With GPS tracking, dispatchers know the exact location of every vehicle in a fleet. This helps them to direct the closest vehicle to any job site. Some GPS tracking solutions go a step further by providing a feature that automatically locates the vehicles nearest to any address.
In addition, dispatchers can ensure drivers take the most direct route to any job site and quickly re-route them should they get lost on a journey. Some GPS tracking solutions also provide real-time traffic reporting so dispatchers can warn drivers of traffic delays and provide rerouting as needed.
To ensure that you get the most efficient dispatching and routing, look closely at the mapping functions of any potential GPS provider. Many solutions offer inaccurate or incomplete mapping. Choose a GPS solution that includes powerful mapping – like Google Maps API – to give you pinpoint accuracy.
Lowering fuel consumption and reducing wear and tear on vehicles through efficient routing is an obvious benefit. But less time spent on the road also means more time spent completing jobs during the day.
2) Monitor Inefficient Employee Practices
Another reason productivity increases with GPS has to do with simple human nature. When employees know that their vehicles are monitored, they tend to drive and work more efficiently. In essence, GPS gives fleet owners the ability to ride along with their drivers. Under direct supervision, employees perform their duties faster and at a higher level.
Some GPS tracking solutions also include features that monitor vehicle idle times and engine status. Business owners can use these tools to ensure that drivers are not wasting extensive time idling in one location or spending an excessive amount of time at a particular job. Combined with an alert function, owners can be notified if a vehicle has idled or remained inoperative after a certain amount of time and quickly determine the cause.
By knowing the location of every vehicle, business owners can also immediately determine if a driver deviates from a direct route to a job site. This eliminates the practice of employees using work hours to complete personal business.
Vehicle monitoring can also help improve productivity by giving business owners a quantitative measurement of employee performance. This works especially well with GPS solutions that provide in-depth historical reporting.
Businesses can use hard data gathered through GPS tracking like The Power of Fleet Intelligence: How Data is Revolutionizing Fleet Management idle times, mileage, speed and engine on time to implement an employee reward program. Bonuses based on tangible performance metrics encourage productivity and boosts morale.
The best GPS solutions provide data reporting that dates back all the way to when a client first begins using the system. In some cases, performance can also be compared between drivers or against the company average.
3) Automate Timesheets and Payroll
A majority of businesses with vehicle fleets rely on manual timesheets to determine payroll. A manual system often opens the door to inaccuracies and falsification of work hours. By automating payroll, business owners can ensure their employees are paid accurately for actual work done.
Many GPS systems track the time when a vehicle starts for the first time during the day, and when a vehicle shuts down for the day. This provides an accurate, automated record of how long an employee worked. In addition, shutoff and startup times during the day can be used to record accurate time spent for lunches and breaks.
Reputable GPS providers include extensive reporting functionality that compiles this information in an easy format that can be used as an electronic timesheet. Integrating this information into back office applications will further increase business efficiencies and reduce administrative costs.