Logistics businesses have been on the rise with the rise in manufacturing in recent times. The hopeful shift from a service-based industry to a manufacturing division has fuelled the need for better supply chain management tactics. Fleet tracking is one such great avenue for development. Fleet tracking is an important aspect of any logistics business. It provides business owners with the option to track their vehicles at all times. In addition, real-time location details can provide the customers with much-in-demand metrics such as accurate delivery estimates, package tracking, etc. However, the benefits of this technology are not limited to the bigger firms. Even small businesses can leverage the upscaling potential provided by the technology. The primary reason for the ubiquity of the benefits is the concatenation of similar problems regardless of size. Hence, we bring you seven primary fleet tracking benefits for your small business.
- Real-Time Location Tracking
Real-time tracking allows for higher transparency and reveals the esoteric insights that would otherwise have remained hidden. The data generated by tracking the routes taken by your fleet can help find the optimum paths for higher efficiency and faster deliveries. It also allows for the businesses to locate the goods and packages that a vehicle is carrying and allows to better estimate product process times. Any unforeseen delays are better managed by planning according to the delays in real-time.
- Smart Customer Processing
Building customer trust is critical to keep your business running. Customer trust is directly proportional to the amount of business they produce for you. The more they trust you, the more they will be willing to support and spend on your services. Fleet tracking for small businesses helps build trust.
Real-time location tracking provides the customers with much-needed services such as accurate delivery estimates and much more. Such transparency in monitoring and tracking deliveries raises customer fulfilment levels dramatically. Fleet tracking and optimising can also help optimise and streamline returns and backorders.
- Higher Compliance
Abiding the regulatory compliances can be an ordeal for small businesses. Moreover, in most cases of disputes, small businesses get the shorter end of the stick. The ELD rule or hours of service mandate is one of the many rules businesses are bound to uphold. To abide by these rules, businesses should track service hours accurately for all their employees.
One of the implicit benefits of fleet tracking for small businesses is the accurate count of service hours. However, it does not end there. Through optimised digital tracking platforms, it’s possible to identify and estimate thefts and frauds. It also helps in complying with other rules and regulations on logistics, development, and beyond. Customers can also be notified about any potential problems.
- Possibility to Optimise
The meteorological department is not entirely reliable regarding weather predictions and man-made disasters such as wildfires, pandemics, and accidents. However, the world doesn’t stop due to these impediments. Therefore, businesses are expected to react and adapt to these events at a moment’s notice and ensure timely deliveries.
Fleet tracking for small businesses allows the opportunity to enable data optimised operations insights. Management can oversee and attempt to mitigate bottlenecks and other impediments with more data and higher transparency. Complementing these benefits is the addition of machine learning tools.
- Increased Mobile Support
With so much real-time data, it is highly possible to develop remote operations support that can be easily accessed through mobile phones. In addition, fleet tracking for small businesses provides an apt avenue to establish a direct line of communication with all your drivers. This allows the possibility of sharing updates and road information, issuing new commands, and providing the opportunity to establish roadside assistance.
- Increased Employee Safety
Door-to-door delivery is the costliest form of delivery service. Several dangers are associated with transporting large shipments through trucks over long hours and longer distances. Better tracking and awareness leads to better safety. Fleet tracking allows businesses to analyse the stops and estimate the rest that the drivers are getting. It also allows for sending help efficiently when a truck breaks down.
- Reduced Spending
The most explicit fleet tracking benefit for small businesses is the funds saved. Delays, poorly planned routes, unforeseen events, slow reaction times, and damaged and stolen goods all add to the costs incurred by the company. Fleet tracking helps eliminate and mitigate many of these problems and, as a result, reduce the costs incurred.
Even basic fuel costs can also be reduced with optimised route suggestions. Working with other analytical tools can also help locate the cheapest fuel stations nearby.
Fleet tracking provides numerous benefits regardless of the size of the company. The world is moving towards a more digital landscape, and there is no reason not to invest in smart, real-time tracking solutions. Inculcate fleet tracking in your business model and optimise your offerings.