How Electric Companies Can Benefit from GPS Fleet Tracking
4 Nov 2015
The electric industry is a challenging industry when it comes to seeking out new ways to save money. Whether you’re a public utility, investor owned, or a cooperative utility cutting costs is a big deal to investors, customers, and the cooperative in general. The strict regulations electric companies face on local and federal levels, though, makes cutting costs a little more difficult. But, GPS tracking offers several opportunities for electric utilities to lower their operating costs. These are a few important examples.
Reduce Fuel Costs for Electrical Service Calls
This is the most basic reason to consider GPS fleet tracking. GPS fleet tracking updates more frequently than even the best of maps. This makes getting lost a thing of the past. Eliminating countless wasted miles. Additionally, GPS fleet tracking tools will reroute drivers around stalled traffic and accidents so that less time, and fuel, is wasted idling. Additional fuel saving features, such as notifications for drivers driving above designated speeds can stretch fuel budgets even further.
Lower Labor Costs for Electric Utility Drivers in the Field
Labor is where the bulk of businesses spend their money. Whether your electric utility is a for profit or not-for-profit entity, saving money on things like fuel and labor are simply smart choices for everyone concerned. By routing drivers more efficiently, by working with the nearest driver rather than the closest dispatch center, for instance, the time spent driving will be more efficient and less wasteful. This can result in fewer overtime hours by itself.
However, there are other ways GPS fleet tracking reduces labor costs, almost an unintended benefit of the tracking. This is by keeping your drivers on task and where they’re supposed to be. GPS fleet tracking eliminates on the clock detours for personal errands and such. Drivers are less likely to take advantage of the fact that they are in the field when they know their locations and movements are being tracked.
Diminishing Insurance Costs for Electric Utility Trucks
Insurance companies love GPS fleet tracking for many reasons. Vehicles with GPS fleet tracking installed are easier to track in the event of theft, which acts as a theft deterrent in and of itself, can establish a safe driving history, and offer proof of safe driving when accidents occur and lawsuits are filed. The appreciate GPS fleet tracking systems so much that they offer deep discounts to companies who use them.
This is a two-fold benefit for electric utility companies, though, as it makes drivers more aware of how they are driving. This means they are less likely to take unnecessary risks, which cuts down on the number of accidents, resulting in safe driving discounts from insurance providers too.
These are simply the financial benefits of GPS fleet tracking on utility industry vehicles. They only scratch the surface. Other benefits include the ability to provide more accurate repair and restore windows to customers without power, the ability to avoid impassable roads in the aftermath of storms and still reach your destination, and the ability to track electric utility vehicle locations at all times.
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