What are the Essential Features of a Vehicle Tracking System?

The vehicle tracking system uses the latest technology that shows the location of a vehicle in real-time or historically. The Global Positioning System, or GPS, consists of a network of satellites that send out signals. The receiver in a GPS tracking device installed in your vehicle picks up these signals from several of these satellites. With signals from multiple satellites, the software can determine the exact location of the vehicle.

However, vehicle GPS tracking software does more than just show the current location of a vehicle. It can also record the route the vehicle has traveled, how long it stayed at each stop, and even information about the vehicle itself, like speed or engine status. In this article, we will explain the most important features of vehicle GPS tracking software and how important they are to your fleet management.

Eight Must-Have Features of the Best Vehicle Tracking Software

GPS vehicle tracking system, undeniably, is important, and when you’re picking one, there are 8 key features to look at. These features not only make your work easier but also help in the financial growth of your business.

1. Real-Time Tracking: One of the most important features of a vehicle tracking system is its real-time tracking ability. This ensures you know the exact location of your vehicles at any given time. Examples showcasing this feature are food delivery or cab services like Uber or Zomato, which can provide estimated time of arrival for their services, and customers can also track the movement of their assigned vehicle.
2. 2. Quality of Alerts: Vehicle tracking systems should be able to deliver immediate alerts about various occurrences like unauthorized use, route deviations, over-speeding, etc. For instance, in logistics companies, real-time notifications on route deviations can assist in taking immediate action to prevent potential delays or mishaps.
3. Geofencing: This feature enables the defining of geographical boundaries for vehicle movements. If a vehicle crosses this pre-set boundary, the system sends automated alerts and notifications to the users. You can use this with the vehicles, to ensure they do not enter a certain restricted area marked by you.
4. Historical Data: Keeping track of historical data is known to be very important for analyzing vehicle performance, driver behavior, fuel consumption, and much more. For example, a trucking company could analyze the historical data to find ways to increase efficiency and save fuel costs.
5. User-friendly Interface: A good vehicle tracking system should be easy to use and navigate. A user-friendly interface increases the system’s utility and efficiency. Amazon’s delivery system is a prime example of the same. The simplistic design allows drivers to easily navigate and manage deliveries, contributing to Amazon’s successful on-time delivery rate.
6. Quality of Reports: The system should be able to generate insightful reports of vehicle usage, maintenance schedules, fuel usage, and driver behavior. FMCG businesses, for instance, can utilize these reports for efficient scheduling and maintenance, driving down unnecessary costs and improving customer service by ensuring timely deliveries.
7. Data Security: This is to ensure the information of your vehicles is kept safe and is not easily accessible. You wouldn’t want others to know where your vehicle is unless it’s necessary, right? These features, when put into use, make things much easier and secure for us.
8. Driver Monitoring Software: The software also promotes safety through driver behavior monitoring. This feature would be essential for organizations that value the safety of their fleet drivers. For example, they can use the software to monitor their drivers’ speed or sudden braking, ensuring they comply with traffic rules.

Why Customization is an Integrated Part of Vehicle Tracking System

Customizable alerts in fleet management are important due to their many factors which are:

1. Safety Enhancements: In fleet management, the safety of drivers, passengers, and assets ranks highest among concerns. Customizable alerts notify you instantly about unsafe behaviors like harsh braking, speeding, or leaving pre-defined areas (geofences). For example, if a driver breaks the speed limit, the fleet manager can receive an immediate alert, allowing them to address the issue promptly.
2. Boost Operational Efficiency: With these timely alerts, fleet managers can keep track of various aspects of their fleet in real-time. For example, they can get alerts related to maintenance needs to help keep the vehicles in good working condition. Take a vehicle oil-change alert. Ignoring this could lead to early vehicle wear and tear, but when acted upon promptly, it helps to extend the vehicle’s lifespan.
3. Asset Protection: Customizable alerts can also help protect your fleet from theft or misuse. For instance, if a vehicle is moved from its location outside operational hours, an alert can inform the fleet manager, enabling them to quickly investigate.
4. Fuel Efficiency: These alerts can help monitor fuel consumption. For example, prolonged idling is a common cause of unnecessary fuel waste. By setting an alert for when a vehicle idles longer than a predefined time frame, you can save on excessive fuel costs.
5. Real-time Updates: Customizable alerts help get insightful real-time data, such as route deviations or unexpected stops. This helps in providing prompt client updates or making necessary adjustments for providing the best service delivery.

Read Blog: 6 Types of Vehicle GPS Trackers – For Fast & Accurate Tracking

Before You Go!

When choosing GPS vehicle tracking software, there are several important factors to consider.

Remember, a vehicle tracking system is not just about locating vehicles but it serves as a complete package in helping you with better fleet management, improved efficiency, and safety. So, why not choose TrackoBit? Since they provide software with a combination of all the above-mentioned features that will optimize your operations, improve safety, and increase profit margins.