The best GPS fleet tracking solution for your business depends on what features you value most and how much you’re looking to spend. Should you use a battery-powered GPS tracker or go with a plug-and-play option? Let’s take a look at which GPS fleet tracking solution fits your needs.
You likely already know that having a reliable and accurate GPS tracking device for your fleet vehicles is essential to your business. Having a GPS tracker installed allows you to monitor your assets, no matter where they are, letting you respond quickly if they get lost or stolen. Beyond security, fleet GPS tracking can help reduce idle time, lower insurance costs, improve operational efficiency, and boost overall productivity – ultimately reducing fleet operating costs.
With a plug-and-play GPS fleet tracking solution, you can find a number of valuable tools that can help you improve your fleet management.
Easy installation
A plug-and-play GPS fleet tracking solution uses vehicle power by plugging into the vehicle’s OBDII port. These devices can typically be plugged directly into the OBDII port, or installed with a wiring harness that provides power to the device without restricting access to the OBDII port for diagnostics. Thissetup makes it easy to access detailed maintenance data without complicated installation.
Precise GPS tracking
Perhaps the most important tool for a fleet tracking device is the power to precisely locate your vehicles when you need to. A plug-and-play device should give you the ability to track your fleet 24/7. This vital location data also may monitor speeds, routes, trip distance and more. Advanced devices utilize multiple location technologies, including GPS, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and cellular which can help with reliable and accurate location data when a vehicle is parked indoors, underground or in densely urban areas.
Vehicle-health assessments
Plug-and-play GPS fleet tracking devices may also be able to collect important data such as VIN, odometer readings and engine idling and vehicle performance metrics. With reports on the engine, transmission, brakes, and other onboard components, you can monitor overall vehicle performance. These insights help you to get ahead of maintenance issues before they turn into costly repairs.
Improve driver performance
Support better driving habits with audible alerts that help coach drivers while they are on the road. An advanced plug-and-play device can monitor speed, aggressive driving, and harsh braking, giving youinsights into safe and risky driving behaviors. With this impartial data, you can manage driver performance more effectively across your fleet andencourage safer habits like following speed limits and reducing idle time. For added impact, spoken-word coaching provides personalized feedback to help improve safety and ensure drivers follow company policies.
Secure and advanced data
Use a plug-and-play GPS device with authentication, encryption and message-integrity verification to keep your data secure. These devices are also able to send data from multiple areas of the vehicle, including the engine, drivetrain, and other internal systems. This detailed data gives you a more complete picture of how each vehicle in your fleet is performing.
PassTime Fleet offers a plug-and-play GPS device with precise tracking, vehicle health insights, driver performance data, and more—built specifically for commercial fleets.
Geotab GO device
PassTime, as an authorized Geotab reseller, offers one of the most advanced plug-and-play telematics devices available: Geotab GO. Choosing Geotab GO through PassTime offers flexible, contract-free fleet management services – without the long-term commitments many other providers require.
Install the Geotab GO device effortlessly in any fleet vehicle's OBDII port to:
Geotab GO device also helps streamline your operations and stay compliant by automating tax filings, enhancing driver safety and productivity, and reducing business risks.
While a plug-and-play GPS tracking device can provide you with robust features to help manage your fleet, fleet managers looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-use solution, might find a battery-powered GPS tracker a better fit. Here are some of the key features to look for:
Fast and easy installation and activation
Look for a battery-powered GPS tracker that doesn’t require a connection to the vehicle’s hardware and can easily be installed almost anywhere. Setup and activation should be quick and hassle-free: flip the switch, cover with the cap and it’s ready to go.
Battery-powered GPS tracker with a long-lasting battery
Find a battery-powered GPS tracker with a long battery life. Devices on the market today can last up to five or more years without ever needing to be recharged. Choosing a device with impressively long battery life means you won’t have to worry about removing, re-charging/replacing the battery and re-installing your tracking devices.
Geofencing and daily GPS updates
Ensure you know your vehicles are safe with geofencing, which will alert you if they move inside or outside of the virtual boundary you set. Along with geofencing, get a GPS device that lets you check its location daily.
Dual-location technology
Ensure you can locate your vehicle anytime anywhere with dual-location technology. By combining GPS with cellular location technology, you’ll stay connected even in low-GPS areas, like parking garages or busy cities, -- so you can find your vehicles, even when GPS alone isn’t enough.
Our fourth-generation, battery-powered Encore GPS device enables quick and cost-effective scaling, making it a great solution for GPS fleet tracking.. This affordable option makes it painless to track and locate your vehicles. Here are some of the features:
While there are multiple PassTime GPS devices to fit your needs, your devices are only as good as the support behind them. With PassTime, you get exceptional customer service, 99%+ device reliability and incredible value. You’ll know you have the support you need to maintain your fleet. Contact us today for a custom quote and to explore which option would work best for you.
