Location Tracking – The Modern Way
Location Tracking is the use of modern tech to track, record and monitor the real-time movement of anything that improves existing processes and efficiencies.
Nowadays, this type of technology – eg GPS – can track all “moving elements” to improve logistics, create Smart-City living, improve safety protocol, improve manufacturing processes (etc).
Location Tracking enables firms to record the movement of “value-generating elements” eg its workforce, its assets (vehicles, machinery, goods), its workflows. These could be indoors (eg factories, project sites) or at far-flung locations (eg vehicles delivering goods).
In short, location tracking supplies Management with detailed data to control and improve their existing methods.
Leading Advantages of using GPS Tracking Software:
- Optimal operating efficiency
- Increases company profitability
- Workforce convenience
- Improves safety records, prevents lawsuits
- Eliminates illegal practices (free trips, unauthorized charges)
Best Practices: Managing Driver & Vehicle Movement
Companies invest vast amounts in their fleet, eg: employee buses, vans, heavy vehicles (etc). since it is critical to their operations. But, hold on – what about the people that man these vehicles? As a company, are you investing enough effort and funds to make sure that they are managing your expensive assets properly?
If you don’t have competent drivers, technicians, operators that can operate these vehicles correctly, you’ve created a huge problem for yourself!
Modern tracking tech such as GPS tracking and monitoring, supplies Managers with vast amounts of rich data that is mined to generate invaluable insight for decision makers like Transport & Fleet Managers.
This insight helps them in operating an efficient & safe transport system for their employees while eliminating errant employees, inefficient processes, and recurring errors that add cost and undermine workforce safety.
GPS tracking software for Fleet Management is a sound investment to manage your drivers and vehicles. Often, just knowing that they are being monitored is sufficient to reduce incorrect driving. Improvements between 50-100% are often seen in incidents related to driver error and poor route scheduling.
1. Driver Accountability
Monitoring your fleet drivers identifies those that exhibit (even) occasional risky driving or stray from the prescribed rules & regulations.
Accidents don’t occur every day but once they do, it is often too late to save a life or repair the damage caused…
2.Real-time Alerts
GPS-enabled fleet tracking software includes features like real-time alerts. Transport Managers can thus track their fleet vehicles and drivers whenever a “deviation” occurs.
These GPS tracking systems are flexible enough to allow real-time monitoring via devices of your choice (smartphone, laptop, tablet, central monitoring room).
However, since Managers cannot be expected to watch the fleet 24*7, an efficient system is to set up alerts only when a driver breaches the prescribed “boundary conditions”.
Transport Managers create rules based on company policy to set off alerts (eg via text messages) whenever there is a breach by a driver.
3.In-Vehicle Cameras
Cameras installed within fleet vehicles can record 24*7.
Front-facing and driver-facing cameras enable Fleet Managers to ensure drivers adhere to the prescribed policies.
Video recordings of driver behavior, both, safe and unsafe, helps in correcting bad driving, improving mediocre drivers, and using examples set by the good drivers for others to emulate.
Cameras actually support drivers: Importantly, such cameras help drivers –tremendously- in cases where accidents weren’t their fault, emergency deviations were unavoidable, or even when falsely accused of misdemeanor by passengers (etc). Your drivers will have the confidence that you are looking out for them, too.
4.Driver Intimation & Forewarning
Real-time alerts are helpful but getting out the information to the driver may not be possible since he is driving and distracting him with a phone call or text message would be fraught with danger.
Using automatic audio alerts within the vehicle whenever there is a policy violation is a solid way to achieve this. Every time a violation occurs, the automated system triggers a “warning message” for the drivers.
5.“Balanced Scorecards” for Driver
Balanced Scorecards for drivers is a great way to track each driver across various performance metrics. These include timeliness, speeds, fuel-usage, vehicle records and driver behavior.
Leading GPS tracking software organize these reports by driver, even if they often switch their vehicles for different routes.
6. Be Transparent, Be Honest
Employees are always wary of anything that “monitors” them! Address such concerns by explaining the benefits clearly and outlining company privacy policy.
People buy in quickly when they realize how the change benefits them.
Outlining benefits to your employees (including your drivers) such as zero-paperwork, emergency help dispatch, live updates (etc) will help.
7. Rewards & Payouts
Use GPS tracking software to reward good driving records and not as a “penalty” for bad driving.
Motivating employees with incentives for desired performances not only improves workplace morale but also creates a strong, goal-oriented work culture.
You’d rather your drivers perform well for incentive versus not break rules for fear!
Eg. driver bonus for zero speeding incidents, salary increases for safe driving, good behavior.
8. The “Zero-Exception” Rule
This method means “no news is good news”. Drivers must be encouraged to maintain “zero-exception” records – or near such.
This creates a goal-oriented and organized work environment. Correct the drivers that need correction, so that your employees are aware that company metrics must be maintained. But, again, use the vast insightful data that GPS tracking software provides in a positive manner and not as a “punishment” tool.
Drivers must realize that the data is for their improvement, for them to earn performance bonuses, and not for showing them down. This helps employee morale, makes them feel valued.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, tracking Drivers & Vehicle Operators is for improvement – both, for them and the business.
Use GPS Tracking Software to improve safety protocol, optimize operating efficiency, and, most importantly, show your employees how much you value and support them as they go about their tasks. You will see how motivated they will become to achieve wonders for the business!
