By Greg Bartlett

GPS vehicle tracking has become a staple for companies operating large fleets of vehicles who wish to keep an eye on their equipment. Because of the high price tags associated with the technology, however, smaller companies have often had to forego GPS protection, often losing thousands of dollars each year to stolen equipment and inefficient driving practices. With the advent of less expensive models, however, that’s beginning to change.

Small businesses can’t afford to take losses, especially on expensive vehicles and equipment. GPS vehicle tracking has helped many business owners take back control of their fleet vehicles. They can monitor their whereabouts in the event of theft as well as keep an eye on employee driving to make sure they are using safe and efficient driving practices. GPS vehicle tracking devices send intermittent signals to an office computer pinpointing the location of each vehicle in real time and some models can also keep track of information such as fuel usage and speed of travel. At the end of the day, employers can look over what routes were driven to determine whether the most direct routes are routinely followed, a practice which can save thousands of dollars in fuel costs each year. They can also help employees make smarter decisions such as reducing idle time and remaining within the speed limit.

As prices at the pump remain elevated, saving money on fuel can make a huge difference in a company’s bottom line. For companies who provide fuel to others, GPS vehicle tracking can protect them from stolen product, saving additional thousands in losses. Fuel thefts become more common in a pinched economy, and some fuel distribution companies have reported vehicles stolen, only to find those vehicles abandoned days later, their fuel siphoned away and the company left in the red.

The prices of basic GPS vehicle tracking devices have come down in recent days, and small business owners should take a second look at the affordability of equipping their fleet vehicles with the technology. Newer and more accurate models are being developed all the time, with features that cater to an ever-increasing variety of uses. As poor economic conditions continue to spawn vehicle and fuel thefts, business owners should consider whether they can afford not to equip their vehicles with protective devices. For companies who rely on expensive vehicles and equipment to do their jobs, GPS vehicle tracking could make the difference between success and failure in the competitive job market.