How Your Supply Chains Benefit From Fleet Tracking
In the old days of shipping, you would give a driver a destination, and through experience and a stack of state road maps, they would, most likely, get the shipment where it needed to go.
Technology changed everything, and it still does. In the last 20-30 years, business functions have undergone a complete change. Accounting has become automated, plant scheduling is mainly done by computer forecasts, and logistics are planned and executed using the latest GPS and fleet tracking software. This streamlines what was once a very complicated manual process, and it also lowers the overall cost of managing and maintaining a supply chain.
This blog will take a closer look at what fleet tracking software does, what the major benefits are to shippers, and how Sheer Logistics can use fleet tracking technology to modernize your shipping and turn it into a powerful business advantage.
Why is Truck Fleet Tracking Important?
For North American businesses, a supply chain means trucks—dig a bit deeper and you will see a galaxy of different standards and procedures. How a company gets products and materials from one place to another is a question with multiple right answers and even more wrong ones.
At one time, a logistics department was responsible for drivers, driver training, equipment optimization, invoicing, route scheduling, vehicle maintenance, and even customer service—all done through manual processes. These functions were required just to get the shipments where they needed to go. It was even more time consuming to collect data and analyze it to look for ways to improve.
Technology changes all of that.
Through GPS technology, telematics, automated data collection, and proven logistics best practices, any business can transform outdated processes and streamline them. From local florists with a handful of delivery trucks to global conglomerates that use thousands of trucks and multiple modes of transportation, fleet tracking allows for better management of literal moving parts.
Modern fleet tracking services are the real-time tracking of a fleet’s assets using global positioning systems. Location data is sent by tracking devices in each vehicle to a central server. Also known as telematics, fleet tracking has grown into an essential tool. Fleet tracking transmits the smallest details about a vehicle, including position, speed, idling, fuel use, seat belt use, vehicle faults, and tire pressure—even the favorite radio station of a driver is measured, reported, and stored! While this may seem like micromanagement, it is essential technology of fleet management as the data gathered allows a business to answer key questions such as:
- How can we reduce the amount of fuel we use?
- Are drivers completing their routes efficiently?
- How much time and energy are wasted by idling?
The goal is to save money, and when a business relies on outdated technology and manual processes, it will never get accurate answers. And this is only the beginning.
What are the Benefits of Fleet GPS Tracking Software?
A good fleet management system is based on a number of advantages, mostly intended to protect the driver, the equipment, and the shipment while automatically collecting data.
Reduce Fuel Costs
While many fleets are starting to switch to electric vehicles in 2022, fuel expenses are still a major cost driver for fleet businesses. Built-in tools, such as fleet GPS tracking, help reduce overall costs by providing valuable insight into a fleet, including how fuel efficient a vehicle is. While a business can’t influence diesel prices, data collected over time may be the evidence needed to sway a change to electric vehicles.
Optimize Routes
GPS software gives managers the ability to visually plan out routes that are both effective and efficient. Information about mapping, fuel usage, and other factors, information that in the past was either unavailable or difficult to collect, is immediately available, meaning that fleet productivity is maximized.
Remote Fleet Management
The most visible aspect of fleet tracking is the ability to see and control vehicles that are scattered across the continent. This obviously benefits fleet managers, but it also gives customers the visibility to see where their shipments are so they can anticipate their arrival and plan accordingly.
Better Vehicle Maintenance
In the past, minor vehicle maintenance issues were discovered and addressed after a trip was over, but through GPS, fleet managers can monitor performance and address potential maintenance issues long before they become costly repairs. Staying on top of factors like mileage, tire wear, braking habits, and oil changes increases the lifespan of the vehicle.
Improve Driver Safety
Fleet management software often includes a driving behavior component, which can even include a video recording feature. Fleet drivers’ habits and behaviors can be monitored, helping prevent damage and improve safety.
Sheer Logistics Is Your First Step To Modernization
The benefits of fleet tracking software are many, and the sooner your business makes the transition to modern technology, the better your supply chains become. It’s time to get rid of the inaccurate spreadsheets and clunky shipping procedures that impair your logistics and shipping. Sheer Logistics has a better way of organizing your supply chains and improving how you transport products and materials to where they need to go.
It’s no secret technology drives modern businesses, and our job is to find and integrate the right fleet-tracking software to simplify your processes. From data collection and analysis to precise scheduling with real-time visibility, transportation management software always results in a higher shipping IQ. Reach out to Sheer today, and let’s start thinking logistically.
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