Managing a fleet of heavy commercial vehicles presents several challenges. Fleet coordinators must always be aware of key factors, such as what drivers get up to daily, vehicle performance, fuel usage, and whether deliveries arrive on time. In a fast-paced and competitive environment like the transport and logistics industry, efficient fleet management is crucial.
To combat these challenges, fleet businesses must invest in comprehensive vehicle tracking solutions that specifically cater to heavy vehicles, as the level of care required for such vehicles is unlike that of others.
Let's explore what it takes to manage a fleet of heavy vehicles and identify the essential tracking solutions for such operations.
Most trucking companies use a fleet management system to monitor their trucks. With the system comes a form of tracking that goes beyond knowing where the vehicles are. A fleet management system provides advanced tools that offer insight into vehicle health, efficient route planning, driver safety, and overall operational expenses. We delve deeper into how it works later in this article, so read on.
At the heart of most vehicle tracking systems are powerful technologies, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and telematics. When integrated, these smart tools become the three core components of vehicle tracking.
In simple terms, here’s how they work:
The information gathered from this system is what makes vehicle tracking essential for many, if not all, companies in the logistics and transport industry.
Here are some of the main features you should look for when looking for vehicle tracking solutions for your fleet:
Research from Gitnux reveals that the rapid expansion of the global fleet management market is driven by new advancements in telematics, AI, and sustainability. Some of the key highlights include the following:
The statistics presented in this report further demonstrate the significant impact a vehicle tracking system can have on fleet businesses of all kinds and why you need to choose an industry leader, such as Cartrack, to keep your business steps ahead.
Supermarket Farms is a supplier of fresh, high-quality produce. They’ve been supplying products to restaurants, hotels and catering companies around Gauteng for over 30 years.
Their main challenge was that they needed technology that could help them see exactly where their drivers were at all times to help them ensure there were no unnecessary detours or delays, so they could keep produce fresh and enhance productivity and customer experience.
How we helped them:
"Cartrack's system has benefited our business’s productivity, helping with logistics and improving driver turnaround times. It has helped us make sure there are no delays and route detours, saving us petrol because the drivers are staying on the exact routes.” - Nelson Duarte, Co-owner, Supermarket Farms.
To make the choice easier for you, here is an overview of the top solutions we offer for heavy vehicles:
Heavy vehicles come in various sizes that are under different licence categories. It is essential that drivers only operate vehicles for which they are qualified. To mitigate this issue, we have driver identification (DID) tags that make it easier for you to know who’s using which vehicle and to prevent unauthorised driving. You have the option to configure the tag to prevent ignition from being switched on if the wrong driver attempts to do so.
Create digital fences around designated areas to ensure that drivers stay within their assigned zones and adhere to their schedules. This enhances safety, as you will receive alerts whenever drivers are outside the stipulated areas, which may indicate possible detours or security risks.
It is no secret that vehicle theft is a huge concern in our country, and with commercial vehicles, the loss has a ripple effect. It’s more than just the vehicle; it's the goods in transit that cost a fortune, the clients who are expecting deliveries, and the overall company reputation. With us, you can rest assured that your vehicles are in safe hands.
Our large team of skilled recovery agents is available nationwide and always ready to assist. We have also successfully recovered more than 100,000 stolen vehicles in the past decade. A proven legacy of trust, innovation, and relentless success.
We also know that many companies in the transportation and logistics business have trucks that operate beyond our borders. For this reason, our GPS tracking devices feature international roaming, which allows us to receive a signal from your device locally and across borders. This is a vital value-added service for vehicles travelling out of the country.
Our telematics systems give you alerts and reports on behaviours such as idling, harsh cornering, and speeding. This ensures that you identify drivers who require additional training. It further reduces the likelihood of accidents that may result in injuries, fatalities, extensive repairs, costly lawsuits, or reputational damage.
Vehicle tracking also means visibility into driver behaviour through camera technology. A lot can happen on the road, and sometimes you don't need to hear about it; you actually need to see it yourself.
With Cartrack’s AI Multi Vision camera solutions, you can get up to 8 cameras installed in and around the vehicles. This provides a comprehensive view of what's happening in and around the vehicles, allowing you to live stream from anywhere. If you spot suspicious activities, you can quickly check up on drivers and ask what's happening.
The AI-powered cameras from this solution can easily detect when drivers are distracted by various things, such as cellphone use, smoking, or drowsiness. Once detected, the system then sends out audible alerts, allowing drivers to quickly correct their actions.
Optimise task prioritisation to boost productivity, cut operational costs, and avoid longer travel times and unnecessary fuel consumption. The Cartrack Route Optimisation feature is an advanced software that helps you plan trips to ensure efficient operations and timely deliveries. It factors in things such as historical traffic patterns and road conditions to provide the best route for drivers to reach their destinations.
Our preventative maintenance solution will help you keep up with the health of your fleet to avoid unplanned downtime and ensure compliance. It provides real-time alerts of any engine faults, oil and water fluctuations, worn-out brake pads, and other diagnostics. Our systems also provide you with reminders of scheduled service dates, so you don’t miss any.
A vehicle tracking system is a must-have for every fleet business, but choosing one that specifically caters to your business's needs is pivotal. By partnering with us, you choose a reliable service that has cable tracking solutions for a heavy vehicle fleet. We will ensure that your vehicles are protected, and we provide accurate, real-time data to improve business operations and help you make informed decisions. Contact us today to speak with a fleet consultant.
How do companies track packages?
Delivery companies first assign a unique barcode or QR code to a package. This code must include all relevant details, such as the delivery address, sender's information, recipient's information, and tracking number.
Every time the package reaches a new location, the barcode must be scanned to inform the company and customers of its status. They also use real-time location systems (RTLS), such as GPS, to track delivery in real-time, optimise routes, and analyse distance and travel times.
What is the top tracker system?
Cartrack is regarded as one of the leading vehicle tracking companies in South Africa. In just over 20 years in the industry, Cartrack has achieved numerous milestones and offers a diverse range of solutions for personal vehicles and fleet businesses.
We also have the highest rating on Hello Peter and were voted The Star’s Best Vehicle Tracking Company for 2023 in the Readers’ Choice Awards.
Ensure your fleet of heavy vehicles is equipped with a top vehicle tracking solution that enhances efficiency and keeps your vehicles secure.
