If you want to put GPS units in your trucks to make sure the guys aren’t goofing off, I recommend that you don’t purchase a “real” GPS system. It will be an impulse decision that won’t cash flow. Usually there is an agreement for several years to cover the initial cost of the equipment, setup, and sometimes installation. Once you finally deal with the driver(s) that are screwing off and fix the root cause or fire them, you never look at the system again.
If all you want is a “Big-Brother” solution, I recommend going to Amazon or eBay and purchasing a cheap battery-operated unit that attaches with a magnet and uses a regular sim. Just stick it on the perpetrator’s truck and get the information you need and then either fire him or her, fix the problem, or just accept what they are doing and go on with life. At least you will know that the reason the fuel costs for a particular driver is that they go to their girlfriend’s house for lunch in another town everyday. If you really need it to work, you could also buy a unit from us (cost is more than the Chinese models) that you can charge up and slap onto a vehicle whenever you want. It is more expensive, but it’s waterproof, the battery lasts longer and is rechargeable, you don’t need a SIM and its an easy install. If you need to ask something, just call us and we will actually talk to you in English.
Here are some reasons to get a GPS system:
The Internet of Things (IoT) is finally real. Like GPS, it had to go through a lot of hype and growing up before it matured to the point of being trusted and useful.
Instead of just location services, today’s technology enables the units to function as IOT gateways. The ongoing value is if someone forgets to pick up a tool they left behind; they get an alert. You know who is driving the truck and how are they are driving. That could be an indicator of a problem that needs to be addressed soon – before an accident or before they quit.
GPS in a vehicle also enables the employee to take the vehicle home so they can be dispatched the first job from their home and prevents them from using the vehicle for personal use. There is a certain amount of Big-Brother that is acceptable. In my opinion, if it brings value to the employee as well as the company, it is a good thing. For example, a dash camera can protect the driver and show that someone targeted him in an accident. A real-time camera can let you know what is happening in the case of a hijacking or during a riot. I never thought we would seriously talk about such things as being necessary, but times have changed, and it isn’t looking too promising that they will go back to the way it used to be.
One of the biggest values of GPS is simply vehicle maintenance. Alerts to change the oil, rotate the tires, and maintenance can go a long way toward the bottom line by reducing fuel, repair, and insurance costs.
Whether you need ELD or not, tracking hours of service for payroll verification and time on the job is probably the biggest single value of a good system. Providing proof of service and accurate times are becoming more and more of an issue as companies utilize 3rd party management services for billing.
We’ve been doing GPS for over 20 years. We’ve watched the industry change and we’ve changed too. If you would like more information, let us know what your needs are and we’ll give you our advice.