.: GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems: Do I Need One?
By:Ken Sink
Category:Home / Technology / GPS
GPS vehicle tracking systems are more affordable and more popular than ever before, but do you need one? Take this short quiz and keep track of your 'yes' answers. I’ll help you total your score and decide after you finish.
Step One: Take Quiz
1. Do I use vehicles in my business? Yes/No
(The definition of 'vehicles' includes heavy, medium and light-duty vehicles, construction equipment (dozers, graders, backhoes, etc), cars, motorcycles, RV's, pick-up trucks, vans, tractor trailers, buses, trailers, dump trucks, snow plows, limousines, taxis, etc.)
2. Have any of my vehicles been stolen in the past? Yes/No
3. I'd like to know what is going on and where my employees/vehicles are during the day: Yes/No
4. I'd like to reduce my fuel expenses and know if any of my vehicles are wasting gas: Yes/No
5. Being able to give my customers accurate and precise arrival/delivery estimates is important to me: Yes/No
6. It is important to know if any of my vehicles are used after hours or on weekends for non-business purposes: Yes/No
7. I'd like save up to 30% on my vehicle insurance: Yes/No
8. It is important to know if my employees are speeding or otherwise abusing my vehicles: Yes/No
9. If any of my employees are using my vehicles to 'moonlight' or do work without my knowledge, I'd want to know: Yes/No
10. Knowing about mechanical problems before they become expensive to fix is important: Yes/No
11. If any of my vehicles are ever stolen, I'd like to locate them within minutes: Yes/No
12. I'd like to have vehicle use data to compare with overtime requests as a way to guard against errors and fraud: Yes/No
13. I'd like a reminder when it is time to do routine maintenance on my vehicles: Yes/No
14. Occasionally, customers question when we were at their location, having the exact date and time recorded in our tracking system would really help in those cases: Yes/No
15. I'd like to help my employees be more productive by seeing where they go each day: Yes/No
Step Two: Total Your ‘Yes’ Answers
Add up your 'yes' answers.
* Fewer than 7 'yes' answers:Thanks for taking the quiz, you don't appear to want/need a vehicle tracking system.
* 7 to 11 'yes' answers: Thanks for taking the quiz. You could greatly benefit from a vehicle tracking system.
* More than 11 'yes' answers: Thanks for taking the quiz. You need a vehicle tracking system.
By the way, every question above (except question 1 & 2) is answered by using GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Step Three: Cost vs. Gain
The average business owner recoups their investment in GPS vehicle tracking systems within 6 – 12 months after purchase. Of course, your ROI may vary. Recovering one stolen vehicle may pay for your entire tracking system.
Vehicle tracking helps you reduce operating costs and boosts productivity.
Tracking systems reduce vehicle costs by putting a spotlight on speeding employees, who waste fuel, cause excessive engine wear and drive up insurance rates. Vehicle tracking systems will also remind you when it’s time for preventive maintenance, like oil changes, helping you keep your vehicles on the road and making you money.
GPS vehicle tracking systems improve productivity by:
* documenting long lunch hours,
* exposing unauthorized breaks,
* comparing driver overtime requests with system reports of driver activity,
* highlighting unauthorized vehicle use after hours and on weekends,
* eliminating driver logs.
Many insurance companies offer discounts of up to 30% for vehicles protected with tracking systems.
Step Four: Due Diligence
GPS vehicle tracking systems are outstanding tools for vehicle and fleet management, but you need to find the right system for you. Take a look at the different types of GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Check a company’s hardware and software, as well as their monthly data access plan. You’ll also need to decide whether to buy or lease your GPS tracking system.
Good luck.
Article keywords: gps vehicle tracking, gps tracking, vehicle tracking, fleet management, business management
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Ken Sink, owner of My Vehicle WatchDog, is a veteran with 20+ years of transportation experience, including fleet management of over 800 vehicles. Visit www.MyVehicleWatchDog.Info for more information about GPS vehicle tracking systems from Fleet Management Solutions, Networkfleet and Sprint/Nextel.
.: New GPS Articles
1). GPS Tracking System - Safety for Your Kids and Peace of Mind for You
Has your kid recently obtained a driving license? Now you are probably constantly worried if she or he is driving safely. And you also wonder where they go. There is a little piece of modern technology that can help parents who are worried about whereabouts of their children - it is called GPS tracking system.
2). GPS and Other Emergency Contact Devices
This article contains infomation about GPS and other emergency contact devices.
3). Satellite Phone Benefits and Information
Satellite telephones are the ultimate communication device when you need contact in a remote and secluded part of the earth. State-of-the-art modern technology has ensured that no matter where we are located we can connect to all parts of the World in a matter of seconds.
4). Erase "Lost" From Your Vocabulary, Get GPS
GPS is the new-age device that helps you, like some omnipresent being, know where you or your vehicle are every minute of the day and night.
5). Overview of Satellite Navigation Systems
Reading a map and trying to find out where on earth you are before realising you are well and truly lost may be a thing of the past. No longer do you have to be capable of reading a map thanks to satellite navigation systems.
6). Automotive Navigation System Making Driving Less Stressful
Driving has become a lot easier with the introduction of automotive navigation system. Now you do not have to worry while you drive because this system makes sure that you reach your desired destination without wandering aimlessly.
7). Consumer Reports on GPS: What the Experts Have to Say
Consumer reports on GPS (Global Positioning System) devices say that GPS locators can be a very handy and fun device to own for both professional and recreational purposes.
.: Top GPS Articles
1). Tracking Your Children With GPS
From the moment children are born their parents naturally worry about them. Are they hungry? Are they warm enough? Are they sick?
Soon parents face the surrounding dangers as toddlers start to crawl, walk and run. The hazards seem to be everywhere. As any parent knows, the concerns only become deeper seated as children get older. Safety is all a parent can think about - especially when their children are not with them.
2). GPS Handheld Mapping Devices - What Is The Difference?
So many companies that offered GPS handheld mapping devices are operated today. Some of them are just among those many outstanding GPS handheld mapping providers such as Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, and much more.
3). Using GPS for Fishing!
Some things you can do with GPS on your fishing trip include:
1. Patterning
2. Recording casting areas, scouted regions, and shoals
3. Plot exact coordinates of that 'perfect fishing spot' and go back whenever you'd like
4. Add your own journal, notes, and even digital pictures memorable locales
5. Create your own custom routes as well as maps
6. Use the GPS as a planner prior to voyaging off on the trip
7.
4). GPS Tracking--the Smart Way to Protect Your Child
Whether it is your vehicle or your child, there are GPS tracking devices that can help you keep track of or locate them anytime, anywhere. It is more dangerous today for your children than at any other time in history. So putting a small GPS tracking device on their person to keep track of them is not as silly as it might sound. Today’s GPS tracking devices no longer require a line of site to the sky in order to work.
5). Global Positioning System (GPS) : A Complete Review
The system of knowing one's exact position on this earth is known as the 'Global Positioning System'. Precise positioning of any location can easily be done with the help of this System. If anyone has a Global Positioning System receiver and if the sky remains clear then no one is going to be lost on this Earth. The receiver is a pocket-sized gadget that makes us inform about our exact position on this earth at any moment.
6). GPS: Applications And Uses
What are the uses for GPS? There are many, both for individuals, corporations, and the government.
Military
The military uses GPS technology to guide missiles, track and control forces and facilities, and more. GPS has allowed command and control of forces to greatly advance their effectiveness. Using GPS, units can report their exact location to command central, and easily find directions to other locations.
7). Do You Know Where Your Teen Is? You Do With Spy Matrix GPS
Spy Matrix GPS is the ultimate in car tracking technology. It is easy to use, easy to hide, and easy to follow. It is the perfect way for you to know where your car is now, and where you car was. Plus, this is a portable device, allowing you to transfer it to different cars at need. You can have peace of mind knowing where your car is it all times. And when you have teenagers, you can know where they have your car, thanks to the Spy Matrix GPS.