Nowadays, you can’t operate a business fleet with optimum efficiency and productivity unless you have a GPS fleet tracking software. Not only will you be able to watch your vehicles in real-time with this fleet management software, but the top GPS fleet tracking systems right now can monitor drivers’ behavior, examine fuel efficiency, generate automatic reports on what’s happening across the fleet, and more. You’ll be able to reduce fuel expenses, enhance customer service, and use analytics to help your company expand.
Stick with us, as we’ve made this research to make it easy for you to choose the right GPS fleet tracking software that’s out right now. This article is for smaller business owners, fleet managers, and larger organizations who want to monitor and manage their cars and trucks using a GPS fleet monitoring system.
What is GPS Fleet Tracking Software, and Why do You Need it?
GPS fleet tracking is a management system organizations in transport-related industries commonly use to track corporate assets such as cars, equipment, and drivers. GPS fleet monitoring systems, often known as telematics, allows businesses to track where their equipment and products are in near real-time while also delivering vital data about driver and fleets performance. Knowing what a telematics system is allows you to understand how it can assist your company saves money (such as on fuel), controlling vehicle maintenance, supervising your mobile workforce, and ensuring driver safety and compliance.
How to choose the right GPS Fleet Tracking Software for you
Even though most of the GPS fleet tracking systems appear almost the same, they frequently contain unique characteristics that can make or break your fleet. Therefore carefully consider your options to find the ideal telematics solution for your company.
Specify what needs to be tracked
The first thing you need to do before selecting a GPS fleet tracking software is to determine the sorts of assets and vehicles you need to monitor and the number of each. Since different forms of tracking gear will be required based on what you are tracking, determining the sorts of vehicles and assets will help you limit your potential possibilities. Some companies, for example, provide relatively limited tracking accessory options, and many GPS brands need a minimum number of cars. These are minor numbers (three with Samsara), but we prefer brands with no minimum fleet size restriction (GPS Trackit).
Choose the features you need from the GPS tracking fleet software
Once you’ve finished the first step, you must decide why to track them. GPS fleet tracking systems differ in feature sets, so determine which essential and negotiable functions.
For example, suppose driver’s safety is your priority. In that case, you need to look for a solution that includes driver’s scorecards, vehicle safety and maintenance warnings, dashcams, geofencing, and driver training and coaching. Less comprehensive choices may be preferable if you only need to track the position of nonpowered assets and equipment.
Set a budget
GPS fleet tracking solutions are frequently expensive to purchase. You must first buy the hardware and then pay a monthly subscription price for the software. Although, some monitoring systems provide tiered subscriptions with varying feature sets, which can help you save money if your tracking requirements are low.
After determining the required features, create a budget and search for telematics solutions that fit your budget. Budget concerns include contract terms, vehicle minimums, free trials, and software and hardware expenses.
Best GPS Fleet Tracking Software for 2023: Review
Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect is our top pick for the best GPS tracking software. Firms with a narrow focus will appreciate the great amount of customization it provides. For example, you can change the word “vehicle” to “crane” to match industry-specific terms.
It is possible to overlay GIS data, such as power lines and sewage pipelines, on the company’s customized maps (rather than the standard Google Maps utilized by many rivals). Although it takes some time to perfect, this degree of granular control outperforms most rivals.
Pros
- Its driver performance scoring identifies who is performing well and who requires guidance
- Allows for simple integration with third-party navigation devices
- There is no installation charge
- A fantastic alternative for bigger fleets and vehicles
Cons
- Signs you up for lengthier contracts than other vendors (typically three years)
- Only the more costly subscriptions provide fleet maintenance data
Samsara
Samsara is among the most sophisticated GPS monitoring solutions available on the market, with industry-specific plans tailored to your specific requirements. It also provides one of the most extensive collections of tracking accessories and hardware, allowing you to pick the devices you require to track your fleet. Samsara is among the few organizations that provide real-time tracking and reporting, which is critical for many small enterprises.
Pros
- Every 30 to 60 seconds, the tracking data is refreshed
- Its dispatch feature immediately picks the optimal vehicle for a job, enhancing real-time efficiency
- It’s the best bang-for-your-buck solution
Cons
- It’s not the cheapest option out there
- Its average contract periods range from three to five years
Azuga
Azuga is among the most user-friendly GPS fleet tracking solutions, with bundled and customizable plans available. It’s based on OBD-II plug-and-play monitoring hardware, one of the simplest-to-install device types. We found the Azuga mobile app and dashboard to be intuitive and simple, and some plans also offer chat options to let management and drivers communicate inside a single platform.
Regarding tracking, Azuga is tied for second with Samsara, with the sole drawback being that its warnings aren’t as comprehensive as those on other platforms. One of its most distinctive features is the option to tailor refresh time from 30 seconds to 59 minutes, allowing the drivers to operate with as much or as little supervision as they want.
Pros
- Its FuelSaver add-on advises vehicles to the nearest gas station with the most affordable fuel
- ELD compliance is possible (though at an additional cost)
- Its travel logs provide full data of all journeys taken in the previous 90 days
- WEX, PAPCO, and EFS all provide fuel card integration
Cons
- It does not offer accident reporting
- Only firms with more than 30 cars are eligible for a free trial
- A maintenance schedule function is paid for separately, although other systems provide it for free
- It doesn’t measure the cargo temperature
GPS Trackit
GPS Trackit is a fleet management system with outstanding reporting capabilities. It enables managers to trace their fleets via breadcrumb tracking, updated every 30 to 60 seconds. With insights into maintenance records, engine diagnostics, service history, and expenses, you can receive information on diverse fleet data and optimize vehicles. These reports can be automated to make the reporting process easier. Real-time interactive maps, current weather, live traffic, and street-level views are available. Also, heat-sensitive cargo items can be remotely monitored.
Pros
- Data is refreshed every 30 to 60 seconds
- Fuel card integration is possible
- ELD compliance is offered for an additional cost
Cons
- More costly than other alternatives
- Does not track weather updates to aid in route planning
- Does not monitor fuel consumption in the absence of integrated fuel cards
- Driver dispatching options are only accessible with a fee
Teletrack Navman
Teletrac Navman is a very good GPS fleet management system for vehicle maintenance. It provides solutions by industry and role, with a selection of hard-wired and plug-and-play devices, allowing you to select the tracking option that best meets your vehicle or asset tracking needs.
Pros
- You can record distance while concealing your location, allowing you to keep trips private
- Sends stolen car notifications to assist you in responding immediately to theft
- Daily driver vehicle inspection records are captured (DVIRs)
- Integration with ProMiles ensures that you comply with IFTA and DoT requirements
Cons
- It does not offer accident reporting
- Contracts automatically renew, making cancellation more difficult
- The most affordable plans are severely constrained, with fewer features and slower data refresh (every five minutes)
- It does not monitor the temperature of the engine or the load
What to look for when choosing the right GPS Fleet Tracking Software
- Price – GPS fleet tracking software prices generally comprise a one-time fee for each hardware device and a monthly subscription fee for tracking features. Pricing for a single hardware device starts at about $100, with monthly subscriptions ranging from $15 to $35
- Tracking – How reliable and efficient is the tracking feature on the platform? For example, how fast does the tracking map refresh, and does the map consider the traffic jam, etc
- Vehicle management – Examining the condition of your vehicles. Are they in need of repair? Are they adequately secured against theft?
- Driver’s management – Tracking and recording each of your drivers’ actions. Is Driver #3 idling his car for an excessive amount of time? Is Driver #4 prone to speeding?
- Product Features – What more is the product capable of? Can it communicate with third-party navigation systems? Is there a mobile app?
- Customer support – Which company has the best customer support to help you whenever you need them?
Conclusion
While there are several aspects to consider when researching vehicle monitoring solutions, we hope that by reading this article, you’ve learned what GPS Fleet Tracking Software is, why you need it and how to choose the right one for you.
Although numerous alternative providers are available, Verizon Connect is the most popular in terms of overall features, vehicle management, excellent tracking, and driver management functions.
