More than one in four UK fleets is using tracking within their vehicle operations according to new research from fleet solutions provider DigiCore. The results from the Vehicle Tracking Survey 2008 - conducted amongst 150 fleet decision makers and influencers - also claim three quarters of companies using a tracking system are achieving value from the technology.
In particular, the research found that uptake was greatest amongst commercial vehicle fleets (30 per cent) and fleet operators with more than 100 vehicles (31 per cent). Furthermore,
penetration was particularly high in the utilities (86 per cent), logistics and road transport (40 per cent), and service management (38 per cent) sectors.
Fleet operators achieving payback from their investment in vehicle tracking are achieving a range of benefits including increased productivity (54 per cent), reduced costs (44 per cent),
and fleet performance (46 per cent). In terms of reduced costs, fleet operators are now achieving on average a 12 per cent saving on their fuel bill and lowering overtime claims by 13 per
cent.
In fact, 85 per cent of vehicle tracking users said they were satisfied with their current solutions provider. In many cases, a strong relationship was critical to receiving an effective
vehicle tracking solution, and service levels, supplier responsiveness, and back-office support were actually highlighted more often than competitive pricing and product functionality.
However, some negativity towards the vehicle tracking sector does exists with 35 per cent of respondents not using a tracking system suggesting that the reputation of the industry was
being affected by the financial viability of operators, overselling and technology concerns.
Of those companies not using vehicle tracking, more than half of have considered investing in the technology, but over a third are still unaware of the benefits it can provide. In
addition, only 48 per cent of these fleet operators thought tracking could benefit their business, and only 44 per cent believed it could offer a return on investment.
Commenting on the findings, Tom O'Connor, Managing Director of DigiCore UK Ltd said: "The results of the Vehicle Tracking Survey 2008, suggest that an increasing number of fleet operators
are utilising tracking technology to better manage and control their vehicle operations. However, there is still much work to be done by solutions providers to enhance the image industry
and develop systems that best meet the needs of the fleet sector.
DigiCore Group CEO Nick Vlok remarked "This survey reconfirms trends reported by our other 31 operations around the global who are all experiencing rapid growth in the implementation of
our range of awarding winning C-track GPS Fleet management solutions ( www.ctrack.com ) enjoying the accompanying benefits".
A full copy of the results can be downloaded at www.digicore.com
ABOUT VEHICLE TRACKING SURVEY 2008
The 2008 Vehicle Tracking Survey was conducted amongst 150 fleet influencers and decision makers within the UK. The respondents were made up of professionals that are either responsible
or influence car, van, commercial vehicle or mixed fleet operations for their companies. The Survey was designed to measure the uptake of vehicle tracking amongst fleet operators, how the
technology is being used, and what barriers are preventing more companies adopting a solution.
ABOUT DIGICORE
DigiCore Holdings is a Johannesburg Stock Exchange Listed group, a global company with more than 22 years' experience developing and implementing end-to-end vehicle tracking and fleet
management solutions. Its advanced C-track technology is fitted to almost 300,000 vehicles operating in 32 countries across 5 continents.
DigiCore Group works in partnership with its customers to develop solutions that deliver measurable business and operational benefits by providing total visibility and control of mobile
assets and mobile work forces. DigiCore utilises a range of vehicle location, fleet management, satellite navigation and security tools, to provide commercial vehicle, van and car fleet
operators with scaleable solutions that offer flexibility, reliability and functionality.