Keep it Simple
The Simple Guide to Fleet Savings

Heading to a work site for the next phase of a project or to respond to a customer call? Take a careful inventory of the equipment you will need, to make sure you bring all the essentials. Doubling back for forgotten supplies can be a serious time management issue, one which can cost your business in both productivity and profit. Using a GPS-enabled heavy equipment monitoring system that lets you know when your equipment enters and exits specified locations can help you ensure that nothing important gets left behind.

If you have to leave your equipment off-site overnight, make sure it’s safe by fitting it with a GPS-enabled asset monitoring device. These devices can be programmed to send you alerts when your equipment leaves or enters a predetermined location of your choice. Designate your site radius as an approved location, so if a thief or vandal tries to run off with your expensive equipment, you’ll know immediately and be able to give the authorities said equipment’s exact GPS location.

Even if they’re navigating a familiar area, knowing the road conditions they’ll be facing can give your drivers the information they need to make informed decisions while on the road. Outfit your vehicles with GPS routing devices, so your drivers can have directional assistance wherever they are. Using a fleet management system in conjunction with these on-board devices can enable you to set up alerts that notify your drivers when they should avoid certain areas due to inclement weather, road construction, or a traffic accident. When even the smallest of delays can mean lost productivity, it’s important to have your routes planned out and be ready to adapt at any time.

The average fleet vehicle accumulates several hours of idle time every week. While that might not sound like much, it could mean your fleet is spending thousands every year just to have your vehicles do nothing. Careless driving behaviors, like sudden acceleration and speeding, can also compromise your fleet’s fuel budget. Fortunately, it’s easy to trim down your fuel costs by implementing a few simple fleet-wide practices.

When your workforce is mobile, it can be difficult to hold each employee accountable for how they spend their time while on the clock. A solid workforce management system can help fleet owners keep track of their workers in the field without making the latter feel micromanaged. These systems use GPS tracking data to verify time-sheets and account for the time workers spend a while on the job.

Employees should know, from their first day at work onward, that spending time engaged in unrelated activities while they’re on the clock is completely off-limits. This should be reiterated regularly in memos and company-wide communications. There should be a policy in place that describes the consequences of wasting or misusing company time. This policy must be enforced consistently, with every employee at every level being held accountable to the standards outlined therein. Fair and consistent enforcement of this policy will not only save money in wasted time but will keep morale healthy. Employees are further likely to suffer from low morale when you unevenly enforce rules than they are when you apply them calmly and consistently.

News Alert: Section 179 Deduction Limit Increased to One Million for 2018! With H.R.1, aka, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is passed and signed into law, the deduction limit for Section 179 increased to $1,000,000 for 2018 and beyond. Fleet businesses, in particular, can benefit from both Section 179 deductions and fuel tax savings. Dare to Deduct Almost every business equipment purchase your company makes qualifies for a Section 179 deduction. These purchases may include vehicles, computers, and—you guessed it—GPS tracking devices. See the fully updated 2018 Section 179 Calculator to know how much your company could save.

Section 179 Qualifying Purchases*

• Vehicles owned by the business

• Machines and other equipment purchased for use in business

• Computers and “Off-the-Shelf” Software

• Office Equipment and Furniture

• Personal property used for business

• Equipment purchased for both business and personal use (depending on the percentage of

time the equipment is used for business)

The fuel cost savings fleets experience with GPS tracking are well documented. But, what about fuel tax savings? With the accuracy of GPS state mileage data, you will never pay more in fuel taxes than you really owe again.

GPS Trackit’s ProMiles® Integration allows companies to easily create IFTA-compliant reports while minimizing the potential for recording errors. Mile-to-kilometer and gallon-to-liter conversions are processed automatically, ensuring fuel reporting accuracy. IFTA reporting errors don’t just put your compliance status in jeopardy—they can mean big losses for your business in the form of fuel tax costs.

At GPS Trackit, we’ve designed our software solutions to keep fleet businesses productive and profitable. If you’re interested in learning more about how your fleet can cut costs and improve operations, get in touch! Our Fleet Advisors will help you find the perfect solution for your fleet’s unique needs. It’s just that simple.