When it comes to over the road (OTR) trucking, drivers end up carrying freight over long distances and can spend weeks at a time on the road. This includes hauling machinery, construction materials, large equipment, and more.
With that in mind, trucking industry leaders need to be able to manage and coordinate their vehicles to ensure timely and safe deliveries. Today, companies leverage an area known as telematics, which involves advanced software that makes up a comprehensive fleet management system.
Read on to better understand how OTR fleet management works, the challenges it poses to the industry, as well as the benefits of adopting a reliable fleet management system.
Telematics and Fleet Management Systems
In a previous article, we explained that telematics is the intersection between telecommunications and information processing. Specifically, vehicle telematics includes everything from GPS receivers and SIM cards to an accelerometer and an engine interface.
When handling asset tracking for fleet management, GPS tracking technology is a major focus for the trucking industry. While in-cab telematics devices are extremely useful in gathering information and optimizing assets, GPS trackers can be more discreet and therefore, easier to leverage for advanced asset tracking.
At Morey, we offer our state-of-the-art rugged tracker – the Slap-N-Track. Our Slap-N-track provides periodic tracking, motion tracking and stolen asset tracking to help fleet managers gain control over their OTR assets.
The Importance of GPS Asset Tracking
Some might wonder whether advanced GPS asset tracking technology is necessary for fleet management. While it may be possible to manage an OTR fleet without advanced tracking devices, this opens a company up to many risks, including theft, loss, and damage of equipment.
How Asset Tracking Technology Works
The process of GPS asset tracking involves attaching a small GPS device to the designated truck, which can then transmit data back to the asset tracking system for fleet managers to monitor. Oftentimes, GPS trackers for OTR trucking vary by manufacturer and include customizable features based on the fleet’s specific needs.
In addition to locating your vehicles, sophisticated GPS asset tracking can also provide alerts related to driver safety and vehicle maintenance requirements.
Benefits of Asset Tracking Technology
By investing in reliable GPS tracking for your OTR fleet, you experience benefits that lead to a competitive edge in the market. For instance, GPS tracking for OTR fleet improves efficiency, customer service, compliance, profitability, and safety through features and capabilities offered.
For example, when fleet managers know where their vehicles are 100% of the time, customers benefit by receiving their products when expected. In addition, keeping track of vehicles ensures that companies don’t face risk regulatory fines for inadequate documentation.
Key Features of GPS Tracking Systems in Fleet Management
A recent study related to GPS tracking systems in logistics uncovered some of the key features that lead to effective asset tracking, including real-time tracking, smart moving alerts, geo-fencing alerts, speeding alerts, and battery or car power operation.
Morey’s Slap-N-Track device is one example of a configurable tracker that allows fleet managers to monitor their assets in any situation or environment. Additional features include a 10+ year battery life, 3GPP-Approved LTE-M & NB-IoT Technologies, and IP69K Sealed Housing.
Challenges of Fleet Asset Tracking
Of course, despite the great benefits of fleet asset tracking, there are challenges for fleet managers to overcome in order to make the most of GPS tracking devices. Some of the greatest challenges the trucking industry faces include the following:
- Signal failure
- Inaccuracy
- Driving distraction
- Privacy issues
- Commercial Exploitation
- Lack of internal technical knowledge
While these challenges may hinder some companies from advancing their asset tracking systems for fleet management, it’s important to understand how to account for shortcomings of asset tracking technology while getting the most out of what they have to offer at this time. The benefits far outweigh the costs in terms of efficiency and improving return on investment.
Morey’s Real-time OTR Fleet Tracking
The experts at Morey are working diligently to develop the latest technology for over the road trucking. With over 85 years of experience in the industry, we offer everything from advanced telematics devices like the MC-4+ for maximizing fleet efficiency, to the discreet Slap-N-Track rugged tracker for stolen asset detection.
Our capable, configurable, and durable Internet of Things (IoT) devices provide fleet managers greater control and add a layer of strategic excellence to their company. To find out more about what Morey has to offer for OTR fleet management, schedule a demo today.