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