Key Takeaways
Choosing the right vehicle tracking system can revolutionise your fleet operations, delivering substantial productivity, safety, and cost-efficiency benefits. However, selecting the ideal solution requires careful consideration.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, covering essential features, industry-specific considerations and practical tips to help you identify the vehicle tracking system that best aligns with your fleet's requirements.
Table of Contents
- What are Vehicle Trackers?
- Benefit of Vehicle Tracking
- Who Needs Vehicle Tracking Software?
- Selecting the Right Vehicle Tracking Solution
- Vehicle Tracking Device Features
- Vehicle Tracking Software Features
What Are Vehicle Trackers?
Vehicle trackers are GPS devices that allow you to monitor the real-time location of your vehicles. But today, they offer far more than just pinpoints on a map. Vehicle trackers capture data on everything from driver behaviour to fuel consumption and vehicle health. When combined with a fleet management software platform, these trackers provide actionable insights that help owners and operators make informed decisions about their fleet.
Benefits of Vehicle Tracking
Investing in a vehicle tracking solution can transform your fleet operations. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Improve Safety
Vehicle tracking is crucial for monitoring driver safety. By keeping track of driving behaviours such as speeding, harsh acceleration, or sudden braking, fleet managers can identify risky patterns and take proactive measures. Using AI-powered dashcams, even issues like distracted driving can be detected, allowing for timely interventions that prioritise safety. With the ability to replay incidents, managers gain valuable insights for coaching drivers, helping to build a culture of safety across the fleet.
2. Lower Operational Costs
By having real-time access to critical data, businesses can make decisions that directly cut down operational costs. Fleet managers can reduce downtime, minimise unnecessary fuel consumption, and avoid costly repairs by ensuring that vehicles are well-maintained. Digitising everyday tasks—such as job dispatch, route planning, and proof of delivery also reduces administrative overhead and allows the team to focus more on getting the job done.
3. Enhance Productivity
Productivity thrives when your fleet is optimised. With GPS tracking, fleet managers can ensure drivers take efficient routes, reduce idle time, and increase job completion rates. Real-time tracking means that dispatchers can assign jobs to the nearest driver, and advanced workflow tools can automate manual processes to save time and effort.
4. Reduce Fuel Costs
Fuel is one of the biggest costs for any fleet. GPS tracking systems help reduce fuel expenses by monitoring factors like idle time, speeding, and unauthorised vehicle use. Route optimisation tools ensure that drivers take the shortest and most efficient paths, cutting down on unnecessary miles.
5. Simplify Compliance
With GPS tracking in place, fleet managers have the tools to streamline fatigue management through EWD platforms, meet fuel tax requirements and ensure that they’re complying with vehicle inspection regulations. By transitioning compliance processes to automated digital platforms simplifies tasks for drivers and reduces admin time across your workforce.
6. Reduce Carbon Emissions
With many fleet operators focusing on their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, having a mechanism to drive carbon reduction and measure the improvements being made has never been more important. With a GPS vehicle tracking platform, fleet operators can identify fuel waste across their fleet, capture data to inform energy transition plans and measure carbon reduction.
Who Needs Vehicle Tracking Software?
Every business that manages a fleet of vehicles can benefit from vehicle tracking software. Here are several common use cases and how the software helps tackle key challenges faced by these industries.
Logistics and Transportation
Logistics companies handle many different variables—timely deliveries, route efficiency, driver safety, and compliance. GPS vehicle tracking systems provide transparency for dispatchers, offering real-time insights into vehicle location and available drive time. This helps to optimise delivery times and help fleets stay compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. Knowing where each vehicle is allows companies to reduce delays, keep customers satisfied and improve operational efficiency.
Services and Trades
Service businesses such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical services, and even pest control need to know that their team is making the best use of time and resources. Vehicle tracking allows dispatchers to see where vehicles are in real time, helping them allocate new jobs to the closest available driver. Additionally, it enables companies to reduce downtime, optimise routing, and ensure timely service delivery to improve customer satisfaction.
Construction and Heavy Equipment Management
In the construction industry, keeping track of vehicles and equipment is vital for avoiding delays and unnecessary expenses. Construction sites are often complex, with multiple assets on-site that can easily become underutilised or even misplaced. Vehicle tracking ensures you know the location of each piece of equipment, how it’s being used, and whether it’s due for maintenance. With this information, managers can ensure optimal equipment use, reduce idle time, and prevent costly rentals.
Government and Public Services
Public sector fleets, from school buses to emergency vehicles, also benefit from GPS vehicle tracking systems. Government entities must balance efficiency with tight budgets and these systems ensure that resources are used properly, maintenance schedules are met, and drivers are following safe practices.
Selecting the Right Vehicle Tracking Solution
Choosing the right vehicle tracking software starts by understanding your specific needs and matching them with the right features and capabilities. Here’s an overview of the different types of vehicle tracking software solutions available and the types of fleets they are best suited for.
Hardware Type
Vehicle tracking hardware can vary depending on your fleet requirements. Hardwired trackers are designed for heavy-duty vehicles and offer a secure installation with extensive data capabilities. Self-install devices are more suitable for light-duty vehicles and provide flexibility for quick installations. Rugged and battery-powered solutions are great for assets with challenging environments, providing durability without sacrificing functionality. Consider how and where your vehicles will be used when shopping for GPS trackers.
Software Considerations
The software that accompanies your vehicle tracking solution should integrate into the way you work. It is important that the software provides the feature set you require, is easy to use and has the ability to grow with your business. Some of the key items to consider are the availability of workflow apps to streamline processes, the capability to incorporate video telematics and the strength of its reporting and analytics platform.
Support & Training
Beyond hardware and software, it is important that your vehicle tracking solution is backed by training and support. Having access to training and a support network is critical for you to realise the benefits of your solution.
The VT101 is ideal for heavy-duty vehicles that require full fleet management. Backed by the TN360 platform, it offers driver behaviour monitoring, EWD compliance and 4G LTE connectivity.
Top Features
- Hardwired and tamper resistant
- Second-by-second tracking
- Integration with TN360 platform
- Workflow app connectivity
- Connected camera capability
- Harsh driving event alerts
- Engine diagnostics
- 4G LTE connectivity
Best Fit Scenarios
- Logistics and Transportation industries needing compliance with Hours of Service and regulatory tracking.
SI201 Self-Install GPS Vehicle Tracker
The SI201 is perfect for light-duty vehicles and offers second-by-second tracking. It integrates effortlessly with the TN360 platform, making it ideal for smaller fleets needing simple, flexible installation.
Top Features
- Simple plug-and-play installation
- Integration with TN360 platform
- Workflow app connectivity
- Driver behaviour monitoring
- 4G LTE connectivity
Best Fit Scenarios
- Service and Trades businesses where vehicles frequently rotate, such as HVAC or plumbing companies.
RE400 Rugged GPS Tracker
Designed for extreme conditions, the RE400 is built for heavy equipment. It captures real-time data on equipment use and maintenance, helping managers optimise performance. The device connects into the TN360 application that transforms detailed engine management data into actionable reports and alerts.
Top Features
- Rugged design
- Second-by-second updates
- Detailed engine management data
Best Fit Scenarios
- Construction and heavy equipment fleets
RE200 Rugged GPS Tracker
The RE200 is a versatile asset tracker for all-weather conditions, collecting data from GPS, GPIO and CAN bus. It delivers real-time information via the TN360 platform, ensuring all equipment is utilised effectively and fully maintained.
Top Features
- Multi-source data capture
- Rugged all-weather use
- Real-time tracking
Best Fit Scenarios
- Heavy Duty Machinery
Vehicle Tracking Software Features
Vehicle tracking platforms transform the data collected from the array of gps tracking devices, turning raw data into meaningful insights. The leading software offers comprehensive features including:
- Real-time location tracking. Monitor every vehicle with second-by-second updates.
- Set virtual boundaries and receive alerts when a vehicle crosses them.
- Maintenance Scheduling. Automate maintenance tasks based on mileage, engine hours, or failed inspections.
- Advanced Analytics. Turn data into decisions with customisable reports.
- Carbon Reporting. The ability to monitor carbon emissions and identify opportunities for improvement
- Driver Scorecards. Shareable scorecards that rank driver performance against targets and peers.
- Compliance Tools. Including EWD, fuel tax management and vehicle inspections.
- Workflow Apps. Simplify paper based processes with digital applications that seamlessly integrate into business workflows.
- Integrated Video Telematics. Access video telematics data and footage to protect drivers and inform coaching.
- Software Integrations. Seamlessly integrate TN360 with existing systems for a unified visibility and increased efficiency.
For more information about the functionality of our solutions check out our Vehicle Tracking Systems page.
Why Choose Teletrac Navman?
At Teletrac Navman, our commitment goes beyond offering industry-leading vehicle tracking solutions. We provide a comprehensive fleet management ecosystem designed to streamline your entire operation. The TN360 platform delivers real-time visibility into your vehicles and assets, integrating advanced GPS tracking, maintenance management, compliance monitoring, and dispatch solutions into one user-friendly system. Whether your fleet needs rugged, professionally installed tracking devices for heavy-duty vehicles or easy-to-install plug-and-play units for light-duty trucks, we have versatile options that adapt to your unique business needs.
In addition to offering cutting-edge technology, we prioritise customer support every step of the way. Our team is here to assist with every step of the process—from choosing the right solution and installation to training and ongoing support—to ensure you get the most out of your investment. We’re more than a vendor—we are a partner committed to helping you enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and improve driver safety across your entire fleet.
- Our vehicle tracking solutions can track light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, service vans, construction equipment, and virtually any other vehicle or asset in your fleet.
- Yes, our systems allow you to monitor driver behaviors like speeding, harsh braking, and cornering. This data helps promote safety and improve fleet performance.
- All our devices provide second-by-second GPS updates for real-time location tracking.
- Vehicle tracking software helps optimize routes, manage driver behavior, automate maintenance schedules, and prevent unauthorized vehicle use, providing comprehensive visibility and control.
- Yes, the system sends alerts for geofencing events, unauthorized movement, harsh driving, maintenance reminders, and more.
- This will depend largely on which type of GPS tracking devices you choose to use. Some are designed for self-installation into a vehicles OBDII port and are also easy to move from one vehicle to another as needed. Others are hardwired into the electrical system on your vehicles, typically requiring professional installation. You can learn more in our guide explaining the differences between vehicle tracking devices.
- This will vary depending on a number of factors - including the size of your fleet and what your long-term goals for GPS vehicle tracking solutions happen to be. This is why, at Teletrac Navman, we prefer to first learn as much about your business as possible so that we can come up with the custom vehicle tracking system to meet your needs.
- Yes, TN360 is accessible via mobile apps, allowing you to manage your fleet from anywhere at any time.
- The data is highly secure, with encryption protocols in place to protect against unauthorized access, both at rest and during transmission.
- No, our TN360 platform scales with your fleet, providing flexibility to monitor as many vehicles as you need.
- Yes, you can set up automated alerts for maintenance tasks based on engine hours, mileage, or diagnostic trouble codes.
- Yes, you can integrate a wide range of camera solutions and use AI capabilities to monitor driver behavior. Video footage can be accessed in the software and even shared with drivers via coaching apps.