Common Methods Of Vehicle Tracking

The most common methods of vehicle tracking varyprocesses, or lack of awareness of the significant
somewhat depending on the size of the vehicle fleet.benefits that can be realized by an effective vehicle
Large fleets tend to use equipment that is moretracking system.New technologyThe newest
elaborate because they can afford the greater cost,technology available has the potential to radically alter
while small and medium sized fleets generally use lessthe affordability and efficiency of vehicle tracking
expensive systems that provide less functionality. Newsystems. Pioneered by AutoAlert, this system uses a
technology, however, is rapidly changing the costsmall unit installed in the vehicle and a web based
effectiveness and quality of tracking systems availableinterface that is accessed by a standard mobile
to these small and medium sized fleets.Largetelephone, laptop computer, or PC.The advantages are
fleetsLarge fleets that can take advantage ofmany. First, the start up cost of the system is
economies of scale typically use some form of GPSextremely reasonable due to the relatively low cost of
tracking and a central base station or dispatch point.the vehicle unit itself. Second, there are no ongoing
The vehicle units can be quite expensive, as can thesubscription or maintenance fees, thereby minimizing
base station infrastructure and staffing requirements.operating costs. And third, fleet managers can access
Only the largest fleets can usually afford the capitaltracking information from wherever they may be with
investment that is required and the long timeframe thatjust their mobile telephone. This allows them more
is needed to gain a return on that investment.freedom to get out of the office and into the field
Additionally, these types of systems require a monthlywhere their time is best utilized.What does it all
fee that can quickly become quite expensive.Small andmean?For the first time, small and medium sized fleets
medium fleetsMost small and medium fleets will usecan gain access to an economical and easy to use
some variation of vehicle tracking that is less costly tovehicle tracking system. This means they can start
implement and maintain. For some this means usingreaping the benefits of reduced driver downtime, more
radios and a dispatch center, mobile telephones and aefficient dispatching, field replenishment of supplies, etc.
central office, or something similar. They may have aIn a competitive business model, the extra edge gained
computer-based tracking process in the centralfrom efficient vehicle tracking can mean the difference
location or, for very small fleets, they may opt insteadbetween a fleet owner prospering or just getting
for a simple map and manual tracking.Quite a numberby.Richard Harris is a vehicle telecommunications
of small fleets, in the range of one to ten vehicles, doexpert who has developed an innovative vehicle
not use active vehicle tracking at all. This may be duetracking system.
to the costs involved, lack of experience with tracking