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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.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle” rose by 7% (to 115,777) in the year ending June 2019. Furthermore, there were 876,000 vehicle theft incidents in England and Wales from October 2018 to September 2019. That amounts to 2,400 vehicles stolen per day.
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.
Find the right solution for your business with our free Fleet Management Buyer’s Guide.
