GPS Tracking for Package Delivery Services

The constant growth of package delivery demand puts more pressure on your delivery team and package delivery vehicles. A GroupM survey shows that global retail eCommerce sales will rise to $7 trillion by 2024 to make up 25% of all retail sales.

Mondays tend to be the busiest days with the most packages to be delivered, which can be demanding and stressful for both delivery businesses and customers.

Interestingly, U.S. holiday retail sales for November and December 2021 grew 10.5% this year to $859 billion. The record sales increased despite growing supply chain issues, inventory, and fulfillment concerns. This is no surprise with 73% of consumers reporting they are shopping online more now than they did prior to the pandemic.

Given the statistics, you can’t afford for something to go wrong, and GPS capabilities allow you to be better equipped against delivery disruptions. Telematics minimizes the risk of misplaced packages and unhappy customers, making businesses thrive while accomplishing all of the customer’s and recipients’ requirements. Best of all, you can be confident in knowing your drivers’ location and activities in real-time providing there is a good cell signal.

It is important to know that a device has both a GPS and cellular modem antenna. The GPS gives us the location, but the cell connection is what gets the information back to the user. You may be thinking then, what happens in areas where there is poor phone signal, or there is an interruption in service altogether?

Jeff Alsop, Director of Strategic Accounts at GPS Trackit sheds light in the event this occurs. He states, “If there is a poor signal or no signal and data cannot be transmitted we have a store and forward fail-safe. The data is recorded and when the device regains cell service it pushes the recorded events back into the platform and reports so there is no loss of data.”

How GPS Tracking Improves Service During Peak Delivery Periods

The simple answer is that telematics gathers and stores all the data to make informed decisions. The data is sent wirelessly to a cloud service and then to the user’s application. This allows users and drivers to plan and optimize routes, track the fleets’ maintenance schedule and take the necessary quick action during mechanical failures. The information enables the user to correctly identify the choices at hand, and make the best-educated decision possible by:

1. Collecting data and information from the GPS tracking system
2. Identifying the problem
3. Brainstorming all possible alternatives
4. Making a decision

Let’s look at some of the benefits of a telematics solution in more detail:

• Route Optimization — Proactively plan and monitor road conditions during the winter weather. Planning the route before the driver sets off to his package delivery route means they can be directed to take the fastest, most efficient route. GPS tracking software can also assist in making real-time adjustments as the winter weather can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Critical information like this is key to ensuring your deliveries arrive at their destinations in a safe and timely manner. In essence, fleet managers will be equipped to proactively divert delays, measure productivity and cut costs whenever possible. 
• Mechanical Failure Assistance– Notifying your fleet managers precisely when a truck—filled with last-minute orders—stalls along its intended route to eager customers expecting their valued packages. This real-time information allows the managers to assess the issue and quickly send assistance. Especially if the drivers are delivering packages to a remote location where winter weather can contribute to poor reception. 
• Preventative Maintenance– GPS devices can track a vehicle’s maintenance schedule and send alerts about upcoming, essential services. By collecting the information for scheduling maintenance on each vehicle in the fleet, warning you ahead of time of impending mechanical issues. This type of tracking saves you time and potentially expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance ensures the vehicle is operating efficiently.