DO you have a fleet of more than three or four vehicles? Managing your fleet is essential for optimising your operations. A part of this process involves fleet tracking.

However, the use of telematics has resulted in many myths regarding its use. These misinterpretations could exist on many levels in your organisation.

For example, fleet managers may feel a threat looming over their job. Or the drivers could hold exaggerated expectations about what exactly is tracked on a daily basis.

It’s important to counter these myths. GPS tracking together with telematics reduces costs and helps to optimize your operations. Even if you have less than three vehicles.

Here are five of the most popular myths regarding fleet tracking. After reading this post, you understand better how to manage the potential fears and knowledge gaps of people in your company.

Then you can invest in a product like FleetGo.

Myth number 1: Drivers lose valuable time

 What people say: Adopting telematics to track your fleet results in lost time for drivers. They have to put in the effort for logging information and changing the device’s settings.

 Reality: Turning on the ignition starts the device. Most of the fleet tracking system works automatically. However, the driver needs to use the interface when the same system doubles as an electronic logging device (ELD). This wouldn’t take more time from the driver as it’s a replacement for the analogue approach on paper.

Myth number 2: Fleet tracking is too expensive

 What people say: Fleet tracking costs thousands of pounds to implement. And that’s just the starting price. The base expenses are the same for everyone regardless if you have a small business or a big enterprise.

 Reality: Fleet tracking and telematics systems, such as FleetGo, are an investment. The costs aren’t universal across the spectrum of different companies. The particular costs of investment depend on your needs. However, no matter the solution used, you’ll enjoy these benefits:

  •     Better safety
  •     Improved efficiency
  •     Lower costs
  •     Boosted fleet visibility

Myth number 3: Fleet tracking has no return on investment

 What people say: Fleet tracking is a serious investment only on paper. In real life, there is no adequate way to measure the return on investment. Even if there are profits resulting from its implementation, you aren’t able to measure the metrics.

Reality: There are many metrics that show the return on investment. Fleet tracking should be seen for what it is: a system that allows you to optimize the big-scale processes of your fleet. Here are some examples of how fleet tracking can save money: 

  •     Fuel savings
  •     Countering timesheet fraud
  •     Cutbacks on unnecessary maintenance
  •     Reduction of side trips
  •     Optimizing overtime
  •     Diminish excessive idling
  •     Combat reckless driving habits

The increased efficiency and solid safety measures may result in improved insurance premiums. The insurance companies’ algorithms register the reduction in claims from your company.

Myth  number 4: Some companies are too small for this

What people say: Fleet tracking provides value only for big companies. Having anywhere between 1-5 vehicles means the company has nothing to gain from telematics. The ‘fleet’ in ‘fleet tracking’ refers to a sizeable number of vehicles, at least starting from five.

Reality: This is a common misconception. Even an operation with just a single vehicle can benefit from telematics. Say, a landscaping company’s customer calls the owner to ask about the worker’s arrival time. Using telematics services, the owner can quickly tell the customer how much time they have to wait for the landscaping worker to arrive. The same service can help the owner expose fraudulent activities, such as fuel or time logging frauds.

 Myth number 5: Fleet tracking reflects big brother type mistrust

What people say: Fleet tracking breaches the basic rights of professional drivers. The provided data can be misused by the company or sold to third parties. Only company owners with trust issues opt for telematics.

 Reality: Telematics focuses on the use of a company-owned vehicle. It’s not an app installed on the driver’s smartphone that monitors his every move. The goals of fleet tracking include:

  •     Improving fuel efficiency
  •     Monitoring vehicle performance
  •     Complying with regulations
  •     Managing productivity and daily expenses

This technology benefits both owners and drivers. More safe and efficient companies can provide better pay and work environment. Plus, you can always use the data to directly reward safe and environment-friendly driving.

The Bottom Line: Myths about fleet tracking

Many myths and misunderstandings surround telematics services. People present personal opinions as solid facts. In reality, FleetGo lowers costs, improves safety, and increases efficiency.

Telematics can benefit even the smallest companies. They are able to improve customer service, optimize vehicle journeys, and prevent fraud. That’s why digital fleet tracking is a rapidly growing trend with the potential to become an industry standard.

 

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