How to choose the right GPS tracking solution for your fleet

May 15, 2015

Determining which GPS tracking solution will be best for your business can be a tough choice. You are likely speaking with several providers that seem to have similar functionality, so it is not easy to know which solution will really be the most beneficial to your fleet.

Choosing the appropriate GPS tracking solution is about more than just features or cost.

Here are some suggestions to help you select the right provider.

BUSINESS CHALLENGES

During the buying process, it is incredibly important to make sure the solution has the ability to solve your specific business challenges. If you started researching GPS tracking to reduce fuel costs, improve maintenance processes or improve safety, you must have a clear understanding of how the solution will help you solve these problems.

Every fleet has a unique set of business challenges. Be sure to dive into what those are in detail with potential providers.

It is also important that the GPS tracking solution has the ability to scale with your business. If you add more vehicle to your fleet, expand your service area or need to integrate with new software, the solution should be able to adapt to what you need down the line.

Not all GPS tracking solutions are designed for fleets of all sizes or capable of certain functionality, so scalability should not be overlooked.

THE RIGHT PARTNER

The number one reason that most fleets decide to switch GPS tracking providers is because they are not receiving adequate customer service.

Unfortunately, there are many providers that go completely MIA after the sale is complete. That is why it is essential to choose not just the right solution, but the right business partner.

If a GPS tracking solution is known for having excellent customer service, it is a good indication that they will be a good business partner as well. Along with providing the right features, the GPS tracking solution provider should tell you why to use them and how it will benefit your business.

When assessing a provider’s customer service, ask about their technical support, if they have training tools available for your employees and if they offer account management for ongoing analysis. A GPS tracking provider should help you identify areas that your business can improve, help you set up the right functionality to get the most out of the solution and demonstrate how to measure your success with GPS tracking.  

EXPECTED ROI

Before making your final purchasing decision, you should know the expected return on investment.

Any reputable GPS tracking provider will help you establish the expected ROI by putting their solution to the test on real vehicles in your fleet. By conducting a pilot with potential providers, you will have the opportunity to see what the software is really capable of rather than relying on the provider’s claims that may end up falling short.

By completing a few pilots simultaneously, you will have quantifiable numbers to compare and present to upper management. 

GPS tracking solutions provide accurate and timely data, customizable reports and alerts and robust mapping capabilities that will help your business increase productivity and efficiency across the board.

By following these key steps in the buying process, you can choose the right GPS tracking provider for your business and take your fleet operations to the next level.

Jenny Malcolm is the content marketing specialist for GPS Insight (www.gpsinsight.com), a technology provider of GPS fleet tracking software for businesses with mobile assets.