Rental Fleet Management

What Is Rental Fleet Management?

Rental fleet management is the process of overseeing and maintaining vehicles intended for rental purposes. The types of rental vehicles range from a fleet of trucks, trailers, standard rental cars, and even high-end exotic cars. Rental fleet management with the help of IoT has become a streamlined process integral for efficient fleet management.

The introduction of IoT has transformed car rental tracking, by providing remote analytics of the entire fleet at a glance. Companies in real-time can now reduce, risks and improve operational efficiency.  IoT allows for effective car rental GPS solutions that can be tailored across any rental fleet application.

Challenges Faced in Rental Fleet Management

Rental fleet management is essential for any successful operation in any rental business, however, they all have common challenges:

Stolen Vehicles

Rental vehicles are stolen by unidentified individuals which then falls back on the rental companies to recover the stolen vehicle. In many cases, without a proper car rental tracking system, stolen rental vehicles tend to not be recovered.

Driver Behavior

When a customer rents a vehicle, several photos are taken to document its condition, focusing primarily on potential cosmetic damages caused by the renter. However, once the vehicle leaves the facility, it’s impossible to monitor how it’s being driven or whether it’s being operated in an unsafe manner. The potential cost of internal damages far outweighs the cost of cosmetic damages to the car. Without a rental car tracking device, these internal damages are unaccounted for and the business endures the cost.

Operational Inefficiencies

Keeping track of vehicle availability, usage, and maintenance schedules is time-intensive without the proper software. This manual approach allows for human error and a waste of time that could be allocated towards other parts of the business. A car rental GPS system would ensure that the manual process is eliminated. At a glance, an employee would be able to know exactly which vehicles are available and which vehicles are needing maintenance.

Key Benefits of GPS Tracking for Different Fleets

Rental fleet management spans across all different kinds of fleets, but what all fleets have in common is the need for GPS tracking.

Recovery Mode

Our GPS tracking devices can be covertly hidden inside vehicles and include a one-touch Recovery Mode feature. Once activated, Recovery Mode switches to real-time tracking with location reports every 30 seconds so cars and assets can be retrieved and recovered in the case of loss, theft, or unauthorized use

Customer Accountability

Monitor driver habits to ensure compliance with rental agreements. Monitor speeding, harsh acceleration, braking, cornering, and more to improve safety and prevent unnecessary wear on vehicles.

Vehicle Immobilization

If a vehicle is marked as stolen then the GPS tracking device can immobilize the vehicle remotely. This ensures that the vehicle can be safely recovered, and prevent it from any damages from reckless driving.

Fleet Allocation

Use insights from rental car tracking to manage vehicle supply and demand effectively. Improve your supply by working out which vehicles are underutilized and replacing them with vehicles that are more desired.

Car Rental Tracking Systems: Hardware & Software

A car rental tracking system integrates hardware and software to provide a comprehensive solution for managing fleets.

Hardware

• Wired Devices:
  • Ideal for rental assets requiring continuous power and tracking
  • Allows for remote immobilization and monitoring of driver behavior
• Battery-Powered Devices:
  • Able to be hidden easily, ideal for assets that are likely to be stolen
  • Quick and flexible installation, perfect for high-turnover fleets

Software

Cloud-based software is the information hub of car rental tracking systems, offering:

• Fleet Overview: Manage vehicle locations, statuses, and usage remotely.
• Custom Alerts: Set geofences or triggers for unauthorized use or harsh driving.
• Recovery Mode: If the asset is compromised Recovery Mode switches to real-time tracking with location reports every 30 seconds.

Together, the hardware and software provide rental companies with the insights needed to operate efficiently and safely.

Wired vs. Battery Powered Tracking Devices

Choosing between wired and non-wired devices depends on fleet type and operational requirements.

Wired Tracking Devices

Wired tracking devices are ideal for rental assets such as trucks and trailers that require uninterrupted power. They are also viable for long-term rentals where extensive installation is feasible. The use of a wired tracking device ensures real-time tracking and gives insights into driver behavior. Exotic car rental businesses are recommended to use wired GPS tracking devices. This is so the option of remote immobilization is available, as these cars have a high risk of being stolen.

Battery-Powered Devices

Battery-powered trackers are ideal for short-term rentals or vehicles that require less frequent tracking. Battery-powered trackers offer portable, temporary tracking solutions for a rental car fleet. These portable trackers do not require any professional help and can be installed easily.

Both options are viable for rental fleets, depending on your setup will determine what type of car rental GPS tracker is used.

Why Rental Fleet Tracking Matters

Whether managing trucks, trailers, rental cars, or exotic vehicles, effective fleet management solutions powered by IoT are essential. Car rental tracking systems ensure that stolen assets can be quickly tracked down and recovered. Car rental GPS devices also allow for insights into fleet usage, maintenance schedules, and driver behavior. Utilization of these rental assets leads to increased efficiency.

Don’t let inefficiencies or security risks hold your fleet back. Contact us to explore how our rental fleet management solutions can optimize your operations today!