3 Things to Consider Before Investing in GPS Fleet Software
Posted by Chris Sargent on Tue, Dec 29, 2009 @ 05:11 PM
If you own or manage a fleet of vehicles, chances are you've been approached by a company offering GPS fleet software. There are a tremendous number of companies now offering gps fleet tracking technology and there are some pretty big differences in those offerings. As a consumer it's easy to be overwhelmed or confused by all the choices and unsure where to invest your hard earned dollars. To simplify your choices a bit, here are three things you should consider before you sign on the dotted line:
The first is the hardware. Not all GPS fleet management hardware is the same. There's a pretty big range in quality and performance. Reliability and data storage are important considerations. Be certain a warranty is provided. Some companies also offer a money back guarantee. This can be very important to you not only in terms of hardware reliability, but also in overall system friendliness and usability.
The second item to consider is the monthly data plan. This is an ongoing cost for as long as you use GPS fleet software. The data plan is what makes it possible to provide you with real time GPS tracking. There really isn't all that much difference in data plan coverage because most of the established GPS tracking companies use the same networks. The big difference will be in the cost and what's included for that monthly cost. Does the company offer system training to ramp you up and help maximize your return on investment? Do they offer ongoing training, full service and support? GPS tracking systems are basically easy to use but as in all things new there is a learning curve, so training is important.
The third item to consider is contract terms. In the early days of GPS fleet software, long term contracts were the norm. Now there is no need to be locked into a long term contract. Some companies will even offer you month to month agreements. The industry is changing rapidly, so it's in your best interests to not be locked into anything long term.
And a bonus fourth thing to consider: The best of all possible situations is to be offered a free trial. This allows you to get a real feel for the system without any risk or obligation on your part.