Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

In a world of lost jobs, rising prices, failing companies and economic stimulus packages, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. Businesses know that they must make adjustments if they are to survive the current economic storm and employees hope that they won’t be the next to receive a pink slip. Business owners who maintain a fleet of vehicles should be aware that they can significantly reduce costs simply by installing GPS tracking devices in each vehicle.

GPS tracking devices operate by sending a signal from the transmitter, which is placed in the vehicle or on the object to be tracked, to a receiving device such as a personal computer. In this way, a single person can monitor the whereabouts of any given number of company owned vehicles throughout the workday. In addition, many devices can monitor fuel consumption, number and duration of stops, speed and idling time. This is invaluable information for a work supervisor as he looks for ways to reduce spending.

Companies that use GPS tracking devices report that if employees know their actions are being monitored, they are more likely to drive the speed limit, turn the engine off during a delivery, and drive directly to an off-site job rather than taking a personal detour. Small adjustments like these add up to huge financial savings over time. Collectively, we as a nation use billions of gallons of diesel fuel each year. Over one billion of those gallons are consumed by idling vehicles and at today’s gas prices that means over 5 billion dollars wasted in unnecessary fuel consumption. Individual companies can save thousands of dollars annually by asking each fleet vehicle driver to reduce idling time by as little as 15 minutes per day. In addition, drivers who are more conscientious about what they do on the clock report fewer overtime hours which can add up to big savings for employers.

GPS tracking devices provide a simple way for employers to reduce costs in troubled economic times. Though some may wonder if the initial investment will be worth it, those who have actually implemented GPS systems for their companies report that the systems pay for themselves many times over within a short time period. Business owners may not always be able to predict the fluctuations of a volatile market or the reactions of potential customers, but with GPS tracking devices, they can maintain a measure of control over employee habits that may be costing the company money.

Like anything that we use to improve our personal lives, GPS tracking devices also have very useful applications for business owners. The same way a GPS device can help you get to the store or a friend’s house is the same way it can help your employees reach a destination to make a delivery or meet with a client as well as allow you to monitor productivity.

People use GPS in their personal vehicles to help them save time and reduce gasoline use and you can use this technology for the same purpose in your business. The efficient use of your company’s vehicles will result in great savings for you in so many levels.

By having a destination already mapped out for them, your employees will know how much time it will take to reach a certain place. Although they may want to factor in time for traffic or to park, there will be no need to leave time “just in case we get lost.” As they say time is money. Shaving time of off business trips will lead to savings in fuel costs. The savings from reduced gas usage will definitely add up—whether you have a few company cars or a fleet of vehicles.

In addition to reducing time that employees spend traveling, the addition of a GPS tracking device to a company vehicle can reduce work time overall. If employees spend less time on the road, they will have fewer work hours to report. You may not realize it, but some of that overtime you have been paying out can be attributed to time spent on the road. Using GPS tracking can even make a difference in payroll.

The vehicles your organization uses can stay in better condition for longer because you have opted to use GPS tracking devices. The more they are driven, the more wear and tear they will take. By using a GPS you will be ensuring that in addition to regular maintenance, you have done what you could to keep them in great shape. You will reduce costs in the short run by saving on gas and in the long run by getting the most out of each vehicle you purchase.