An effective fleet management solution can make the difference between positive and negative cash flow. Excessive fuel usage, emergency vehicle repairs, premature replacement, unscheduled downtime, missed deliveries or delays, and steep insurance premiums are the negative consequences of having too many blind spots when overseeing assets.
To improve your operations, compare top-rated fleet management systems for small to medium-sized businesses.
How to compare top-rated fleet management systems
Consider these factors to find a vendor that fits your fleet size, industry requirements and operational goals to achieve a fast return on investment.
1. Data availability
Active systems transmit live data from tracking devices to servers, enabling continuous monitoring through the software’s dashboard.
On the other hand, passive systems collect and store information on the hardware, which you can download onto a local server via Wi-Fi or manually retrieve by plugging the device into a computer. The tracking equipment can hold information for a specific period, depending on its memory capacity. Collection is continuous, so new data replaces the old once the memory is full.
2. Data precision and accuracy
Most tracking solutions use GPS to gather location information. Atmospheric conditions, satellite geometry, environmental obstructions and hardware quality can affect signal strength, influencing data precision and accuracy. The information refreshes at predetermined intervals.
3. Geofencing
This feature creates virtual boundaries around real-world areas and alerts you when drivers enter or exit these zones.
4. Vehicle monitoring
Fleet management systems use telematics devices to collect data on vehicles to measure their location, speed, performance, fuel usage and more. This capability is essential for logging mileage, identifying fuel consumption patterns, detecting mechanical issues and recording damage for insurance claims purposes.
5. Driver behavior monitoring
Telematics systems check how drivers behave behind the wheel. This technology tracks maneuvers like acceleration, deceleration, hard braking and cornering, as well as mobile phone usage.
6. Route optimization
This functionality determines the most efficient ways to deliver cargo. Automated route optimization minimizes manual input and relies on algorithms to plan routes based on distance, traffic conditions, delivery windows and driver availability. It uses real-time data to dynamically adjust course recommendations to avoid bottlenecks caused by vehicular accidents, road closures and other causes of congestion.
Systems that support manual route planning let drivers use their knowledge, experience and best judgment to select which roads to take to shorten delivery time and reduce fuel consumption.
7. Platform access
Fleet tracking platforms are accessible via web browsers, mobile apps or both. They usually restrict access to managers and drivers, but may provide seats for other team members. Offline capabilities render data available when internet service is limited.
8. Dispatch and scheduling
Quality fleet management systems automate job assignment and streamline work order management.
9. Communication
Two-way messaging between dispatchers and drivers enables real-time instructions, updates and feedback. Automatic crash detection simplifies accident reporting and minimizes emergency response time, while a physical panic button lets drivers ask for help in any predicament, no matter where they are.
Two-way messaging allows dispatchers and drivers to chat and discuss business matters more clearly. Driver-facing apps can receive updates and alerts.
10. Reporting and analytics
Fleet management solutions generate various reports for operational management and compliance. These systems can produce and store proof of delivery, such as timestamps, digital signatures and photos. Their historical data is available for trend analysis, providing insights to improve fleet performance, conserve fuel and lower costs.
11. Compatibility and integration
Electronic logging devices (ELDs), telematics systems and other hardware used in fleet management may work only with specific vehicles. Device installation requirements affect compatibility. Vibration tolerance and weather resistance are important considerations, too.
Some software solutions are more integrable than others. The fleet management systems that get high ratings often can exchange data with the most common enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, accounting and payroll tools. An open API enables custom integrations.
12. Scalability
Adaptable fleet management systems adjust to business changes. They make adding or removing assets to reflect fleet size expansion or contraction easy, and they let you adopt more advanced features to suit new operational needs.
Leading fleet management systems for small and midsize companies support multiple locations, allowing you to manage geographically separated assets. They let you add new users or remove old ones as needed.
13. Support
Vendors provide technical support. Leading providers are reachable through various channels, including phone, email and chat, and provide self-help resources like tutorials and FAQ sections.
Support teams can be available 24/7 or only during business hours. The faster the response time, the more reliable they are.
14. Pricing
Vendors generally charge per vehicle. They may offer different payment frequency options and provide discounts to customers willing to pay months in advance.
Note which features are standard and which are add-ons. Extra functionalities increase the cost. Some fleet management system vendors advertise their plans and prices for small and medium-sized organizations, while others prefer to provide custom quotes after the initial consultation.
15. Years in business
Long-standing fleet management solution providers inspire confidence. Being in business for decades demonstrates their reliability and ability to improve their services.
Newer companies may lack the operational expertise of established vendors, but they can tailor their offerings for specific niches to differentiate themselves.
7 Top-rated fleet management systems for small and medium-sized businesses
Here are the seven best vendors based on the above criteria. Learn what makes each special.
- Track your truck
Track Your Truck is a top-rated fleet management system for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a broad range of devices to meet different operational needs, installation preferences and budgets.
This vendor’s smart tracking technology produces real-time insights for improving fleet efficiency and safety. Its trackers are accurate up to 10 feet in optimal conditions, and its telematics devices support 4G technology. Its onboard diagnostics (OBD) devices detect engine errors and immediately send alerts. Track Your Truck’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered dash cams warn against tailgating, lane departure and forward collisions. They also detect driver fatigue and distracted driving, calling out drivers for undesirable behaviors through phone-to-ear alerts to ensure proper asset usage.
This established fleet management solution provider has mobile and desktop apps. Track Your Truck integrates with various applications and tools, including Arrivy, AutoGuard, Fibersmith Vision™, JRS Innovation, Powercode, Puush and Sonar.
- Advanced tracking technologies inc. (atti)
ATTI focuses on functionality over fancy features. It keeps things simple to ensure a shallow learning curve, helping nontechnical users maximize its fleet management system’s capabilities as quickly as possible.
This vendor excels at precision fleet monitoring. It can update location data every 10 seconds, amounting to 15 million daily updates, which gives you comprehensive fleet visibility. Aside from precisely pinpointing your assets’ whereabouts at any given point and time, ATTI can also keep tabs on driver activity live. It logs idling, speeding, geofencing, vehicle usage and other metrics you care about.
This fleet management solution provider serves North America. It works with businesses with different fleet sizes – making it suitable for growing enterprises starting with a single vehicle and for larger corporations with numerous assets.
- Geotab
Geotab is an adaptable and integrable fleet management solution. The latest generation of its hardware features faster processors and more memory. Its platform supports third-party devices, like sensors and cameras, enabling modular hardware expansion to enhance your asset monitoring capabilities with more flexibility.
This vendor specializes in AI. Its web-based, cloud-hosted platform’s AI-powered assist provides fleet insights to aid decision-making. Patented algorithms drive its active vehicle tracking capabilities. Geotab can support your sustainability goals with its electric vehicle tracking and carbon emissions monitoring features. It also provides fleet electrification tools to plan your transition more effectively.
Partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) support Geotab’s direct hardware integrations. This provider allows you to develop custom apps and add-ins through its free API and software development kits (SDKs).
- Airiq
AirIQ receives high ratings for being an innovative fleet management system provider. It uses AI to enhance predictive analytics and automate workflows. Its technology converts real-time telematics data into actionable intelligence to support quick decision-making.
This vendor has advanced sensors that monitor tire pressure, brakes, light circuits and cargo in real time. These devices alert you when something’s wrong to help improve fuel efficiency, prevent blowouts, reduce maintenance costs and prevent theft. AirIQ supports video telematics to capture live footage with multiple camera views, keep drivers honest and record safety incidents to back insurance claims.
This provider has no lengthy contract and doesn’t charge any cancellation fees. Such a policy helps you adapt to new fleet management needs better.
- Wireless links
Wireless Links simplifies fleet management. Its platform is intuitive and has the essentials necessary to monitor your assets. This provider’s hardware selection includes battery-powered, solar-powered and hybrid trackers – all of which have sufficient functionalities to comply with regulations.
This vendor serves the needs of local delivery companies, construction firms and school bus owners. It targets these niches to optimize its offerings for select small and medium-sized businesses that usually find it challenging to source relevant tools. Its GPS tracking devices are plug-and-play and are installable with a wide range of fleet vehicles using various cable options.
Wireless Links makes scaling simple. This provider allows customers to begin with a few trackers and expand as their operational needs grow.
- Gps insight
GPS Insight is an end-to-end fleet and field service management solution provider. It offers advanced features to small and midsize businesses. This vendor helps you grow your company with capabilities typically reserved for major players in the construction, energy and utilities, transportation and government sectors.
This company’s comprehensive software can track vehicles, trailers and equipment, intelligently plan routes, and provide automated reporting and alerts. Its hardware has plug-in and hardwired options. GPS Insight’s smart cameras capture crisp video recordings, have wide angles and significantly reduce blind spots. They also provide AI-driven driver coaching and safety assistance.
GPS Insight’s system supports dozens of third-party integrations. Its customizable dashboard lets you view performance metrics and cost analysis.
- Usfleettracking
USFleetTracking offers highly rated in-house hardware and software fleet management solutions for small and midsize companies from various industries. This strategy ensures seamless integration and effective technical support.
This vendor has excellent active tracking capabilities, including five- to 10-second location updates, live weather monitoring, route management with deviation alerts, geofencing and 90-day historical activity data playback. Its cameras have an advanced driver-assistance system for safety. Driver behavior analysis detects dangerous maneuvers, like speeding and aggressive acceleration.
This provider has flexible contracts. It offers agreements spanning 12, 24 and 36 months, and lets you begin without commitment. USFleetTracking offers free hardware with periodic promotions.
Comparing leading fleet management systems for small to medium-sized businesses
Here’s a summary of the notable capabilities of leading fleet management solution providers.
|
Vendor |
Years in Business |
Notable Capabilities |
|
Track Your Truck |
27-plus years |
|
|
ATTI |
30-plus years |
|
|
Geotab |
25-plus years |
|
|
AirIQ |
28-plus years |
|
|
Wireless Links |
25-plus years |
|
|
GPS Insight |
21-plus years |
|
|
USFleetTracking |
20-plus years |
|
Partner with a top-rated fleet management system vendor
Comparing fleet management solutions can be challenging, but focusing on these seven vendors should simplify your search. Research each provider’s offerings thoroughly to find the perfect fit for your small or medium-sized business.
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