKING FOR YOU
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Do you want complete visibility and control over you mobile assets and workforce? If you are considering utilising vehicle tracking within your fleet operation, read on and find out how it can bring real benefits to your business. | | |
There are three key areas to consider when choosing a vehicle tracking and fleet management solution:
• Pick the right provider for you
• Select a system to suit your requirements
• Make it work for your organisation
PICK A PROVIDER
Select a supplier with a good track record, an excellent reputation and, not least, a sound balance sheet. Not many companies in the telematics field are making money today, while a significant proportion of service providers go bust within the first two years of business. The market is due a shake-out and we will definitely see some consolidation. So ask for annual reports, customer testimonials and service level agreements. Also, conduct your own research to identify how long a supplier has been in business.
Background info is vital because you must be satisfied the company will be around to service the full length of the contract, that it can deliver the necessary ongoing expertise, and that you will receive the same levels of service and enthusiasm in the final month of the contract as you did in the first.
Finally, be wary of firms offering miracle solutions. In this case, apply the old adage: if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Despite what some people might tell you, installing vehicle tracking won’t optimise your operation overnight. It’s not a short-term fix and requires long-term commitment from both supplier and user to achieve ongoing business and operational benefits.
SELECT A SYSTEM
Choosing a system takes careful consideration. It’s about businesses knowing what they really want, not just now, but also in the future. It is critical to adopt a system that addresses immediate fleet-related issues (for example, asset security, traffic management, fleet visibility, vehicle productivity) while possessing the flexibility to adapt to a company’s changing business and operational needs. There are many ways in which requirements will alter over time.
For example, vehicles could be redeployed to undertake a more customer-focussed role, or a new business win could introduce high-value goods. In these cases, a tracking system would need to adapt to new aspects such as increased customer service or enhanced security.
The system must also have the ability to receive information from a wide-range of vehicle sensors and other devices (such as door sensors, navigational tools or panic alarms).
However, while any aspect of a vehicle can be monitored, it’s worth asking, do you really need to when the doors are open or the brake pedal is depressed? And do you require info every 10 seconds? You can be overwhelmed with vehicle data, so consider what knowledge is essential to operate an efficient fleet and then focus on these key performance criteria.
Systems should be remotely upgradeable, too, so companies can update with the latest software developments, and change, if required, the way the technology is used (for example, when, how and what the system reports). Solutions should also take advantage of the latest technologies such as GPRS.
Perhaps most important, any system should possess a flexible reporting tool that analyses data to identify areas of under performance and areas requiring attention. It should also be able to integrate with existing reporting mechanisms such as fleet management software.
MAKE IT WORK
To best utilise a vehicle tracking solution, substantial levels of commitment, not only from the telematics service provider, but also from the fleet operator itself are required. This doesn’t just mean financially – companies need to set aside internal resource to develop and manage the vehicle tracking system.
Appoint a project champion or owner to make best use of a system and communicate openly with all its stakeholders, whether this be directors, employees, drivers, customers or suppliers – to ensure everyone understands the reasoning for the tracking methods and their potential benefits.
Stakeholders will help the tracking system succeed and should be involved in the implementation and ongoing management of it.
POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN PICKING A SYSTEM
• Know what you want – what’s the business case for tracking?
• Check the financial visibility of any telematics service provider – make sure the company is sustainable and professionally managed
• Systems can be purchased for as little as £1 a day per vehicle but these solutions are not all the same, so make sure what you are buying meets your needs
• Does the solution fit with how you want to do business, as well as integrate with your back-office processes?
• Do you have internal resources to make best use of a tracking tool?
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• Products & Solutions
DigiCore possesses a range of products and solutions to track all forms of mobile assets - cars, vans, trucks, trailers and even cargo. |
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• Paying For Itself
Vehicle tracking really can pay for itself by achieving a range of benefits and operating efficiencies.
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• Sector Solutions
Whatever industry sector you operate in, vehicle tracking can work for you. DigiCore provides bespoke solutions that meet your precise needs.
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• Case Studies
Find out how other businesses are utilising the C-track system and how it is benefiting their fleet operation.
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