[Slacky]

What are most people paying for vehicle tracking and what do you get for your ££

[Soupy]

https://www.ramtracking.com/

Can't remember how much it is, I negotiated a deal with them, paid for the hardware up front then a small access fee monthly.

Benefits:

1. I have mapped the exact location every customer onto the system (not a postcode approximation, the actual location that we park at to clean the windows), if someone leaves I have their entire round on a map, the knowledge doesn't leave with the driver, like it used to.

2.  Idle reports. Self explanatory. No wasting of fuel.

3.  Speed reports. Useful if you want an argument with your staff. Unfortunately RAM use NavTeq maps which are almost as bad as Apple maps. Why they don't just use Google Maps I don't know, it would be much more accurate for the speed limits. The data can still be useful though for determining who are the 'less careful' drivers.

4.  You will know where your van is if it gets nicked.

5. Any disputes with customers tend to go like,

C: "I don't think my windows were done in August, I never saw the bill coming in"
S: "I will just check my vehicle tracker"
S: "Yeah, Craig arrived at your house 13:12 on 08/08/17 and left at 14:01, I can send you a screenshot if you like"
C: "No that's OK I'll transfer the money now"
S: "Great thanks"

6. I got a parking ticket earlier this year, I was able to prove that the vehicle was not parked there all day and had in fact been there in the morning for 10 mins then returned there later that day.

There are more features on the system that I use sparingly , but those are the main ones that benefit me.

[Splash & dash]

https://www.ramtracking.com/

Can't remember how much it is, I negotiated a deal with them, paid for the hardware up front then a small access fee monthly.

Benefits:

1. I have mapped the exact location every customer onto the system (not a postcode approximation, the actual location that we park at to clean the windows), if someone leaves I have their entire round on a map, the knowledge doesn't leave with the driver, like it used to.

2.  Idle reports. Self explanatory. No wasting of fuel.

3.  Speed reports. Useful if you want an argument with your staff. Unfortunately RAM use NavTeq maps which are almost as bad as Apple maps. Why they don't just use Google Maps I don't know, it would be much more accurate for the speed limits. The data can still be useful though for determining who are the 'less careful' drivers.

4.  You will know where your van is if it gets nicked.

5. Any disputes with customers tend to go like,

C: "I don't think my windows were done in August, I never saw the bill coming in"
S: "I will just check my vehicle tracker"
S: "Yeah, Craig arrived at your house 13:12 on 08/08/17 and left at 14:01, I can send you a screenshot if you like"
C: "No that's OK I'll transfer the money now"
S: "Great thanks"

6. I got a parking ticket earlier this year, I was able to prove that the vehicle was not parked there all day and had in fact been there in the morning for 10 mins then returned there later that day.

There are more features on the system that I use sparingly , but those are the main ones that benefit me.

That’s very Intresting sounds a useful system is it fitted by the company you bought it off or self fitted , can you use this like a satnav system for staff to use who don’t know where each property is ? What’s the approx cost of intlalation per vehicle ? And is it a yearly subscription? Sorry for all the questions but this sounds like a good idear with the added security as a bonus

[Soupy]

Can't remember how much, I'll check tomorrow.

We fitted it ourselves, no cheaper but it was quicker.

No it can't be used as a sat nav but I can guide them to the job over the phone from the live map. I imagine sat nav is the next step for the tech. Other, more expensive systems do it already.

[richyp]

Does this ram tracking do routing also .?

[Soupy]

Does this ram tracking do routing also .?

No.

[Soupy]

Can't remember how much, I'll check tomorrow.

So, we were around £350 up front and then £15ish per month.