GPS Vehicle
Tracking Systems: Do I Need One?
by Ken Sink
GPS
vehicle tracking systems are more affordable and more
popular than ever before, but do you need one? Take
this short quiz and keep track of your 'yes' answers.
I'll help you total your score and decide after you
finish.
Step
One: Take Quiz
1.
Do I use vehicles in my business? Yes/No
(The
definition of 'vehicles' includes heavy, medium and
light-duty vehicles, construction equipment (dozers,
graders, backhoes, etc), cars, motorcycles, RV's, pick-up
trucks, vans, tractor trailers, buses, trailers, dump
trucks, snow plows, limousines, taxis, etc.)
2.
Have any of my vehicles been stolen in the past? Yes/No
3.
I'd like to know what is going on and where my employees/vehicles
are during the day: Yes/No
4.
I'd like to reduce my fuel expenses and know if any
of my vehicles are wasting gas: Yes/No
5.
Being able to give my customers accurate and precise
arrival/delivery estimates is important to me: Yes/No
6.
It is important to know if any of my vehicles are used
after hours or on weekends for non-business purposes:
Yes/No
7.
I'd like save up to 30% on my vehicle insurance: Yes/No
8.
It is important to know if my employees are speeding
or otherwise abusing my vehicles: Yes/No
9.
If any of my employees are using my vehicles to 'moonlight'
or do work without my knowledge, I'd want to know: Yes/No
10.
Knowing about mechanical problems before they become
expensive to fix is important: Yes/No
11.
If any of my vehicles are ever stolen, I'd like to locate
them within minutes: Yes/No
12.
I'd like to have vehicle use data to compare with overtime
requests as a way to guard against errors and fraud:
Yes/No
13.
I'd like a reminder when it is time to do routine maintenance
on my vehicles: Yes/No
14.
Occasionally, customers question when we were at their
location, having the exact date and time recorded in
our tracking system would really help in those cases:
Yes/No
15.
I'd like to help my employees be more productive by
seeing where they go each day: Yes/No
Step
Two: Total Your 'Yes' Answers
Add
up your 'yes' answers.
*
Fewer than 7 'yes' answers:Thanks for taking the quiz,
you don't appear to want/need a vehicle tracking system.
*
7 to 11 'yes' answers: Thanks for taking the quiz. You
could greatly benefit from a vehicle tracking system.
*
More than 11 'yes' answers: Thanks for taking the quiz.
You need a vehicle tracking system.
By
the way, every question above (except question 1 &
2) is answered by using GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Step
Three: Cost vs. Gain
The
average business owner recoups their investment in GPS
vehicle tracking systems within 6 - 12 months after
purchase. Of course, your ROI may vary. Recovering one
stolen vehicle may pay for your entire tracking system.
Vehicle
tracking helps you reduce operating costs and boosts
productivity.
Tracking
systems reduce vehicle costs by putting a spotlight
on speeding employees, who waste fuel, cause excessive
engine wear and drive up insurance rates. Vehicle tracking
systems will also remind you when it's time for preventive
maintenance, like oil changes, helping you keep your
vehicles on the road and making you money.
GPS
vehicle tracking systems improve productivity by:
*
documenting long lunch hours,
*
exposing unauthorized breaks,
*
comparing driver overtime requests with system reports
of driver activity,
*
highlighting unauthorized vehicle use after hours and
on weekends,
*
eliminating driver logs.
Many
insurance companies offer discounts of up to 30% for
vehicles protected with tracking systems.
Step
Four: Due Diligence
GPS
vehicle tracking systems are outstanding tools for vehicle
and fleet management, but you need to find the right
system for you. Take a look at the different types of
GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Check
a company's hardware and software, as well as their
monthly data access plan. You'll also need to decide
whether to buy or lease your GPS tracking system.
Good
luck.
Ken
Sink, owner of My Vehicle WatchDog, is a veteran with
20+ years of transportation experience, including fleet
management of over 800 vehicles. Visit http://www.myvehiclewatchdog.info
for more information about GPS vehicle tracking systems
from Fleet Management Solutions, Networkfleet and Sprint/Nextel.
Submit your info for a quick, no-obligation system quote.
Quantity discounts for volume purchases.
