Cost-Effective Ways to Implement GPS Tracking in Small Businesses
GPS is a satellite-based technology that allows tracking of an object or person. It provides information on where something is, when it is there and how fast it’s moving.
GPS tracking devices can record employee work hours, ensuring compliance with labor laws and streamlining payroll procedures. It can also reduce time theft, improving productivity and raising output.
- Implementation
Streamlining business processes and incorporating GPS small business tracking into daily operations can boost productivity and profitability. But implementing a system is more than just setting up GPS devices and software. You must ensure employees understand how to use the equipment and provide comprehensive training. You may also need to address legal and privacy issues related to employee monitoring.
Reduced operational costs
GPS fleet tracking can help lower operating expenses by improving efficiency and reducing maintenance expenses. For example, using vehicle location data to detect unauthorized vehicle usage can prevent theft, while alerts on long-idling times and route deviations can reduce fuel waste.
GPS tracking can also help you improve customer communication by providing accurate ETAs. This helps reduce customer anxiety and can increase loyalty and customer satisfaction. Additionally, GPS solutions such as Samsara can enable you to share live tracking links with customers that allow them to track the delivery status of their order. This eliminates the need for back-and-forth calls between your drivers and customers.
- Integration
Small businesses can streamline procedures and obtain reliable data by integrating GPS tracking with current fleet management or dispatch systems. This enables automatic transfer of data between systems, decreasing errors and inconsistent data entry.
GPS tracking helps reduce fuel costs by identifying wasted idling time and coaching drivers on how to improve efficiency. Additionally, it allows for better maintenance scheduling to minimize vehicle downtime. Ultimately, these cost reductions increase the number of customers that can be served, leading to greater revenue.
To ensure the system stays effective, it’s important to designate a point person who can oversee all aspects of the GPS system. This individual will be responsible for training staff, monitoring vehicles and assets, and analyzing and disseminating reports. They will also help communicate best practices and system updates. Ideally, this role will include a manager or other senior-level employee who is well-versed in the technology. This ensures that the business can receive the full value of their investment in GPS tracking.
- Training
Many small businesses suffer from buyer’s remorse when they fail to establish the proper structure to run their GPS vehicle tracking system. Designate a point person to learn the system, monitor vehicles and assets, schedule reports and analyze data. This person should also liaise with internal management, drivers and the GPS provider.
A GPS tracking system’s driver monitoring features allow business owners to identify unsafe driving behaviors such as harsh braking, excessive idling and route deviation. These alerts can help improve efficiency and safety, while reducing fuel wastage and theft.
GPS tracking systems also enable businesses to streamline work allocation procedures and increase productivity through real-time visibility into the location of vehicles and equipment. This boosts customer satisfaction and reduces back-office costs associated with paperwork, proof of delivery and other administrative tasks. Moreover, businesses can analyze and share data with other systems to enhance operational effectiveness and customer service. Hence, GPS technology is an invaluable asset for small businesses looking to maximize profits and minimize expenses.
- Maintenance
Businesses can save a considerable amount of money with a GPS tracking system. These systems can lower operational costs through improved management and logistics, reduced fuel consumption (by monitoring idling, keeping vehicles in top condition and planning better routes), fewer breakdowns and more accurate job dispatch.
Tracking can also improve safety for employees as it provides visibility into employee travel and location. This allows companies to identify risky driving behaviors like speeding or excessive idling and help them correct them. It can also ensure that employees follow company policy on unauthorized stops and detours.
To keep the system running smoothly, businesses must continuously educate employees on how it works and its benefits. The best way to do this is to offer training sessions that are easily accessible and communicate system updates and best practices to ensure staff stay informed and engaged. This will also help to encourage accountability and promote positive behavior. Lastly, GPS tracking can reduce labor expenses by providing visibility into start and end times for jobs and eliminating the need to manually check timesheets.