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The need for car tracking services has increased over the years. This is due to various factors such as the rising concerns over vehicle theft, the growing demand for advanced technology that enhances driver safety, the growth in the fleet management industry, and the convenience of it all.
There are many car tracking services and solutions available in South Africa, but finding the right one can be quite the challenge. Today, we look at the various car tracking services and solutions that we have to offer and also give you insight into how they work. Let’s dive into it!
In this article, you will:
Get a detailed explanation of what car tracking services do
Find out the benefits of car tracking services
Discover what to expect from a tracking service provider
Car tracking services refer to companies that offer GPS and cellular technology for users to monitor their vehicles in real-time. The GPS is primarily responsible for determining the vehicle’s exact location, while the cellular network systems are used for precision, quick data transmission, and other information such as speed and direction.
Exploring the different approaches to car tracking
Not all vehicle tracking systems work in the same way. Some offer live updates, others store information for later use, and some use radio signals instead of GPS. Here’s a short breakdown:
Passive tracking (data loggers): Passive tracking systems act like logbooks. They record GPS locations, speed, and the direction in which the vehicle is moving and then store the information. The data can later be retrieved by connecting the device to a computer.
Active tracking: Active tracking, on the other hand, gives vehicle data updates such as location, direction, and speed in real time. This is made possible through cellular technology, satellites, and a cloud platform.
Although GPS trackers are the primary devices used in vehicle tracking, there are various other types of tracking technology that can be used depending on the purpose. A good example of this is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). This is a wireless tracking method that uses radio waves to identify and track objects automatically. In the fleet management industry, RFID technology is used for driver identification.
The real benefits of using car tracking services
There are many benefits to having a vehicle tracking service, including:
Enhanced vehicle security and theft recovery It’s no secret that vehicle theft is a growing concern in South Africa, with criminals constantly devising new methods to steal vehicles and cargo, making vehicle security the top benefit of having a car tracking service. Through this service, you get theft recovery benefits as well as other tools that will help prevent theft from happening.
Safer driving habits GPS tracking devices usually have IoT technology. This powerful technology is what allows the device to go beyond providing location information. IoT-enabled devices can detect driver behaviours such as speeding or sudden braking. Through this, businesses and individuals can see which driving habits they need to improve on, therefore encouraging safer driving.
Fuel efficiency Fuel accounts for one of the most costly expenses of fleet operations. Every drop of fuel saved makes a huge difference, especially during this time when fuel prices are constantly fluctuating. Using a GPS tracker with telematics capabilities, you can monitor driving habits that increase fuel consumption, such as idling and speeding. A tracking device with telematics capabilities can also detect mechanical issues that increase fuel consumption, such as engine inefficiencies.
Proactive maintenance Speaking of vehicle wear and tear, telematics devices can also detect issues with the engine and give fleet managers alerts that assist in vehicle health checks, such as service reminders, battery warnings, and engine diagnostics. This prevents unexpected breakdowns, as fleet managers will address potential issues before they escalate.
Insight into driver routes and behaviour Vehicle tracking services help fleet managers monitor driver routes in real-time. Through this, fleet managers can see when drivers are deviating from the planned routes or when they are making too many unplanned stops.
Potential insurance discounts Insurance premiums are determined by how much of a risk you pose to the broker. Without a tracking unit, your car stands a greater risk of being stolen and not recovered. For this reason, insurance companies might charge you more on your monthly premiums or refuse to cover your vehicle. Additionally, frequent insurance claims result in premiums going up. With safer driving encouraged by tracking data, you are likely to make fewer claims, therefore reducing the chances of prices going up.
Who can benefit from car tracking solutions?
A vast range of users can gain from these services. From private car owners to small businesses, e-hailing drivers, construction companies, and, of course, those in the business of logistics. Have a look at these two examples that showcase the perks of having a vehicle tracking service:
Parents monitoring young drivers:If you are a parent to a teenager, a car tracking service will help you check their location at any time. You will know when they’ve reached their destinations, as well as see if they are driving responsibly.
Delivery business: Delivery companies can significantly benefit from GPS tracking services. The technology eliminates time-consuming procedures such as the constant phone calls to check where drivers are and reduces the amount of paperwork. Fleet managers can use the software to optimise routes in order to find the best way to get to a delivery destination and get accurate delivery ETAs. This reduces fuel costs and promotes a better customer experience.
Costs, installation, and what to expect from a tracking provider
Cash vs rental It’s important that you know the payment options that a company has to offer. At Cartrack, we have cash and rental options. With a cash contract, you pay for the device upfront, get full ownership, and lower monthly service fees. A rental contract, on the other hand, is a more budget-friendly option that offers flexible payments with lower upfront costs. Your budget and purpose of use will determine which payment option is best for you.
Stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) Not all tracking services include stolen vehicle recovery, so it’s vital to confirm whether your provider offers this essential service. This means you only get access to viewing the location of your vehicle, but should it be stolen, no recovery team will help you retrieve the car. It is important that you know the exact details of what your package entails to avoid signing up for a service that does not cover the basics of vehicle tracking.
Installation A smooth and professional installation is what you should look for. Some providers offer self-installation kits; however, an installation from a skilled technician ensures that it is done correctly, reduces the chances of vehicle parts being damaged during the process, and ensures that the device works optimally.
What tools do you get access to? When signing up for a GPS tracking service, you should expect to have access to a mobile app and a website to simplify the monitoring of vehicle movements in real time. The features should include real-time location sharing, trip replay, vehicle health reports, and ratings based on driving habits. The software should also give you historical data that allows you to review past trips, so you can identify areas of improvement. Furthermore, you should be able to set up alerts that inform you of safety concerns, such as when vehicles have gone over restricted areas.
Warranty and support Ensure your service provider can be trusted and is reliable. There should be customer support readily available for all your queries. Moreover, there should be a device warranty to ensure your unit is fully functional and will be repaired or replaced should there be any faults.
How to choose the right tracking solution for you
Purpose Having a clear outline of your vehicle tracking needs will make it easier for you to find the best solution for you. Ask yourself what the most important activities you’ll be using it for are. Do you just want the service for vehicle security, or will you need additional features to manage a fleet? Once you understand your specific requirements, you can identify the solutions that would best suit you or your business.
Cost Evaluate the upfront costs and subscription fees. Go through the terms and conditions to get a better understanding of any costs you might encounter along the way. Whether budget-friendly or high-end, the price you pay must be worth the service you will get. There should be a good return on investment.
Why choose Cartrack for your vehicle tracking needs
Cartrack is a trusted vehicle tracking company that has been around for over 20 years. We offer budget-friendly options that give individuals and business owners peace of mind. Our key features include:
Real-time tracking Track your vehicle’s location in real-time on the Cartrack mobile app or website. Get satellite views and smart-map overlays to get a view that best suits you. Access a full trip history and replay the journeys, and know the distance and duration of every trip.
Stolen Vehicle Recovery The Cartrack control room service is available 24/7. We have nationwide coverage and a highly trained recovery team that is always on standby, ready to get your car(s) back to you.
Limited recovery warranty So, what happens if your vehicle is not found? With us, that is highly unlikely, as Cartrack has an average recovery rate of 90%. However, in the event that your vehicle is not retrieved, Cartrack offers you up to R150,000 cash-back under its limited recovery warranty. Ts&Cs apply.*
Lifetime maintenance warranty All Cartrack units have a one-year maintenance warranty to ensure that your device functions optimally. You also have the option to extend for lifetime coverage under specific terms.
Crash detection We have technology that automatically detects collisions. When this happens, we will call you or a loved one to find out what’s happening and immediately send help. This speeds up the process of emergency services getting to you, as we will have your exact location. The service comes as a value-added service.
Breakdown assistance To ensure that your car is never left stranded on the road, Cartrack has a value-added service called Protector that provides roadside assistance in the event of a vehicle breakdown. Once again, help will get to you sooner since we will already have access to your live location.
A virtual car guard As an extra layer of protection against vehicle theft, Cartrack has a CarWatch value-added service. All you have to do is click on the option after parking your car and you will get an alert if it moves without your permission.
Driver behaviour insights Our IoT-powered devices allow individuals and fleet managers to monitor aggressive driving habits such as excessive acceleration, harsh braking, harsh cornering, and speeding. This encourages driver accountability and safer driving habits.
Furthermore, through the use of RFID tracking technology, we have driver identification tags that fleet managers can use to immediately identify who is driving which vehicle. This ensures that the business remains compliant by assigning certain types of vehicles to qualified drivers and makes monitoring driving habits easier, as you will know which driver needs training.
Route optimisation Using historical traffic patterns, travel trends, and real-time data, our route optimisation tool suggests the most efficient routes your vehicles can take. This reduces the long routes that increase fuel costs and improves delivery times.
Let us cater for your car tracking needs
Car tracking services are essential for every motorist, and as one of the leading vehicle-tracking service providers in South Africa, we pride ourselves on giving you solutions that cater to all your vehicle needs. Reach out to us and see why we provide one of the best vehicle tracking services and solutions.
Looking for a car tracking service? Have a look at our solution and see why it would best suit you!
