Best GPS Fleet Tracking for Small Businesses

The needs of a smaller fleet can differ from those of a larger one, so how do you know which type of GPS tracking solution is ideal for the number of vehicles you operate and manage? 

When you think about fleet management, you picture big yards full of vehicles. However, even businesses with only a few vehicles on the road must manage their fleets daily. Small businesses with fleets benefit from using telematics and GPS fleet tracking as much as large ones. Choosing the best GPS fleet tracking device for your small business can give you a competitive edge. 

How Small Business Fleets' Needs Can Differ Compared to Large Fleet Companies 

When you operate a small fleet, not only do you have the same concerns as the fleet manager of a larger fleet, but you are often handling more responsibilities than just managing the fleet. Often, small fleets are not overseen by dedicated fleet managers. Instead, this job often falls to someone in operations, accounting, or even the owner. Though important, fleet management is often an extra responsibility they take on in addition to other responsibilities. In a small fleet, fleet managers must wear many more hats. And they often end up with many more headaches and sleepless nights. 

Examples of Small Fleet Companies 

Below are several types of small businesses that can benefit from GPS fleet tracking and gain a competitive edge in their industry: 

• Plumbers 
• Landscapers 
• Contractors 
• HVAC Technicians 
• Cable, phone, and utility providers 
• Restaurant delivery 
• Towing companies 

Challenges Faced by Small Fleet Companies 

Just because a fleet is smaller doesn't mean its operations are easier. Managers of smaller fleets often face unique challenges due to limited resources. Making sure your customers get the best possible service, dealing with budget limitations, and keeping your business competitive is a balancing act. If even one area is out of balance, it will affect the entire business. There is much less room for error for businesses with small fleets. 

Benefits of the Best GPS Fleet Tracking for Small Business 

GPS tracking solutions offer benefits that go beyond telling you where your vehicles are. With a telematics system, you'll gain insight into your drivers' behaviour on the road, be able to schedule maintenance alerts, and more. 

Reduce Fuel Costs 

Fuel prices are always volatile, and you never know when they will fluctuate wildly. You can't control them, so you are at their mercy. However, you can curb driving behaviours that can drive your fuel costs up. Harsh braking and accelerating excess idling, and speeding are all driving behaviours that can cause excess fuel usage. 

Automate Your Maintenance Schedule 

It is especially important for a small fleet to keep its vehicles on the road. Unexpected breakdowns that delay or prevent your vehicles from being on the road can really throw a wrench in your schedule. With fleet management telematics, you can automate your maintenance schedule based on the parameters you prefer. This way, you can schedule maintenance at your convenience and rearrange your drivers' schedules accordingly. 

You can ensure that your tyres are properly inflated, making them safer and last longer. You can also preschedule oil changes, filter changes, tyre alignments, and spark plug replacements on time so that your vehicles run better and more efficiently. 

Since the device is connected to your vehicle's engine, you can also set alerts based on the engine’s performance and resolve issues before they occur. Well-maintained vehicles run better, use less fuel, and last longer. 

Optimise Your Routes 

Getting your vehicles where they need to be on time is key for smaller fleets. With fleet management telematics, you can optimise their routes so that they are sent to the jobs that are nearest to their current location. You can group all their jobs so that they spend less time travelling and more time on the job. 

You can also ensure that they take routes with less traffic to avoid excessive idling. This will give your drivers enough time to get to their job locations, reducing the incidence of speeding. You can also reroute your teams if needed when one vehicle is delayed or an emergency call comes in. 

Eliminate Unauthorised Vehicle Usage 

Whenever your business vehicles are driven for personal use, your company's fuel is wasted. A telematics tracking system can help you reduce unauthorised vehicle use. You can monitor exactly when a driver starts or finishes a job with your system's driver ID system. GPS tracking lets you see where they stop and if they take unauthorised detours or run personal errands. You can also use the geofencing feature to set alerts that let you know if your vehicles travel outside preset boundaries and find out why. 

Improve Driver Retention and Safety 

Driver turnover is a big issue in fleets of all sizes, but especially so for small fleets. One of the most common sources of driver turnover is due to disciplinary issues. With telematics, you can reduce disciplinary problems and driver turnover. Training is key to keeping your drivers. You can use data from your system to help your drivers improve, develop a safety culture, and possibly lower insurance premiums. Ensuring your drivers have the tools they need to do their jobs better will lower their stress levels, increase job satisfaction, and reduce driver turnover. 

Implementing a driver training programme helps you improve fleet safety, manage risk, and increase drivers' job satisfaction. Crash incidents will decrease, and your vehicles will run more efficiently and longer. 

Payroll 

Timesheet fraud is real. Not only does it cost you money, but it can result in customers being billed incorrectly. You can avoid this by using a telematics system that generates reports on start and finish times, hours and days worked, average hours and more. 

Robust Reporting That Benefits Small Fleets 

Your telematics systems collect a lot of data, so of course, you'll want to use it. You can get reports on metrics such as: 

• Which drivers are speeding, excessively idling, harsh braking and more 
• Driver scores to track and evaluate driver performance for training purposes 
• Fuel usage and behaviours that may contribute to excess fuel usage so that you can take steps to reduce it 
• Vehicle movement, routes, arrival and departure times, and utilisation of assets 
• Engine hours for accurate maintenance and repair scheduling that reduces potential vehicle downtime 

Managed small fleets present many challenges. Getting the best GPS fleet tracking system can help small businesses keep fleets running while managing other responsibilities.