Fleet GPS Tracking Systems Help Automate IFTA Fuel Tax Calculations

Fleet GPS tracking data combined with tax software can ensure private fleet operators in the US that you aren’t overpaying on your International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) taxes. For most fleet managers, calculating IFTA taxes is a tedious but necessary administrative task. The good news is that this process can be automated if a fleet manager uses GPS tracking/telematics devices in its trucks, along with fuel cards and IFTA tax reporting software (or a tax service professional that uses this kind of software). Then the mileage driven in each state and fuel expenses for each vehicle can be automatically uploaded into the software and the proper IFTA paperwork can be printed out.

Using a GPS Tracking System combined with proper tax software can make this process much more manageable and less labor intensive. If you have a large fleet of over 50 vehicles, then there is a good chance you have an employee whose only job is to handle this paper-intensive task. If you are paying an administrator say $38,000 year to manage this process, investing in a Fleet GPS Tracking System is a no-brainer. While a fleet operator would probably never buy a telematics solution solely to eliminate an administrative position, it can contribute to the ROI offered by fleet telematics solutions.

Since truckers typically operate across state lines they often need to calculate their usage in various locations. GPS position reports are a good way to do this as not only would it report your GPS location but it would also report the exact time for each position report. Ideally, you could automate this process with reporting transmitted in real-time as you go.

Top 10 Reasons Fleet Managers should use a GPS Tracking System

GPS fleet management systems are designed with one primary goal: to save business managers time and money. There many benefits to using a fleet GPS management system. Here is a list of the top 10 reasons.

1. Increased Profits and Performance

Access to vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data helps a company manage the costs related to fleet operations. There can be a significant reduction in employee overtime costs and driver down-time; reduced maintenance costs directly affect the bottom line. Plus improved route efficiency and fleet metrics allow for expanding customer base. GPS truck tracking saves approximately $5,484 per employee annually.

2. Improved Fleet Operations

GPS tracking systems enable real-time decision making plus enhanced accountability of drivers and assets. Fleet managers will no longer have to rely on driver log sheets, service forms and truck maintenance records to keep track of fleet vehicle operations. Instant access to vehicle efficiency and driver productivity data can help a company better manage the costs related to fleet operations. GPS vehicle tracking allows companies to add more jobs to each work day. Companies typically see a 25% increase in work orders completed after implementing a GPS tracking device.

3. Reduced Fuel Costs and CO2 Emissions

Poor driving behavior such as speeding and unnecessary idling wastes fuel and can be identified with a GPS fleet tracking system. Fleet vehicles can use up to 800 gallons of fuel per year due to unnecessary idling alone, which costs approximately $2400 per vehicle per year. Every unnecessary mile you eliminate will reduce your carbon footprint and can make your entire fleet more productive and environmentally responsible.

Location Based Services Set to Explode over the Next 5 Years

gps-google-iphoneAccording to a recent research report published by IE Market Research (IEMR), the global market for GPS navigation and location based services will increase to $13.4 billion in 2014, a compound annual growth rate of 51.3%. In the USA and Canada, the GPS navigation and location based search market will increase to over $4.3 billion. The USA and Canada will represent nearly one-third (32.4%) of the world market share for GPS navigation and location based services spending over the next 5 years. The USA will still be one of the largest single markets for location based services in the world with a compound annual growth rate of 37.5% forecasted over the next five years. The full IEMR report (single-copy) costs $2,995.

The adoption of GPS in mobile handsets is largely being driven by smart phones. Given the proliferation of smartphones these figures are not all that surprising, despite moderate industry growth in the past. GPS-enabled smartphones such as the Apple iPhone and Google Android are playing a huge part in the GPS technology revolution that IEMR is forecasting. Google now includes free GPS navigation for its smartphones and Apple’s iPhone app store is filled with dozens of free and low-cost navigation applications. in 2009, more than 40 percent of all smartphone owners used their mobile devices to get turn-by-turn directions, according to data from Compete, an industry leading web analytics firm. For iPhone users, the figure is even higher at over 80 percent. After all, smart phones are, well, smart. It’s convenient to not only use your phone to take make calls, but also to send SMS text messages, take pictures, send emails on the go, search the web, listen to music, and yes, even to get turn-by-turn directions.

UPS Truck Tracking to be used for 22,000 Vehicles

Fleet GPS tracking and telematics devices have been installed in over 11,000 UPS delivery vehicles. The company recently announced plans to install GPS navigation and telematics equipment in another 10,000 trucks. UPS, one of the most recognized brands in the world, is a $49.7 billion global corporation known for its efficiency and speed.

Exhibit by Lockheed Martin Shows Importance of GPS Technology

Lockheed Martin, a global security and information technology company, opened a Global Positioning System (GPS) exhibit this week in Vienna, Austria.  The GPS exhibit is part of the permanent Space Exhibit at Vienna’s United Nations Office.  The purpose of the exhibit is to emphasize the importance of satellite navigation technology. GPS technology serves millions of […]

The Complete Guide to Telematics in Europe & USA

SBD is an independent technical research and consulting firm that has been analyzing the telematics service market worldwide for over a decade. The company recently released their 2010 annual report titled “The Complete Guide to Telematics in Europe and the USA” providing an in-depth account of vehicle manufacturers’ telematics solutions. The report costs $3200.

Highlights of Telematics Industry Conference

Telematics Detroit 2010 is a conference mainly for automakers and their suppliers. Many of the conference speakers emphasized that the Telematics Industry as a whole has changes dramatically in recent years. The Telematics Industry for consumer vehicles is expected to change even more as smartphones apps invade the telematics space, providing drivers with the type […]

FieldLogix+NAV Brings Garmin Navigation to Fleet Tracking

Field Technologies, the Creator of the FieldLogix GPS Tracking System, Today Introduced FieldLogix+NAV, a GPS Tracking and Navigation Platform That Brings Together the Benefits of Both GPS Fleet Tracking and Garmin Turn-by-Turn In-Vehicle Navigation

GPS Tracking – Putting The Money Back In Your Pocket

October 11, 2005 – San Diego, CA – When any company decides to invest money in a new technology one of the first questions they ask is, “are we going to see a return?” In more simple terms, “is this worth the money?” Without answering those questions it is easy to jump into an investment […]

GPS – A Thief’s Worst Nightmare

October 3, 2005 – San Diego, CA By Tim Parlier In August of 2005 law enforcement agencies in Ventura County stopped a 9-state equipment theft crime ring. The operation required “9,000 hours of investigation” and “netted 2 arrests, nearly 26,000 pieces of equipment valued at $3.5 million, and helped 215 victims from 64 cities in […]

Field Technologies Deploys 189% More GPS Tracking Units in 2004

San Diego, CA – January 15, 2005 – Field Technologies, a leading provider of GPS vehicle and asset tracking solutions, has announced that it has increased the number of GPS tracking units deployed throughout the US by 189% from 2003 to 2004.

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