| The most common methods of vehicle tracking vary | | | | processes, 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 more | | | | tracking 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 less | | | | the affordability and efficiency of vehicle tracking |
| expensive systems that provide less functionality. New | | | | systems. Pioneered by AutoAlert, this system uses a |
| technology, however, is rapidly changing the cost | | | | small unit installed in the vehicle and a web based |
| effectiveness and quality of tracking systems available | | | | interface that is accessed by a standard mobile |
| to these small and medium sized fleets.Large | | | | telephone, laptop computer, or PC.The advantages are |
| fleetsLarge fleets that can take advantage of | | | | many. First, the start up cost of the system is |
| economies of scale typically use some form of GPS | | | | extremely 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 the | | | | subscription 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 capital | | | | tracking information from wherever they may be with |
| investment that is required and the long timeframe that | | | | just 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 monthly | | | | where their time is best utilized.What does it all |
| fee that can quickly become quite expensive.Small and | | | | mean?For the first time, small and medium sized fleets |
| medium fleetsMost small and medium fleets will use | | | | can gain access to an economical and easy to use |
| some variation of vehicle tracking that is less costly to | | | | vehicle tracking system. This means they can start |
| implement and maintain. For some this means using | | | | reaping the benefits of reduced driver downtime, more |
| radios and a dispatch center, mobile telephones and a | | | | efficient dispatching, field replenishment of supplies, etc. |
| central office, or something similar. They may have a | | | | In a competitive business model, the extra edge gained |
| computer-based tracking process in the central | | | | from efficient vehicle tracking can mean the difference |
| location or, for very small fleets, they may opt instead | | | | between a fleet owner prospering or just getting |
| for a simple map and manual tracking.Quite a number | | | | by.Richard Harris is a vehicle telecommunications |
| of small fleets, in the range of one to ten vehicles, do | | | | expert who has developed an innovative vehicle |
| not use active vehicle tracking at all. This may be due | | | | tracking system. |
| to the costs involved, lack of experience with tracking | | | | |