Vehicle Tracking Devices - An Essential Guide 

Vehicle tracking devices have become an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. These devices offer a range of features that improve efficiency, security, and convenience. Discover how a fleet tracking device works, what they can do, and why businesses, in particular, are increasing both productivity and profitability through changes made by using actionable data from the system.

image of a satellite rotating around the globe transmitting GPS information

How a vehicle locator device works

GPS Technology:

  • Global Positioning System (GPS): GPS is the core technology behind vehicle tracking devices. A network of satellites orbiting the Earth sends signals to the GPS receiver in the tracking device. Satellite triangulation provides you with the exact location of a vehicle tracker in real time.
  • Data Transmission: The GPS data, including the vehicle's location, speed, and direction, is transmitted to a central server via cellular networks, radio frequency, or satellite communication.

Telematics:

  • Sensors and Modules: Modern vehicle tracking devices are equipped with various sensors that collect data on vehicle performance, fuel consumption, engine diagnostics, and driver behaviour.
  • Data Analysis: The collected data is analysed to provide insights into vehicle health, maintenance needs, and operational efficiency.

Real-time Tracking:

  • Live Updates: Real-time tracking allows users to monitor the vehicle’s location and status continuously. This is crucial for logistics, emergency services, and fleet management.
  • Geofencing: Geofencing creates virtual boundaries around specific geographic areas. Alerts are triggered when a vehicle enters or exits these predefined zones.

Our mascot showing the FMT100, our battery topping fitted vehicle tracking device.

What Vehicle Locator Devices Can Do

The FMT100 is our standard go-to vehicle locator device. Easily installed within 2 minutes, it hides on top of the vehicle's battery, where it uses the power from the battery to work. It accurately shows the location of your vehicles via Google Maps, every 60 seconds or turn by turn, depending on where the vehicles are driving. This can help with the following:

  • Fleet Management: Tracking devices provide insights into driver behaviour, such as speeding, harsh braking, and idling. This information can be used to improve driver training and safety.

Security and Theft Recovery:

  • Theft Prevention: Vehicle locator devices can act as a deterrent to theft. In case of theft, the real-time tracking feature helps in quick recovery by providing the exact location of the vehicle.
  • Dash Cams: We also offer dash cams to act as a deterrent to vehicle theft.

Compliance and Reporting

  • Regulatory Compliance: For businesses in industries like transportation and logistics, tracking devices help ensure compliance with regulations regarding driving hours, rest periods, and maintenance schedules.
  • Automated Reporting: The devices can generate automated reports on various metrics such as mileage, fuel usage, and service intervals, simplifying administrative tasks.

Cost Reduction:

  • Fuel Efficiency: Monitoring driving behaviour can lead to significant fuel savings.
  • Maintenance Costs: Proactive maintenance alerts help prevent breakdowns and reduce repair costs.

Customer Service Improvement:

  • Accurate ETAs: Real-time tracking allows businesses to provide customers with accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs), enhancing customer satisfaction.

Image of our obd vehicle tracking device

Why businesses use vehicle tracking devices

The next popular option, due to the convenience of being able to quickly switch out the tracker should a vehicle be sold or no longer needs to be tracked, is our OBD port tracker, which plugs straight into the OBD port. Older vehicles may not have this, so it's important to check first. A business can use these devices to:

Enhance Efficiency:

  • Operational Streamlining: By automating various processes and providing detailed insights into fleet operations, fleet tracking devices help businesses streamline their operations and improve productivity.

Improve Safety:

  • Driver Safety: Monitoring driver behaviour and providing feedback helps promote safer driving practices, reducing the risk of incidents.
  • Emergency Assistance: In case of an incident or breakdown, the exact location of the vehicle can be quickly identified, and the vehicle tracking app can send a notification to the fleet manager/admin.

Cost Savings:

  • Reduced Operational Costs: Monitoring fuel consumption and improving vehicle maintenance all contribute to lowering operational costs.
  • Insurance Benefits: Many insurance companies offer discounts to businesses that use vehicle or van tracking systems, as they reduce the risk of theft and incidents.

Image showing the tracker used to monitor temperature in temperature controlled vehicles

Vehicle tracking device benefits

The BTSID1 is a vehicle locator device used to monitor the temperature of a vehicle and warn if the levels of heat or cold get too extreme. Ideal for those who transport temperature-sensitive products to ensure they arrive in the best condition.  A business can use these devices to:

Better Resource Management:

  • Asset Utilisation: Tracking devices provide insights into how vehicles are being used, helping businesses make better decisions regarding resource allocation and fleet expansion.

  • Inventory Management: For businesses that transport goods, vehicle tracking ensures that inventory is monitored and managed efficiently.

Competitive Advantage:

  • Customer Trust: Businesses that can provide accurate delivery times and proof of service build greater trust with their customers.

  • Scalability: As businesses grow, a GPS tracking system for fleet can easily scale to accommodate larger fleets, supporting expansion without compromising efficiency.

Environmental Impact:

  • Reduced Carbon Footprint: By improving fuel efficiency, vehicle tracking devices help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Tracking devices save businesses money!

All of our vehicle tracking devices are multifaceted tools offering a plethora of benefits, from enhanced operational efficiency and cost savings to improved safety and customer satisfaction.

For businesses, the integration of these devices into their operations is not just a matter of convenience but a strategic decision that drives growth and competitive advantage. As technology continues to advance, the capabilities and applications of vehicle tracking systems are likely to expand, making them an indispensable asset for modern fleet management and logistics.

Get a quote today and see the benefits of fleet tracking devices for yourself.

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