MiX Telematics Ltd.

08/11/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/11/2021 05:14

How fleets can use app-based tracking

App-based tracking is an easy and cost-effective way to manage vehicles that are not a part of your core fleet like rented or leased vehicles, sub-contracted vehicles and so forth. It is especially great for instances where installing hardware is not feasible due to time constraints or permission. But how is app-based tracking being used in the real world?

Small-to-medium businesses

Not every business has a fleet of 50 vehicles and more. For example, a small landscaping business that only operates in a certain suburb may need only one or two vehicles to get all the jobs done. In such instances, it doesn't always make sense to install hardware but it does make sense to use an app to track these vehicles. The drivers don't need special training to use it and all that's needed is compatible phones. If that small-to-medium business eventually starts to grow and expand, that tracking app had served as a great trial to see the benefits that fleet visibility can provide.

Seasonal demand

Oftentimes companies have to sub-contract vehicles because of seasonal peaks in demand. Seasonal demand is a certain time period with repetitive or predictable patterns of demand due to re-occurring seasonal events (like holidays). You may not always need those extra vehicles throughout the year but you may need to add some vehicles for a few weeks at a time.

Not only would you struggle to get permission to install hardware in sub-contracted vehicles but it also wouldn't make sense to spend the money to do so for vehicles that wouldn't be a permanent addition to your fleet. App-based tracking is perfect for this type of situation. You can still see exactly how drivers are performing on the road and where their journeys take them. Trip monitoring can be very important when it comes to seasonal demand because it can inform how many vehicles you need to actually be sub-contracting during the next peak and whether you may have to purchase an additional fleet vehicle to handle daily operations.

Maintenance

It's a fact that your vehicles will need to go in for maintenance or might need to be repaired after damage. During these times, you will be one or more vehicles down and that can be detrimental to your day-to-day operations. This means you might need to lease a vehicle to operate in place of that 'missing' vehicle. App-based tracking is perfect in these types of situations as you can still collect data about your drivers' performance and activities while they're in these temporary vehicles so you don't have gaps in your fleet management reporting.

Additionally, you protect your relationship with the leasing company as you know your driver isn't damaging their vehicles through risky driving because they might think out of sight means out of mind and you can correct the behavior by sending alerts should they, for example, speed or brake too harshly.

See how mobile fleet management and tracking can help your fleet by reading more about the MyMiX Tracking app: https://www.mixtelematics.com/mymix/