Your vehicles and powered equipment are critical business assets—without them, you can’t do business. In fact, the cost of replacement for some powered equipment could cost more than a vehicle. That’s why it’s critical to keep a sharp eye on how and when your assets are being used. GPS Fleet and Asset Tracking can provide construction businesses with affordable, real-time fleet and asset vehicle tracking solutions.
Managing your construction projects and staying within budget is challenging enough. When your equipment and vehicles are getting used for side jobs, weekend road trips, or stolen, that can add on several unexpected expenses to your bottom line.
When running a construction business, you want to give your employees the benefit of the doubt knowing that they are adhering to company policies. However, there will be times when workers abuse that trust, which can put you and your construction business at risk.
EQUIPMENT SECURITY
In addition to unauthorized use, equipment security often takes a back seat to accessibility and ease-of-use. The challenging deadlines and seasonal weather patterns leave construction businesses vulnerable for equipment theft. According to Hub International Limited, National Insurance Crime Bureau reports close to $1 billion in construction theft per year and translates into approximately 200 units of construction equipment stolen every week.
Worse, it’s virtually impossible for equipment manufacturers to make their products more secure without sacrificing the “jump on and start up” mentality that these industries often require. Securing sites and equipment with fences, lights, and security guards can be effective, but not practical for many businesses as it can be costly.
Many construction companies now use various tracking devices on everything from cars and trucks to powered and unpowered equipment. The devices, can not only withstand the heat, rain, cold, and daily pounding accustomed to heavy-duty equipment, they can be installed covertly so they are easily hidden from plain view and can be used to monitor and improve the efficiency and performance of construction equipment in the same ways it does vehicles.
While it may be difficult to picture someone riding off on a bright yellow bulldozer, the absence of security at most sites, combined with a lack of mandated product identification/registration, makes equipment theft a much easier crime to perpetrate than most realize.
Don’t let vehicle misuse affect your bottom line and put your fleet at risk. GPS Fleet and Asset Tracking can be your eyes on the road when you can’t physically be there.
OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Reduction in Fuel-Related Costs
With the rising cost of fuel, reducing fuel consumption is a priority for construction businesses. A GPS-based fleet and asset tracking system can help identify driving behaviors that increase the consumption of fuel such as excessive idling—a practice that can cost you up to 1 gallon of fuel an hour. For a fleet of 10 vehicles, that comes to 50 to 70 gallons of gas wasted each day.
Efficient Preventive Maintenance Program
The most effective fleet tracking systems will allow you to track actual miles traveled or engine hours so that you can perform maintenance based on a more accurate metric rather than having to guess when your vehicles and equipment are due for maintenance. Your system should also automatically alert you when a vehicle or piece of equipment comes due for maintenance, plus tell you exactly where that vehicle or asset is—saving you considerable man-hours and costs.
Improved Driver Behavior
Ideally, your fleet and asset tracking system should capture data about your drivers’ behaviors, including speeding and idle time. This information will allow you to identify those unwanted driver behaviors that increase risk, liability, and costs related to speeding tickets, and higher insurance premiums. Once you’ve identified those behaviors—and how often they’re occurring—you can take the appropriate measures to curb and modify them.
Improved Billing and Payroll
A fleet and asset tracking system allows you to track the routes and working hours of your staff, with time-stamped verification. You’ll have a record of the actual hours and miles driven so that you can ensure the accuracy of your billing and payroll, and reduce overtime costs. Your fleet tracking system will also allow your dispatch operations to identify more efficient routes, redirect drivers on-the-fly, and improve scheduling, which leads to improved time management and accurate billing and payroll.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
A fleet tracking system can be an effective tool for managing customer relationships, expectations, and satisfaction. For instance, dispatchers will be able to verify when a driver will arrive at a site, verify whether the driver stuck in traffic, or have the ability to reroute drivers as needed.
YOUR GPS SOLUTION
Not all GPS Fleet and Asset Tracking systems are created equally. Before you make an investment in a system, be sure to compare available solutions to find one that meets the check-list of must-have features and functionality, including:
- Simple and easy-to-use system to set up and get running quickly.
- A simple, scalable and secure web-based platform that eliminates the need for buying or managing complex, costly hardware and software.
- Real-time visibility of your fleet and assets via intuitive, easy-to-read web-based dashboards, interfaces, reports, and alerts.
- Reliable connection and coverage even in remote areas; look for a GPS system that transmits data over reliable CDMA wireless networks.
- The option to bundle hardware, installation, and services for a low monthly cost.
- Simple, covert installation of GPS devices with minimal wiring.
- High-sensitivity GPS that captures positioning data every 10 minutes so you get the most current location information.
- Support for commonly used Garmin navigation systems.
- A reputable, reliable solutions provider with industry experience and road-tested technology. ■
About the Author:
Richard Pearlman is director of product management at Spireon, Inc. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, he has worked with a wide range of transportation technology applications including telematics, routing, navigation, mobility, as well as location-based solutions and services. Mr. Pearlman can be at 949.599.8476, or via email at rpearlman@spireon.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions, January 2014
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