Finding the Right Solution for Your Business:
The Questions to Ask

While it’s easy to focus on price as the main reason to select one fleet management solution over another, there’s a lot more to it than that. This is a solution that can help take your business to the next level, so it’s important to find a provider that can trust and work with both now and in the future. Anyone can be a business provider — instead, look for a business partner. By asking the right questions, you can find the right solution to fit not only your budget but also your business. First up? Start with the product.

Discover How the Solution Works: Product-Related Questions

Which products and solutions are right for my business?

As you’ve probably already discovered, the list of GPS tracking and fleet management solution providers is long, and new players pop up regularly. Given everything available on the market, selecting what you actually need for your business can feel like a huge task.
 
One of the best ways to get started is to take GPS Trackit’s Fleet Assessment — a hassle-free, online assessment tool that will help you get an understanding of what your business needs and where to start.
 

 

Which features are important to my business?

With all the various solutions out there, having an understanding of what you’d like a GPS tracking and fleet management solution to do for your business is key when you’re exploring your options. For example, you may want to be able to more accurately track timecard information or get a better view of the behavior of your drivers. Maybe you’re concerned about theft or the potential for your assets to be used for moonlighting by your employees. By finding a solution that can tick all the boxes, you’ll be better prepared to make the right decision for your business.
 

Can this GPS fleet management solution be integrated with other business systems?

Think about the business systems you rely on every day, such as billing and payroll. If the solution you’re looking at doesn’t easily integrate with what you currently have in place, you may actually be creating extra work and headaches for both yourself and your employees. That means extra time, extra hours and extra costs. Have a list of what you’re currently using so you can ensure your new solution will not only seamlessly integrate, but also help you to streamline your daily tasks.
 

Does this solution have an open API?

So what if the systems you regularly use aren’t on the list of what will integrate with the solution you’re looking into? That’s where having an open API comes in. API stands for Application Programming Interface. GPS Trackit has developed an open API that functions as a web service, enabling customers and third-party developers the ability to move vehicle location, performance and engine diagnostic data to other systems within their business.

It may sound technical, but what’s at its heart is easy to understand: an open API will help ensure that no matter what systems you use, there’s a way to integrate the information you get from your fleet management solution with them.
 

It this solution customizable?

In business, one size does not fit all — an especially true statement when it comes to fleet management. Depending on how you run your day-to-day business, you may require a variety of options specifically tailored to your needs. A few considerations could include:

• Alerts. Does the solution you’re looking at offer Geofence or landmark alerts? How about driving alerts such as hard braking or speeding? Does it offer the ability to select how alerts are delivered, for example, text vs. email? The greater the flexibility you have with setting and managing your own alerts, the better your real-time visibility into your business will be.
• Reports. Does the solution allow you to customize what you need on your reports, as well as when, how and where they’re delivered? Look for a solution that allows you to automate reporting according to your needs, streamlining the process and saving you time.

Can this solution easily grow with your business?

Scalability is key, particularly in a high-growth industry like commercial fleets. Though you may be a smaller company now, you’ll want to find a fleet management solution that can easily grow along with you and move at the speed your business demands. Find out about the process of adding additional staff, assets or fleet vehicles — does the company offer the ability to easily do this online or through the solution platform, or do you need to speak to your salesperson? Look for a solution that gives you the option to either self-serve or speak to a live person.
 

Are you limited on the number of “seats” you can have on this solution?

Access to your new solution doesn’t need to just be limited to your fleet manager or dispatcher. Considering the wealth of information available with a GPS tracking and fleet management solution, you will likely want multiple departments across your company to have access to it. However, some solutions may be limited to the number of users, or “seats,” that can have access to the platform, or have additional costs associated with increasing the number of users. Be sure to ask what the limits and costs are before you sign on the dotted line.
 

What kind of reports can be generated with this solution?

Having access to accurate data is crucial to decisions that drive your business. However, digging through tons of data to find the numbers you need is a hassle. That’s where reporting features come into play. Be sure to investigate what kind of reporting features are included with your solution and if they’re customizable and viewable on-demand. Look for data-rich reports such as:

• Driver scorecards and safety reports
• Speed reports
• Landmark reports such as time spent or driver interactions
• Mileage summaries
• Real-time temperature reporting
• Miles driven per state to track fuel taxes
• Maintenance reports
• Fleet-wide or vehicle specific reports

 
Are you ready to get started exploring a new GPS tracking and fleet management solution? Get started today by taking our free, online fleet assessment or speak to one of our friendly Fleet Advisors who will be happy to walk you through a demo or answer your questions.