get the right tools to track your fleet...to learn more about how to implementing a...

There is a common misconception that vehicle-installed and cell phone GPS tracking systems are practically

the same technology, but they are actually very different. There are many GPS-enabled applications, like field

service and workforce management software, that use GPS data from cell phones as their main source of location

information. It is important to recognize that cell phone GPS tracking information is not the same as what you will

receive from vehicle-installed GPS tracking devices.

To decide which type of system will provide the information you need, think about what you are trying to

accomplish with GPS tracking. Are you looking to track the movements of employees from job site to job site,

or just have mobile time cards with location information? If so, then cell phone GPS tracking might be the right

Cell Phone vs. Vehicle-Installed GPS Tracking: Get The Right Tools to Track Your Fleet

Visit www.gpsinsight.com or call 866-477-4321

Fleet Intelligence for Your Business

GPS INSIGHT WHITE PAPER

Copyright ©2016 GPS Insight, LLC.

Are you interested in tracking your vehicles, assets, or maybe even an employee, but not sure if vehicle-installed or cell phone GPS tracking is the better method?

way to go. However, if you are looking to monitor productivity, reduce fuel usage, optimize miles driven, improve

maintenance scheduling, and increase safety, a vehicle-installed GPS tracking system is likely the right choice for

your business.

“Can’t We Just Do That With a Cell Phone?”

According to a recent report released by Bobit Business Media on

the adoption of GPS tracking and usage within the light- and

medium-duty fleet market, almost 30% of commercial fleets

surveyed stated that they have not implemented GPS tracking

due to budgetary constraints. If budget is the reason you have not

implemented a system into your operations, you may be looking into

cell phone-based GPS tracking systems in hopes to receive the same

type of fleet intelligence at a lower cost.

If you are looking for a less expensive GPS tracking option and are not

aware of the key differentiators between these two technologies

you might be thinking, “Can’t we basically get the

same information at a lower cost from a cell

phone GPS tracking system?” Boldly stated,

you will not receive the same level of information

with this type of platform because you are tracking

a cell phone, not the vehicle itself. It is strongly

advised that you do not choose any type of

technology based on price if it doesn’t supply

the information you need.









One of the top reasons that fleets are adopting GPS tracking is because of the return on investment (ROI). Cell

phone GPS tracking systems provide simple location information and “bare-bones” reporting and alerts, not the

type of fleet data that will provide significant returns, help generate revenue, or increase operational effectiveness.

By selecting a GPS tracking system that does not provide the information you need to achieve the maximum ROI,

you will be missing out on the most significant benefit that makes tracking worthwhile.

The Disadvantages of Cell Phone GPS Tracking Systems

Now that we have piqued your interest, let’s discuss the disadvantages to using a cell phone GPS tracking system.

There are many differences in capability between the technologies that will result in substantial disadvantages,

even some you might not suspect. Fleets that select a cell phone GPS tracking system are likely to have a difficult

time holding drivers accountable for their actions and performance, have unreliable data, fall behind competitively,

and have no visibility into your costly challenges.

Less Driver Accountability

If drivers decide that they don’t want to be

tracked at any given time, they can easily

turn off their cell phone or simply turn off

the GPS function. Cell phone GPS tracking

systems give drivers the ability to choose

where and when they are willing to be

monitored, which is really too much power

in your employees’ hands when they are on

your time. It will also greatly increase the

chance of unauthorized usage of company

vehicles and reckless driving behavior.

“Can You Hear Me Now?”

If you choose to go with a cell phone GPS tracking system, you will be choosing a less reliable option of tracking.

It is far too easy for cell phones to suffer signal loss or have a battery die to be your main source of GPS tracking

technology. GPS tracking devices that are used in a vehicle-installed system are always on and always tracking.

There are minimal battery concerns with a vehicle-installed device because it is wired into the vehicle’s battery as a

constant source of power. Even if GPS tracking devices are in areas with no cellular coverage, they have the ability

to “store forward” so information is never lost. When the vehicle goes out of your cellular provider’s coverage area,

the device continues to collect location data from the satellites even though the vehicle cannot be seen live on a

map. As soon as the vehicle enters back into an area with cellular coverage, all information is pushed to the GPS

tracking platform’s servers for seamless reporting.

Selecting a less reliable form of GPS tracking

technology will eventually backfire, and praying it

doesn’t happen in an emergency situation is not a

sound strategy. If your driver is working on a remote

job site and finds themselves in danger, having

access to reliable location data will make all the

difference.

Your Competitors Will Leave You in the Dust!

Fleets become more efficient by eliminating the traditional paperwork associated with fleet management,

increasing route efficiency, evaluating time spent on the job site, streamlining maintenance management, and

more. If your fleet uses a cell phone GPS tracking system for fleet management, you will become less efficient than

your competitors that do use vehicle-installed GPS tracking platforms to achieve more significant goals.

One of the biggest disadvantages for fleets that use cell phone GPS tracking is that they will not have the ability

to provide the same level of customer service. Vehicle-installed GPS tracking platforms allow fleets to provide





customers accurate ETAs, service more customers per day, and respond quicker to emergencies. If your business

gains the reputation for not being as efficient as your competition, especially in time-sensitive situations, you will

end up losing business. To stay competitive and provide the best customer service possible, your fleet should use

vehicle-installed GPS tracking technology.

No Visibility into Costly Challenges

Another major disadvantage to using cell phone GPS tracking is that you will have no way to establish or measure

your costly challenges that are critical to the success of your fleet tracking initiative. Receiving actionable

information about fuel and labor costs, maintenance, fleet utilization, etc. are the only way to make improvements

to your fleet operations. Without this vital information about substantial business opportunities, you have no way

to know if you are spending more than you should be or if processes need to be restructured.

There’s An App for That

If you are still leaning towards cell phone GPS tracking because it seems like the more convenient option, consider

the following: Many vehicle-installed GPS tracking systems have mobile apps for their software, so you will still be

able to track your mobile workforce from your cell phone. You will be tracking the vehicle and not the employee’s

cell phone, so you have the ability to receive even more information with the same level of convenience.

Receive Fleet Intelligence with Vehicle-Installed GPS Tracking

As we all know, cell phones are our main tool for communication these days and have great GPS for directions

and current location, but they are not developed for high-quality fleet management. Using a vehicle-installed GPS

tracking system is much more than just location updates; it is true fleet intelligence. Vehicle-installed GPS tracking

applications will give your fleet the ability to reduce costs, reduce risk, and increase revenue.









Reduce Costs

According to a recent Bobit Business Media research study, the #1 fleet cost for most businesses is fuel. One of

the most significant savings fleets experience with a vehicle-installed GPS tracking system is a reduction in fuel

expenses. This is achieved by monitoring fuel usage and taking action to make sure vehicles are not excessively

idling, speeding, or being driven more than allowed or necessary. Cell phone-based systems do not have the ability

to track or report on any fuel information about your vehicles, so it is essentially impossible to receive the same

type savings.

Reduce Risk

Improving safety takes GPS tracking software from a “nice to have” technology, to an essential resource for your

fleet operations. You will be able to advance your safety procedures, respond faster in the event of an emergency,

monitor driver behavior, and ensure vehicles and equipment are safe to operate, which will profoundly reduce risk

for both your drivers and the public. Cell phone GPS tracking platforms will not allow you to improve safety in any

of these aspects, or provide any other significant safety benefits. When your employees’ safety is at stake; having

the best resources available to ensure their well-being is a critical responsibility.

Increase Revenue

Using vehicle-installed GPS tracking systems don’t just reduce

costs and risk; they will also drive revenue for your fleet. One

of the most effective ways to increase revenue with a vehicle-

installed GPS tracking platform is by completing more jobs

because your team is more productive with their time. Vehicle-

installed GPS tracking technology will increase dispatch and

route efficiency so your drivers are able to arrive at the job

site sooner. This type of system can also be used to ensure

employees are being as productive as possible once they are

at the job. Stay on top time spent on the job site and track late

arrivals to keep drivers on schedule throughout the day. By

maximizing the workday, your fleet will be able to complete

more jobs and increase revenue.


Vehicle-installed GPS tracking is how businesses gain the ability to make real changes to their operations. As

presented in this article, selecting a vehicle-installed GPS tracking platform will provide much more significant

benefits for your business in the long run than if you chose a cheaper, cell phone-based system. No matter how

small or large your fleet might be, there is much greater value in using GPS tracking software that will allow your

business to become more productive, efficient, and lucrative overall.

To learn more about how to implementing a vehicle-installed GPS tracking system will improve your fleet operations, contact GPS Insight!



Request a Demo


http://www.gpsinsight.com/cell-phone-vs-gps-tracking

http://www.gpsinsight.com/request-a-demo

get the right tools to track your fleet...to learn more about how to implementing a...

Documents