Choosing a Tracking System: Part 4 - Moving Forward

So now you have chosen a tracking system, implemented it, and analyzed the data. What’s next? That’s up to the goals that you set for yourself. For the last part of this series, it’s time to look at what you have accomplished and what still needs improvement. Ask yourself these questions:

1.       Have you been successful in measuring the data you need?

2.       Have you met the goals set for your fleet?

3.       Are the changes you've made affecting your data the way you anticipated?

If your answer to any of these questions was “No”, then it’s time to re-evaluate your process. The change you need may require going back to the beginning of your process and choosing new metrics to measure your data. Or maybe a change that you thought would have a positive effect is actually making things worse. When trying to fix it, don’t just make guesses! Use your data analysis process to determine exactly why that change had unexpected results.

Making the most out of your GPS tracking system is an ongoing process. By continually evaluating and implementing changes, you can constantly improve the efficiency of your fleet operations.

 Still not sure if GPS tracking is the right choice for your fleet? Check out FoxTrax’s extensive list of benefits our customers experience when using our tracking system. 

FoxTrax GPS Fleet Tracking Clever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Choosing a Tracking System: Part 3 - Analyze Data

For the third part of our May blog series we’ll discuss analyzing your fleet data. Analyzing data in a helpful way can be one of the trickiest parts of using your new GPS tracking system. We think Steve Saltzgiver, Director of Fleet Operations-North America for Coca Cola Refreshments, provides a great outline for analyzing data in a way that enables continuous improvement:

1. Define what you want to measure – This is most likely related to or the same as the function that was most important to your company in Part 1: Finding a Unit.

2. Determine what type of data to collect – Depending on what you want to measure you will need different metrics. Metrics for Fleet management typically fall into one of these categories:

a.       Demographics (cost, depreciation, type, etc.)

b.      Utilization (miles, hours, reservations, etc.)

c.       Transactional (fuel, repair, accidents, etc.)

3. Report writing and data query tools – Different systems will have different reporting capabilities. FoxTrax’s report builder makes it easy to include the data that you want to see.


4. Trend analysis and evaluation (compare with peers, self) – Use your data to analyze your change over time. 


5. Setting goals and objectives (reengineer) – Now that you know your weak areas, set goals based on your needs. Use your chosen metrics to track progress towards these goals. Re-evaluate on a regular basis to make sure you are making progress towards your goals.

To read more about analyzing fleet data or view examples, visit Steve Saltzgiver’s website.  And remember to re-evaluate on a regular basis for continuous improvement!

Next week we’ll look at how to continue to move forward with your GPS tracking system.

FoxTrax GPS Fleet Tracking Clever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Choosing a Tracking System: Part 2 – Implementing Your GPS Tracking System

This week we’re going to look at the process of implementing your new GPS tracking system. This may seem like a simple step, but in order to get the most from your software it’s important to take into account more than just physically installing the system into your fleet. These three steps will help you to implement your tracking system:

1. The first and probably most obvious step is to install your tracking system within your fleet. This will vary by system. FoxTrax systems make installation simple and our support staff is ready to help with any questions you may have.  

2. The next step is to use your new tracking system to begin collecting and analyzing data about your current fleet operations. It is important not to make any changes right away. You need to develop a clear idea how your fleet currently operates before you can make worthwhile improvements.

3. Now it’s time to start making those changes. We recommend making changes one at a time so you can clearly track how each one affects your data. Use the information you have gathered in step 2 to determine which changes are important to implement first. 

That’s it! Your GPS system is now integrated into your fleet and you’re ready to start experiencing the extensive benefits of fleet tracking.

Next week we’ll take an in-depth look at how to analyze the data from your GPS tracking system.

FoxTrax GPS Fleet Tracking Clever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Choosing a Tracking System: Part 1 - Finding a Unit

For the month of May we will be posting a series of blogs to help you through the process of choosing and using a new fleet tracking GPS system. The four topics will be:

1)      Finding the Right Unit

2)      Implementing the Units

3)      Analyzing Your Data

4)      Moving Forward – What’s Next?

This first blog will tackle the issue of finding the right unit for your needs. To accomplish this, the first thing you need to do is determine exactly what your needs are. Ask yourself these questions:

·         What function is most important to your company?

o   Examples could be: monitoring driver and vehicle behavior, vehicle diagnostics, or exchanging information with drivers

·         What kind of reporting do you need?

o   Various tracking systems allow you to set up and run different types of reports

·         How often do you need updates?

o   You can choose between systems that update you in real-time or systems that store data to be manually downloaded

After answering these three questions, you should have a clear idea of what exactly you need from a GPS tracking system. This will allow you to narrow down the GPS tracking systems you are choosing from.

Once you have found which systems meet your needs, you will need to compare them. We recommend making a list of the most important factors in your decision, such as price, support, and ease of installation. Use this list to compare these features between the GPS tracking systems that meet your needs. You may also want to review customer reviews and forums to find out about the experiences other customers have had with the systems you are considering.

If you follow these steps, you should have all the information you need to make a decision about which GPS tracking system is right for your fleet. Be sure to check out the features of FoxTrax GPS systems to see if it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for!

Next week, we will discuss how to implement your new GPS Tracking System.

FoxTrax GPS Fleet Tracking Clever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Take It or Leave It

Is your company one of the thousands across the country that allow employees to take home corporate owned vehicles? Or is yours one of the many that have cut back or even restricted the use of company owned vehicles? Initially it was thought to be a benefit for specific employees (first responders, those involved with public safety, etc.) to have a corporate owned ‘take home’ vehicle. The vehicle was to be used for commuting to and from work and for work hours. However, with higher fuel prices and budgets being trimmed this practice has been scaled back.

For those businesses in favor of allowing ‘take home’ vehicles they cite the cost of housing and securing the vehicles during non business hours as a huge cost variable. Not to mention the fact that an employee, specifically those in safety vehicles, extends the time of service for communities.

A strict form of measurement on usage must be in place for those companies and civic organizations that continue the practice. FoxTrax GPS is capable of serving as a measuring gauge for off the clock usage, location and routes taken by employees.

A study done by the Clark County Sherriff’s office reported the cost to maintain a full size sedan within their motor pool was $.30 per mile and $.37 per mile for a similar ‘take home’ vehicle. For some, this cost is negligible and the benefits of ‘take home’ vehicles are shown to be superior.

How does your business manage ‘take home’ vehicles?

FoxTrax GPS Fleet TrackingClever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Top Ten - Fleet Ideas

A recent survey by Alphabet, a UK based fleet management firm, showed that 60% of fleet organizations list controlling fleet costs as a top priority for 2012. That information is not all that shocking (although we’d like to see what the other 40% answered). What is surprising, are the top ten ways Alphabet’s CEO listed for keeping costs low. Not surprising in that they were off the wall, crazy ideas – more so, that the ideas were simple and logical. With a little planning and thought, most fleet companies can keep their costs down with just a few adjustments. Here’s a few of our favorites:

#5 Fight Fuel Costs:

With fuel prices on the rise, this should probably be listed as #1 on the list. FoxTrax GPS can help you and your fleet plan better routes and curb idle time in an effort to battle increasing fuel costs.

#6 Put a Dent in Repair Bills:

Preventative maintenance is often overlooked by fleet managers, but can play a huge part in lessoning the sting of bigger, more expensive repairs. FoxTrax can help keep tabs on your fleet and monitor when vehicles might need servicing from being on the road for extended periods of time.

#8 Prevention is better than a Cure:

Creating safer routes for your drivers, installing a safety policy and ensuring that all of your drivers understand the importance of preventing accidents before they happen is an often overlooked, but important lesson for your fleet.

Check out the rest of the items on the list.


FoxTrax GPS Fleet TrackingClever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com

Driver Safety Policy

A strategy to use GPS technology (like FoxTrax GPS) is a smart move when it comes to keeping your fleet and your drivers safe. Being able to monitor driver activity, record speeds and vehicles is a value that is sometimes difficult to put a price tag to. A fleet manager knows that keeping their fleet and their drivers safe and on the road means higher revenues and lower costs. There are a few other ways to maintain a level of safety for your fleet and drivers. One of the simplest and most cost effective, in addition to GPS, is instituting a safety policy.

A company safety policy helps to keep everyone involved accountable for the assets of the company. Many fleet companies are finding it an added bonus to include a safety policy program among their drivers.

Programs typically include a general overview of the company policy, specific driver education and training for the fleet, accident writing and reporting regulations, a reward/ consequence points system, and a sign off by management and driver.

These company introduced policies allow companies to show the importance of safety to their drivers, rewarding good drivers while education and training at the same time.

FoxTrax GPS Fleet TrackingClever solutions for vehicle tracking www.FoxTraxGPS.com