GPS Tracking Device: The Best Solution for Vehicle and Fleet

Just like we can’t go anywhere these days without our smartphones, it’s almost impossible for a fleet manager to imagine doing their job without the help of a GPS tracking device. And, exactly how GPS vehicle tracking can transform fleet management doesn’t end at the tracking device; the best solutions offer a range of features designed to take this visibility even further, enhance all aspects of fleet operations and vehicle safety, and put you in control of your personal vehicle or fleet.

Curious to know how? Let’s find out more.

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When is a GPS tracking device the best solution for your vehicle and fleet?

Are you asking yourself what the advantages of a GPS tracker are in fleet management? To understand just how valuable the right tracking solution can be for your business and personal use, consider some of the following important factors.

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Consider these important key factors

1. Reducing operating costs
   The more you can reduce this compulsory cost in your business, the more financial and budgetary freedom you have to spend your money where you need it most. A tracking system can help you reduce costs by optimising and preplanning the most efficient routes and ensuring your drivers stay on them to reduce vehicle wear and tear and fuel usage.
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2. Prioritising safety
   Driver and cargo safety is foundational to running a successful fleet business. For personal use, you want to know that the tracking device increases your safety and your car’s security. Your drivers must be safe to securely deliver your cargo to its intended destination. Some GPS tracking devices provide features like stolen vehicle recovery and panic buttons, which can help get your drivers the help they need in case of theft or hijacking.
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3. Upping productivity
   Every business’s goal is to boost productivity because it directly affects a boost in profits. With the visibility GPS tracking devices offer, it’s easy to keep tabs on driver locations and movements and ensure that your fleet completes their tasks most efficiently and productively.
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4. Lowering fuel costs
   The more fuel you save, the more wiggle room you have budget-wise and the more environmentally sustainable you’re making your fleet. There’s just no upside to lowering your fleet’s fuel usage.

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If you’ve had several “aha” moments while reading these points, continue reading to learn about the benefits a GPS tracking device can offer your fleet or vehicle and how to choose a brand that will work for you.

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Consider these points to choose the best solution for your vehicle and fleet

When you have the opportunity to review several options and make an informed decision that will really benefit your fleet and business, take it! The secret to choosing the best GPS tracking device for your operations is knowing what to look for, and with our seven-point plan, you can’t go wrong.

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1. Brand reputation

Choosing a company with a strong reputation sounds like a no-brainer, but how do you really know if a brand is as reputable as it appears? When making an important decision like purchasing a core product for your fleet operations, some snooping is definitely in order to make sure you’re choosing a brand that delivers on its promises. Our top tips can help you take a deeper look at prominent (or promising) brands and make an intelligent move.

• Reputational consistency: Do the brands you’re looking at show ups and downs in their reputations, or do they offer a solid timeline of quality and public trust? Nobody wants to invest in a brand with a wobbly brand reputation, so take a closer look.
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• Customer reviews: Platforms like Hello Peter are more likely to contain negative reviews because unsatisfied customers are more likely to leave reviews than happy ones. That said, positive and negative customer reviews can provide valuable insights into where companies need to improve and whether you consider these to be major or minor issues. After all, no company is perfect.
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• On-the-ground opinion: Even with all the digital tools available today, many are still convinced that word-of-mouth or WOM is still a powerful way of getting your brand’s name out there. It’s also another great way to gauge the public’s opinion about GPS tracking brands.

2. Available features of a GPS Tracking Device

The more features a tracker offers, the better, but it’s also important that these features are all fully functional and serve an important purpose in your everyday fleet management tasks. Purchasing a highly complex GPS tracking device with features you’ll never use is no use. Here are some of the most important features to look out for:

• Real-Time Tracking: This is a basic requirement all GPS tracking devices should offer; however, some may be more efficient than others. For example, how a tracker receives the location data can affect its speed and accuracy, so if the location is only sent at set intervals, the data you receive may not be as “real-time” as expected.
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• Durability: Devices designed for vehicle fitment must be water-resistant and rugged to ensure they’re not affected by exposure to extreme temperatures. Vehicles are often left outside overnight or parked in the blazing hot sun. If it’s built to last, you can tick this box with a smile and move on to the next.
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• Notifications and alerts: It’s unrealistic to expect you to check your vehicles’ movements 24/7, so the basic features every GPS tracking device should offer are notifications and alerts for important location changes or emergencies. Customisable options are an even bigger plus, as you can create alerts and notifications specific to your fleet’s needs.
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• A user-friendly monitoring platform: If monitoring vehicle locations is difficult, then why would you want to purchase the product? Convenience is the keyword here, so look for an easy-to-use online platform and app that allows you to check at any time, wherever you are.

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3. Your fleet’s unique needs

You know your fleet best, which is advantageous when looking for a GPS device that suits your business’s unique needs. Here are three points to think about and use to identify a tracking device that meets these requirements.

• Areas that need improvement: 
  You’re sure to know which areas of your fleet need work or improvement, but which can be improved using a GPS tracking device or a fleet management system? For example, if you need more visibility on when your drivers are entering or exiting specific zones due to productivity issues, looking for a product that offers geofencing can help you manage this issue.
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• Areas that need automation:
  One area of fleet management that every manager wants to automate is fleet and cost-related admin and reporting. If this sounds like a dream come true to you, keeping an eye out for a solution that offers cost tracking, reporting, and admin automation can help you save time and money.
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• Areas that need streamlining:
  Though automation and streamlining may sound similar, there’s a big difference when applying them to fleet management practices. For example, it would be ideal to automate admin processes, but it would be ideal to streamline your fleet’s workflow to optimise the number of tasks they get done per shift and improve overall productivity. If your current operations need workflow optimisation, you need to look for this when weighing your GPS tracking device options and the features they offer.

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4. Customer support

Choosing the right GPS device provider means that you’re expecting minimal issues, but it’s still important to be prepared for potential issues. That’s why looking at the quality of customer support is a crucial point of consideration before you choose your GPS and fleet management provider. Customer support needs to be prompt, friendly, helpful, and able, and the best way to get a feeling for a company’s customer support is by looking at customer reviews. Consider the type of issues experienced, the promptness of the help provided, and whether the outcomes satisfied customers.

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5. Reliability

If you’re investing in a new GPS tracking device for your business or personal vehicle, it needs to deliver and offer consistent reliability so you know you can count on its technology when the unexpected happens. Tracking devices are not only there to provide everyday visibility but also to help you assist your fleet drivers in case of emergencies by getting help to their exact location as soon as possible.

Therefore, reliability is directly linked to the device’s accuracy and consistency in providing you with location data and the reliability of any other features it offers.

If the GPS product you’re eyeing comes with telematics features like vehicle diagnostics and related data, you need to know that you can count on these figures to be accurate for smart decision-making that will actually boost your business and improve your operations and bring peace of mind about your safety if you’re getting a tracker for personal use.

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6. Affordability

One way or another, no matter how impressive the product, you’ll end up asking, “how much?” A GPS can offer a seemingly endless range of features designed to help you cut costs and increase your ROI, but if it’s too pricey, is there really going to be a notable profit increase? To approach affordability the smart way, break up the concept into different components and review each one separately:

• The initial cost refers to any upfront cost or purchase price you need to pay for the device.
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• Ongoing costs can be subscription fees, monthly data plans, or any other recurring costs.
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• If your package doesn’t include a device warranty, you may need to consider replacement and maintenance costs as part of your overall expenses.

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Add all of these together to determine your total cost of ownership, the most accurate number you can use to determine whether a GPS tracking device is an affordable option for you, whether for business or personal use.

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7. Product range

Apart from looking at your fleet’s unique needs, you’ll want to look at the entire range as you’re more than likely planning to use this solution in the long run and may not need every feature today, but maybe tomorrow or even next year. Here’s what you need to look for:

The range of different features offered by a GPS tracking product

• Different brands offer different levels of technology, and it’s important to make sure you choose a brand with technology that is advanced enough for what you want to achieve. This includes thinking about the future, so consider a brand that allows you to future-proof your fleet operations without having to incur extra costs, need drastic changes, or expensive add-ons.

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The importance of GPS tracking technology in different fleet-based industries and personal use

Apart from using GPS trackers in personal vehicles, technology and related features like fleet management tools are valuable attributes for running a successful fleet business in various industries. Let’s take a look at different industries and how GPS trackers help optimise operations within each one.

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Logistics and transportation

Logistics and transportation are the overarching industries for most fleet-based businesses, and have specific needs that include tracking and telematics-based fleet management.

In the logistics and transportation industries, visibility and optimised workflows are crucial to successfully managing the way resources are collected, stored, and moved to their set locations. Other more common fleet-related issues, such as resource management and fuel efficiency, are closely related to driver behaviour management and preventing profit drainage.

A GPS tracking device solution offering telematics features and a comprehensive fleet management platform is ideal for simplifying the demanding and complex task of managing large fleets in these industries. But what about sectors like security, cold chain, and mining? Let’s explore the fleet-based sectors that make a solid contribution to South Africa’s economy and how they benefit from GPS tracking technology.

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Security

Fleet managers in the security industry face two main issues: low visibility and the need for live tracking so they can stay on top of their patrollers’ locations to ensure they are where they’re supposed to be and have visual access to what they’re doing to ensure they are alert and ready to act if needed.

The best solution GPS tracking device technology can offer for the security industry is accurate location tracking, which provides real-time visibility with little to no lag. In-vehicle camera technology can also help managers monitor their patrollers’ behaviour and ensure that those on the night shift are alert by performing spot checks.

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Courier services

Keeping demanding customers happy can keep fleet managers in the courier industry awake at night, and timely delivery involves smart route planning, clear communication, and an optimised workflow for on-time deliveries.

GPS tracking and telematics help courier business fleet managers plan and optimise routes to complete deliveries in the quickest, most efficient order. Digitised proof of delivery helps keep both customers happy and managers on top of their drivers’ task progress during every shift.

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Mining

The mining industry in the South African landscape is tough, with many safety and security challenges, both on-site and when cargo is being transported. Proactive security and measures to increase both in-cabin and external vehicle visibility are crucial to ensure the safe transportation and handling of mining cargo and driver safety.

Fleet management in mining needs robust solutions that combine GPS tracking with advanced technology to monitor driver location and cargo safety, proactively alert drivers of potential accidents or dangers, and link with vehicle recovery or emergency assistance services in case of an accident.

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Personal use

If you’re getting a GPS tracking device for your car, you’re making a wise choice, especially considering South Africa’s sky-high vehicle theft and hijacking rates. A reliable GPS tracker helps increase your vehicle’s visibility so you can track its movements, whether you or a loved one are driving it. In case of theft or hijacking, vehicle recovery services are an added bonus offered by top GPS tracking brands, assuring you that you’ve got expert backup to help you get it back in such an unfortunate event.

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Discover Cartrack’s all-in-one GPS tracking device and features for your vehicle and fleet

What is the best software for fleet tracking?

Real-time GPS tracking and risk management

• No matter your industry, live GPS tracking on our Fleetweb platform and the dedicated Cartrack App allows you to always know where your vehicles, equipment, and other movable assets are.
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• Cartrack’s advanced GPS tracking and telematics technology allow you to manage your risk proactively in multiple ways, covering your bases and staying prepared for unexpected events.
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• Geofencing allows you to create digital parameters that automatically send alerts when your drivers enter or exit these zones. This helps you monitor your drivers’ whereabouts and determine whether they are in the areas assigned to them or using company vehicles outside of authorised locations.
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• In the event of theft or hijacking, our 24/7 Control Room dispatches a trained, experienced recovery team to search for your vehicle. Armed with our Anti-Jamming technology, our team can potentially track down your vehicle even when criminals try to use signal-jamming devices. Boasting an above 90% recovery rate, Cartrack offers superior risk management features and services in South Africa and even cross-border recovery if stolen vehicles are taken to neighbouring countries.

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Real-time diagnostics & preventative maintenance

• You need advanced vehicle diagnostics, proactive maintenance alerts, and streamlined, digitalised service and maintenance records for your vehicles to stay moving and on the road where they should be.
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• Cartrack helps you avoid vehicle downtime and optimise maintenance scheduling and vehicle availability by providing CANBus-powered vehicle diagnostics that send you real-time alerts for issues like engine faults, so you can make smart decisions before vehicle problems start escalating.
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• Our preventative maintenance alerts and scheduling feature lets you know exactly when vehicles need brake pad replacement or new tyres to ensure they don’t start affecting your fleet’s budget.
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• While making sure your vehicles are always in top shape, streamline and digitise your service and maintenance records so you always have them available for reporting and referencing purposes.

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Smart camera solutions

• In the fleet business, your drivers are not always visible to you even though their vehicle movements are. So, you need an extra pair of eyes and ears to make sure they stay compliant, drive responsibly, and follow your rules.
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• Cartrack Vision offers a range of solutions designed to broaden your in-cabin, road, and cargo-facing views to limit accidents, improve compliance and productivity, and have footage for incident reconstruction and insurance claims.
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• Our Vision solutions are powered with smart, AI-powered technology, offering HD live streaming capabilities with audio, giving you real-time visibility of your drivers during their shifts.
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• AI-powered behavioural detection alerts drivers of any risky behaviours like yawning, smoking, fatigue, speeding, or distraction, audibly notifying them of their behaviour to proactively help improve behaviour, prevent accidents, and protect cargo.
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• External, weatherproof cameras and in-cabin monitors allow drivers to eliminate blind spots by increasing the visibility of their surroundings.

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Cartrack Delivery

If you often feel alone and somewhat helpless in your delivery operations, Cartrack Delivery is the partner you’ve been looking for. Here are some of the smart features that help you optimise the process by improving communication, increasing productivity, and keeping customers happy:

• Real-time visibility on job progress and driver locations
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• Automatic job allocation and optimisation
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• Seamless communication between managers, drivers, and customers
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• Convenient schedule pre-creation with easy ad-hoc changes as required
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• Electronic proof of delivery and digital job timestamps and histories

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No matter how unpredictable your day ends up being, our Delivery App helps you manage the unexpected while efficiently planning at the same time in the quickest, most convenient way possible.

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Specialised sensors

Different industries have different needs and risks. Our specialised sensors are created as smart solutions that help expertly manage these risks, help you achieve your goal, and push for success every day.

• Temperature sensors
  Detect temperature fluctuations in real time with alerts sent straight to you, making sure you can act to ensure temperatures stay within the compliant range. Download detailed reports for compliance support and to help prove that your equipment or machinery was not the cause in case of cargo spoilage. ”
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• PTO sensors
  Some industries, like construction, require the use of cranes and similar machinery, so productivity cannot be measured by checking if the machine’s ignition is switched on and the engine is running. Cartrack’s PTO sensor technology measures the movement of working parts, helping you ensure equipment is being used the way it’s supposed to, boosting workplace productivity.
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• Cargo door sensors
  Should your cargo doors open and close if your maps show the vehicle is in transit? Instantly detect suspicious activity with real-time alerts every time cargo doors open and close and reports showing the exact time and location of these events. Monitoring how long your drivers keep cargo doors open when loading or unloading can help you keep your cargo safe and cold-chain goods fresh.
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• Driver ID tags
  This smart sensor is an invaluable tool in multiple industries. It uses advanced ID sensor technology to ensure only authorised drifters operate assigned vehicles or machinery. Drivers need to tap a sensor in their assigned vehicle to start and operate it. They cannot use that vehicle if they are not assigned, enhancing workplace safety while reducing potential accidents.

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Choose the best GPS tracking device. Choose Cartrack Nigeria.

With a solid, feature-rich GPS tracking solution, you can take control of your fleet and vehicle safety and boost your business. Contact Cartrack Nigeria today and start doing just that.