Vehicle fleets are a tremendous asset for many companies. For longevity, these assets must be well maintained. It's unfortunate when assets are not managed to ensure an extended lifecycle value.
Today there are great asset tracking devices that extend fleet lifecycles.
This article will review the top seven asset tracking systems. We'll also do a deep dive on the fleet GPS tracking system that proves the greatest benefit. Read on to learn the latest from fleet tracking dash cams to valuable asset trackers.
Explore Linxup Asset Trackers: Daily Tracker ATLT | Wired Tracker AT3 | Solar Tracker
A fleet of vehicles needs regular maintenance. It requires planning and diagnostic work. And it also needs a real-time service and repair schedule. This way, the vehicles will work better for longer periods of time.
Fleet management software can help you know when vehicles need repairs. This can be oil changes, new tires, gas, etc. If you have a problem, it can be expensive and cause downtime.
Tracking software can alert you to problems in real-time. This can take the guesswork out of maintenance. When an engine fault code pops up, the system can also display the details of the code.
Reports and vehicle data can track the vehicle's history. Managers can know which equipment needs replacement based on a deteriorating lifecycle.
To maximize your investment, you can establish maintenance criteria to track. This might include:
Many of the tracking systems allow you to program scheduled maintenance. This keeps your vehicles fresh with preventative maintenance. The systems can also alert drivers to review their maintenance checklists. This might include:
For this article, we reviewed many asset tracking devices and their related software. There was one clear winner, which we will share more detail about. To compare devices/software, we reviewed each one from a specific functional standpoint.
But first, here are the top seven asset tracking devices:
This tracking system uses GPS supported by a worldwide network of 24 satellites. This allows you to track vehicle speed, route, and many more features. The system uses 4G technology to send information at the speed of light.
If the vehicle is out of cell tower range, the device will hold the information until it can send a clear signal. The devices plug into the OBD-II port and then you activate them from the system.
Explore Linxup Asset Trackers: Daily Tracker ATLT | Wired Tracker AT3 | Solar Tracker
This tracking system focuses on tracking smaller items that can't move at top speeds. The product focuses on small moveable assets like power tools or medical equipment.
This is due to its limitations of tracking in real-time. It also is unable to automate GPS tracking. They offer a free 14-day trial, and many standard tracking reports.
FEATURES
This tracking system keeps everything on a high level. Their system is not able to do a deep dive into details. The system does take advantage of geofencing alerts when an item moves out of a given zone.
FEATURES
This tracking system can hold a lot of information on a per asset basis. This can include certifications, maintenance history, and other database-oriented items. The system is set for unlimited users so each employee can have access.
Unfortunately, it is not intuitive and is difficult for the average person to use.
FEATURES
This tracking system can report on engine hours and poor operating habits. The hardware is plug-and-play with an option for hardwired. If the company chooses to hardwire the devices it requires a trained installer.
The system offers rugged units for bad weather. The greatest deterrent is the limited feature set. Too many companies can outgrow this system in a short time frame.
FEATURES
This system can track both fleets and assets as separate categories. It stores historical data for up to a year. The system is only for high-level use and can't store detailed data.
FEATURES
This tracking system excels at tracking similar assets. The software allows you to track the number of duplicate items. The solution is available in both cloud and premise-based solutions.
The system does offer communication support for users. Although it does not work on portable assets. In other words, it is best used inside warehouses and not on the road.
FEATURES
Linxup is the easier of systems to use and provides the most standout features. This results in a far greater benefit to price ratio for users. In fact, over 46,000 customers have chosen Linxup.
So here are the details:
Linxup uses 4G technology. Cell towers and 24 satellites support the GPS. This gives the system worldwide coverage.
This network communicates in real-time at the speed of light. When out of cell range, the device stores the information and forwards it once back in range. The device captures:
To activate a tracking device, it's plugged into the vehicle's OBD-II port. It is then activated with intuitive software. It doesn't need any professional training to connect the device to the system.
The mobile app works on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computer. The dashboard gives a quick glance at the following:
Vehicle trackers draw data every minute when moving and every hour when the vehicle is off. Equipment trackers report every 10-minutes when powered and moving. They report once a day when running on battery.
Solar-powered trackers report every three hours.
The intuitive Google Maps interface displays vehicles separate from equipment. Fleet updates are automatic and appear upon movement. The interface also shows traffic conditions at the moment as well.
The vehicle tracker can rank driver performance from best to worst. The reports can include all types of driving activity. This can include speeds, stops, etc.
You can even pull up a driver safety score.
The driver's history is interactive using a route replay animation. You can segment the trip for an easy review of activities. And, there are some street-level details available for greater analysis.
The system also tracks drivers that change vehicles often.
You can set up the vehicles for times and days of use. The system allows you to set a schedule of authorized hours and reduce idling time to save fuel. The fuel savings runs about 20% using this feature.
A series of reports turns the data into productive conversations. You can restructure real-time alerts to daily or hourly summaries. These reports empower managers to increase their driver's performance.
Standard reports include:
The intuitive interface allows you to customize alert settings as needed. This helps to isolate evaluations of groups and individuals.
For instance, let's say you have a driver that uses too much fuel. You can set an alert to notify you when their idle time exceeds your criteria.
You can also program an alert for time-sensitive device tampering. Or, if immediate notification is not necessary, it can be set for hourly or daily summaries.
Standard alerts might include:
This tracking system has a built-in maintenance management system to check:
This system allows the scheduling of service events for each vehicle. They can be mileage or date-based. The system can keep a history of past service records.
The system can also alert managers of trouble codes. In fact, a check engine warning light can appear in map view. The user can immediately drill down on any trouble code alerts to learn the details of the needed repair.
These alerts can go out via email and text.
This report is an add-on module that simplifies IFTA reporting. The module integrates into the system and can report fuel and milage tax summaries. It can also calculate fuel-tax information for each vehicle.
The report can detail gallons of fuel, the state's tax rates, tollway miles, and the fuel tax that is due. The US State Department of Transportation approved the module for use.
The field productivity module is a great add-on for a small monthly fee. This empowers key personnel to manage and dispatch jobs. You can also message individual drives and broadcast all drivers.
Managers can also track and report actual times worked by drivers.
The module can provide directions on a turn-by-turn basis. Maintain job assignment history and job progress. And, get real-time job completion alerts.
The data can also tie to time cards and payroll. This means workers are only paid for hours worked.
There are a variety of sensors available. They can track Power Take Off, tow arms, lift gates, refrigeration, and more. Weatherproof trackers can handle extreme conditions from marine to desert environments.
These sensors report four times per hour.
The tracking system also allows API integration with data management systems. And, you can customize any trigger events and thresholds for alert settings.
This can include temperature monitoring for foods and other perishables. The reporting would be in real-time to solidify cold chain management. This results in an immediate technician being dispatch to avoid downtime.
There is also gear for trailer tracking.
This tracking system also includes smaller tracking devices. The Linxup Mini GPS Tracker is an ideal asset tracker for small jobs. It allows you to track family members, tools, and other valuables.
The Mini Tracker fits into work bags, instrument cases, camera bags, backpacks, etc.
When workers go on location, managers can track their time in and out of each location. This allows for better customer service for the next customer visit. The customer can receive a call with an accurate arrival estimate.
The mini Tracker can track vehicles using the magnetic case. The only concern is making sure it is well charged every 14-days. The system will notify you when the battery gets low and requires charging.
The Linxup Dash Cam with GPS improves driver safety and behavior. It can capture real-time video of the road and cabin. It can also upload videos when the vehicle is off.
This is an excellent tool to reduce false claims and lower liability.
The videos record 24/7, even when the vehicle is off. The software can pair the footage with speed and other data. The camera can store up to 66-hours of footage.
After assessing the top devices and fleet GPS tracking systems, it is clear that Linxup is the best for asset tracking as well. Linxup excels at vehicle tracking and trailer tracking. Their latest fleet tracking Dash Cam protects vehicles from false claims and liability.
The tracking system is assessable via smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computers. The reporting and maintenance scheduling are customizable.
Linxup also supplies customers with free support. The installation is simple and devices can be functional within 30-minutes.
Contact Linxup today to learn more about how they can save you money. Feel free to contact our friendly sales team; reach out to us by clicking here on your phone or dialing: 1-877-907-0801.
Explore Linxup Asset Trackers: Daily Tracker ATLT | Wired Tracker AT3 | Solar Tracker