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GPS Vehicle Tracking Solutions: Pros & Cons

Last updated : December 13, 2023
Optimise productivity

Notwithstanding the importance of staying ahead of the curve when it comes to growing industry trends, the transportation & logistics sector actually owes a great deal to relatively old technology. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology represents one such instance. It’s likely that you’re already somewhat familiar with GPS’s functionality, and therefore deem it to be rather simple owing to its constant ubiquity for years now.

Indeed, beyond the implied context of what it does for businesses that rely on vehicle fleets, GPS sees regular daily use by people who just need directions to get from A to B. However, basic navigation symbolises only a surface-level understanding of GPS’s capabilities. So that you can comprehensively grasp the matter, we've put together this piece on GPS vehicle tracking which addresses the inherent pros & cons and how there are modern solutions available that inform its practical use in fleet management.

What is GPS Vehicle Tracking?

Fundamentally, GPS tracking is a way of accurately determining the location of a given entity at a given time. Initially developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, it is a satellite-based radionavigation system that was primarily used to afford military intelligence units with positional data. Albeit, today it experiences widespread general use by both civil and commercial bodies. 

In particular, GPS tracking facilitates fleet managers’ awareness of where each individual vehicle within a fleet is exactly, and consequently, how far away they are from their destination point. A high degree of awareness in this area is crucial for businesses who use fleets, for the reason that such data can translate to actionable insights that optimise the productivity of overall operations.

How does GPS Vehicle Tracking Work?

GPS works by how it embodies a network of 31 operational satellites that are currently in orbit. These satellites transmit information relating to location and time which is then received via interfaces that exist on - or near - earth; i.e., smartphones and various other devices. Specifically in regard to GPS vehicle tracking, this calculation process is commonly referred to as either geolocating, geopositioning, or geotracking.

With a recognition of GPS vehicle tracking’s potential, this technology is now typically integrated within purpose-built industry software. Namely, it is a vital part of that which comprises a solution to the essential requirements of the figure of the fleet manager. It is innovations in this respect that keep GPS technology continually adaptable, and so relevant.

The Pros of GPS Vehicle Tracking

Every decision a business makes houses intrinsic advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed up. By maintaining cognisance over potential cons of GPS vehicle tracking, this thereby allows fleet managers to prospectively negate their impact. The select pros of GPS vehicle tracking we’ve picked out are as follows:

Visibility

The foremost benefit of GPS vehicle tracking is the level of visibility it affords. GPS provides accurate & accessible worldwide coverage, and this equates to instantaneous, real-time location transmission. If it were not for GPS, then fleet managers would have to depend on unreliable & inefficient manual updates from drivers.

Safety

Due to GPS vehicle tracking enabling enhanced visibility, followingly implied is an amplification of driver safety. This is because the technology relays indications of on-road incidents, as typified by excessive idle-time. Whether it’s a breakdown or a collision, GPS means that fleet managers can quickly respond to such occurrences.

Security

Vehicle theft happens more often than you’d think at first and, prior to GPS vehicle tracking, it would leave fleet managers in a helpless position. Having a sustained watch on a fleet’s vehicles singularly mitigates these circumstances and permits expeditious recovery. Considering that GPS is rather cost-effective, any monetary resources used to attain the technology are wholly justified by this aspect.

Customer Satisfaction

In the age of online shopping, virtually everyone appreciates knowing accurate ETAs for their deliveries. GPS vehicle tracking makes it easy for fleet managers to offer this information to a business’s clients & customers, and this quality of service will work to strengthen your working relationship with them.

The Cons of GPS Vehicle Tracking

Of course, the regular use of GPS vehicle tracking does bring with it some concerns. We’ve picked out topical points that have to be taken into account if you decide to implement such a system for your business’s vehicle fleet:

Privacy

From a certain perspective, continuous GPS vehicle tracking is viewed as quite contentious. Reason being, that ceaselessly monitoring drivers somewhat strips them of any privacy that they may be accustomed to, as if they were under surveillance for misbehaviour. As such, data transparency, law compliance, and consent is key here.

Signal Disturbances

Although the range of GPS vehicle tracking is expansive, satellite signals aren’t faultless. Receivers can only take on a GPS signal if there are no obstructions. For example, if a driver’s route took them into an underground tunnel then this would disturb the quality of the signal and cause it to drop, albeit, temporarily.

Overdependence

As is the case with anything that promotes convenience, it can be a pitfall to depend on it too heavily. Reliance on technology becomes a problem when the technology fails because it can reveal a rift in skill. If a driver is not used to employing a standard map, or has not assimilated the journey themselves, then inefficient detouring can be the result.

What is vehicle tracking software?

Vehicle tracking software is a tool which enables fleet managers to monitor the real-time location of vehicles. Through integrated hardware, the software collects fleet data on speed, routes, idling durations, and stoppage points before presenting this information in a user-friendly format, offering actionable insights.

What is a GPS fleet tracking system?

A GPS fleet tracking system is a technology that uses GPS devices installed into vehicles to provide real-time monitoring and management of a fleet's location, speed, and other parameters via a centralised software platform. These systems give fleet managers actionable insights into fleet operations.

How does fleet tracking software work?

Fleet tracking software works through an interface between GPS devices in vehicles and a central platform. The devices transmit relevant data in real-time via a cellular network, which is then clearly presented for analysis by fleet managers so that they can make data-driven decisions.

Our Solution

If you want to get the most out of GPS vehicle tracking, then it’s necessary to have a solid solution in place that strives to nullify the aforementioned potential cons, all while guaranteeing your business the pros. MICHELIN Connected Fleet consists only of experts in the field who are equipped to provide you with both the technology, as well as the personal support and data insights that are needed.

Our Solutions simplifies GPS vehicle tracking so that its capacity can stretch further than the basics. Rather than just showing you the location of your drivers, our solutions enable you to plan optimised routes, set up geofenced zones, monitor the fuel of each fleet vehicle, and view up to 10,000 vehicles simultaneously with active alert functionality and historical visibility.

We are dedicated to increasing the overall productivity, sustainability, and safety of vehicle fleets while reducing the involved operational costs. If you’re interested in such a GPS vehicle tracking solution, then be sure to make an enquiry into our services today. Thank you for reading, for more material feel free to look through our resources center which is full of equally useful content.
The MICHELIN Connected Fleet team

Written by The MICHELIN Connected Fleet team

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