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Read moreThe negative impacts of vehicle theft poses serious challenges for a company. This is not only because of the money potentially lost but also for the time the business needs to re-establish normal workflows and continue attending to customers ́needs.
There are, on average, 11,000 vehicle thefts in Ireland every year. While the vast majority of stolen vehicles are recovered within 48 hours, around 2,000 are never regained. Unrecovered vehicles typically end up in scrap yards, dismantled and sold as spare parts. Sellers with false identities normally take on any vehicles that avoid the scrapheap. They often then sell these stolen vehicles on to an innocent purchaser.
Although Irish authorities are taking some action on this problem, implementing a high- quality immobilisation and fleet management solution is nevertheless crucial. These technologies can prove to be a vital ally in helping to safeguard a fleet’s vehicles and assets from theft. Here are some of the ways in which immobilisation solutions can help to protect your fleet from theft:
Easily locate drivers and vehicles
A vehicle immobilisation and fleet management solution helps you to monitor the status of the drivers within your team, as well as the location of your vehicles and assets. The GPS locations of the entire fleet are then transmitted in near real-time. This helps to reduce the risk of theft and increase the likelihood of recovery. Increased vehicle recovery rates can then save businesses from the additional cost of buying new vehicles to replace stolen ones.
Plugged into a vehicle’s OBD port, vehicle immobilisation devices use GPS to monitor more than just vehicle location. Additional data such as sudden accelerations, hard braking or harsh cornering can be tracked. You can also monitor non-powered assets such as generators and containers through battery powered GPS devices. These can alert fleet managers, via geofencing, should any of the tracked equipment leave the worksite without prior knowledge or arrangement. Read about the benefits of asset tracking here.
Security protocol against vehicle theft
Having a security protocol in place for vehicle theft is essential for helping a business avoid large financial losses. The live tracking capability of a GPS solution can prove to be a useful addition to any security protocol, as it can greatly assist businesses in locating vehicles in cases of theft. It also provides you with the necessary information needed to contact the relevant authorities, who may be able to assist with the recovery.
Mobile apps built for Android and iOS smartphones provide fleet managers with the means to follow up on unexpected vehicle movements and respond from anywhere, at any time, not just during business hours.
Set geofence notification alerts
A fleet management solution that uses GPS tracking technology allows you to set a virtual security fence or perimeter around a specific location. Receive notifications, in near real-time, if one of the fleet’s vehicles enters or exits the specified perimeter. This way, you have complete control and oversight on the movements of your fleet.
Additionally, you can check to see the identity of the driver in order to verify that the vehicle use has been authorised. In the case of any suspicious activity, you can utilise this technology to act quickly and notify the necessary authorities.
Immobilise vehicles remotely
Unauthorised use of company vehicles can prove costly. Some potential consequences include additional mileage, wear and tear, increased fuel consumption and damage to a business’s reputation. Immobilisation technology allows you to shut down any vehicle in the fleet remotely, in just a few clicks, providing an extra layer of vehicle security. If the vehicle is in motion, it will be disabled as soon as it comes to a stop.
In extreme cases, when you become aware that a vehicle has been taken without consent, the first moments are absolutely vital.
With immobilisation technology installed, you can take immediate action and help to locate and recover the vehicle.
Additional benefits of telematics
Near real-time vehicle immobilisation systems can help you to improve the safety and well-being of your fleet, helping to give you peace of mind. In addition to protecting a business from potential vehicle theft, telematics can also help contribute towards cutting down fuel and labour costs. Tasks can be automated in order to improve fleet efficiency and the overall productivity of the entire business.
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