Car rental is becoming one of the fastest growing businesses in the transportation industry nowadays.
Straight proportionally to that rent a car companies are increasing their demand for buying rental fleet tracking solutions. The reasons behind it are numerous. On the one hand, some rental companies want to implement rental fleet tracking to eliminate the risk of their customers running off with the car.
Regardless of the unique reasons that rental companies have, all of them are facing a single common problem- which is choosing and buying the right fleet tracking solution.
So, further in this article you have the chance to read more and read about the 10 important things to know before buying rental fleet tracking. Let’s take a look!
How Big Is Your Rental Fleet
In order to determine the right number of rental fleet tracking devices you are in need of, you will first of all have to determine the right number of your rental fleet.
Yet, another thing that you will have to determine too is whether all of your rent-a-cars will be equipped with this innovative solution?
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Simply said, make your plans.
But, you will have to have in mind that the bigger your fleet is, that is to say the bigger your demand is- the higher the chances are that you will receive discounts from the GPS provider.
Check is There Any Long-Term Contract Required
Choosing the right rental fleet tracking is not an easy process to go through.
To start with, there are many things that one should check before selecting the right rental fleet tracking.
Yet, one of the most important things that you will have to check is if there are any long-term contracts required.
Still, why do most GPS providers insist on long-term contracts?
There are few reasons that stand behind their requirement for long-term contracts.
The first and foremost aspect is the financial of course. GPS rental fleet tracking providers tend to stick their clients with GPS tracking contracts due to the fact that GPS tracking contracts do put more cash in their pocket.
So, on your way of choosing the right rental fleet tracking device pay special attention to this aspect.
In general, GPS providers tend to book contracts on a three to four-year basis.
On the other hand, the long-term GPS contracts hide the true hardware pricing. These contracts are enabling GPS providers to reduce the capital outlay of the customer, while at the same time hiding the true hardware pricing.
Also, GPS providers tend to increase the hardware margins for the provider.
Hence, what is truly best for your rental fleet? Is it better to get an affordable GPS that does not require a long-term contract? Or is it better to get one with a long-term contract?
That is up to you to decide.
Is There a Possibility For Customization Of Reports and Software
The GPS technology nowadays has gone through numerous innovations. Those innovations have brought numerous advantages for the users.
It is the case with the rental fleet tracking too.
Thanks to the numerous innovations, GPS providers nowadays have the possibility for customization of reports and of software.
Almost 60% of GPS providers can enable you with these two rental fleet tracking benefits.
Generally speaking, the rental fleet tracking software do offer detailed reporting. This GPS detailed reporting can contribute significantly to improved business operations.
The rental fleet tracking which is offering customization of reports will enable you the following:
- Custom dashboards and graphs;
- Complex calculations on acquired data;
- Custom alarms via email and SMS;
- Automation of business processes with specified threshold rules;
- Custom API calls and automated integration with your own systems;
- Data entry and import with custom business logic;
It is well understood why customers are looking forward to finding rental fleet tracking that offers customization of reports and software. Yet, it is so because each customer has their own unique needs.
Here are the benefits that customers can get from customization of reporting features:
- Monitoring of the current and historical performance of the cars;
- Will provide you with detailed data that includes address, speed, direction, latitude;
- Help you minimize the idle times;
- You will receive each report emailed to you;
- Download reports in a variety of formats;
Rental Fleet Tracking Devices Should Have Warranty
Yet, one more essential point that you should check when buying rental fleet tracking is whether the GPS provider can enable you with a warranty on the device.
In general, GPS providers are giving warranties on their rental fleet tracking. For example, their warranties are leaving the users free of defects in workmanship and materials for a given period of time. Most commonly it is in a period of one year from the date of the first purchase.
It is essential for you to check whether the GPS provider can give you a warranty on the rental fleet tracking because it can save you from additional costs. Warranties come along with a proof of the date of its first consumer purchase.
In addition, the repairs or replacements have a 90-day warranty.
If it happens that the unit that is being sent is still under warranty, then the new warranty will be 90 days to the end of the original one year warranty.
Moreover, some GPS providers are offering partial or limited warranty. The limited warranty does not apply to the following repairs and damages:
- In the event of abuse or misuse of the product;
- As a result of unauthorized alternations or repairs;
- To any product damaged by accident;
- If the serial number has been removed, altered or defected;
- If the owner of the product resides outside of the States;
Check Is There Any Hidden Fees
Hidden fees are no secret anymore. There are more and more GPS providers that are prone to setting hidden fees.
