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?

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.

Moreover, hidden fees can bring only benefit and profit to the provider and not to the user.

So, since you are a future rental fleet tracking user- I will suggest you to check if there are any hidden fees before buying.

Are you looking to purchase car GPS tracker with no monthly fee?

Then make sure to find the one.

In addition, finding the right rental fleet tracking with no monthly fee can be definitely boring and time-consuming.

Yes, hidden fees in the world of GPS are often interconnected with monthly fees. So, if you do not have monthly fees you will be free from the monthly hassle to pay the bill.

Find Out How Difficult Is To Quit Using This Solution

You have 30 cars and then your rent a car business changes instantly so that you will have to sell 6 cars. Or you have to suspend the rent a car service for the winter when your business is slowed down. What will happen with the rental fleet tracking in this type of situation?

So, finding out how difficult is to quit using the rental fleet tracking solution should be on your mind before making the final buying decision.

Make the ability to control your tracking expenses from month to month essential. It is how rent a car have started losing money.

Make an informed decision!

Before Buying Discover What is the Basic Set of Features Included

Yet, one of the most important point that you will have to check before buying rental fleet tracking is discovering what is the basic set of features that are included in the GPS system.

So, here are the most essential features that rental fleet tracking should have:

Designed for the Desired Use

Nowadays there are several GPS systems of rental fleet tracking that future users can choose from. Also, the rental fleet tracking devices should be selected properly to fit the specific vehicle.

Locates Satellites Rapidly

The rental fleet tracking devices that are able to locate satellites rapidly are the best choice.

So, do not forget to look forward to this basic feature when buying rental fleet tracking. Because there is nothing worse than having to wait for the GPS to find satellite in order to continue your trip.

Yet, have in mind too that the main function that is affecting on the responsiveness are the number of channels.

Hence, it is essential for the rental fleet tracking device to catch 12 channels.

It is essential for the rental fleet tracking device to catch 12 channels because your fleet of rent a car vehicle might end up sometimes surrounded by tall buildings or trees that can contribute to the GPS loosing connection. So in this type of situation, if the GPS is able to locate satellites rapidly the users of your rent a car won’t be in trouble.

Adequate Screen Size and Resolution

Screen size and resolution are important too.

Rental Fleet Tracking devices are made to be used in a particular focal plane.

In addition, the adequate screen size and resolution can help the user to see clearly the display at a given distance and height.

Has Voice Recognition Software

The voice recognition software is very common in rental fleet tracking devices.

Yet, there are even some units allowing for voice commands customization. And believe it or not it is becoming very popular. It is so because it is always easier to remember the phrase from your own vocabulary, than remembering the one that was programmed into the machine.

Compatible with Preferred Mobile Phone

Rental Fleet tracking should be compatible with user’s mobile phone.

Wireless communication through a GPS device is one very valuable feature.

Actually this feature adds up on safety.

Accesses Live Traffic Info

Life traffic info is essential when on the road. So, if you want to attract a lot of customers- then you should look forward to buying a rental fleet tracking device that can enable them access to life traffic info.

The purpose of this feature is to direct the driver to the route that is less likely to be congested. By that, the user of the rental fleet traffic will get to his/her final destination point on time.

In addition, there are some GPS providers that are offering live traffic alerts on some systems via an FM radio connection. All that at no charge.

Yet, some live traffic info services are paid on an annual basis.

Upgradable to New Maps

Easily upgradeable rental fleet tracking devices to new maps are the best.

There are different GPS providers that are offering upgrades at various frequencies. Some of them are charging for the upgrades, whereas some are not.

Generally speaking the rental fleet tracking devices can be upgraded through a card slot or through a website.

On the other hand we have those GPS providers that are enabling with lifetime free upgrades.

Offers Special Features of Value

The rental fleet tracking of nowadays is offering special features of value. There are a number of useful features that can be built into the rental fleet tracking. These features can be of value to specific users.

Ask for additional features and price list of all of them

As previously mentioned, each user has unique needs and expectations.

So, what GPS providers and manufacturers have done- is provide future users with the option of setting additional features on their rental fleet tracking devices.

Actually, the demand for additional features has significantly increased over the last year.

Thereupon, if you are one of those users who is in need of additional features- then I would recommend you to always ask for it. Yet, what you should also ask altogether with the additional features, is the price list of all of them.

Make Sure Installation Can Be Done By You To Reduce The Cost

The installation process of the rental fleet tracking is one of the last things that you have to check, and at the same time it is on the other hand amongst the first steps that you as a future user will have to take.

So in order to save yourself time and money, make sure that the rental fleet tracking device that you are going to buy can be installed by you.

Here are few short steps on how you can install a rental fleet tracker:

1. Always follow the rental fleet tracking manufacturer’s instructions;
2. Inventory all parts on receipt;
3. Check for damage or any missing components;
4. Protect the unit from damage and by that prevent damage that is not covered with the warranty;
5. Always use a multi-meter to find your connection wires;
6. Make sure that the wires are not pinched or repeatedly closed indoors;

Data Plan Used by GPS to Communicate Should Cover Multiple Countries

Last but not least, the rental fleet tracking solution should have a data plan that will enable the user to use the GPS to communicate even when it is out of the country.

It is essential for the rental fleet tracking solution to have maps that are easily updatable for multiple countries.

So, you will have to check the data plan used by the GPS too!

Conclusion

The benefits that the right rental fleet tracking solution can bring to rental companies are numerous. Now that you know which are the most important things to inspect before buying rental fleet tracking – you are ready for the final step, which is signing the buying contract and enjoying all the perks that come with this solution.