Keep this in mind when you make your technology purchase – what do you know about the company that is providing the solution?
The attached document describes why it is important to know the answer to this question for a technology purchase.
(or also see document details inline this message below)
Geotab
Established in 1998, Geotab is a true Canadian success story. Their products are in use in over 120 countries, with more than 2,000,000 units connected. Geotab was just ranked as the 2019 global leader of telematics by ABI research , ranking higher than any competitor on innovation and implementation of those innovations.
About Geotab:
https://www.geotab.com/about/
https://www.geotab.com/
When you shop for a GPS tracking technology solution, ask these questions below.
Knowing the answers to these questions, will empower you to purchase the correct technology for your business, which will:
- Allow you to reduce costs
- Improve customer service
- Increase profits
- Easily adapt the technology to your way of doing business. It should not make your life more difficult.
Cost
| Questions about the cost | Why ask? | Geotab system from GPS Tracking Canada |
| What is the cost of the monthly live tracking? | Value | Starting at $15 for unlimited, Canada wide |
| What is the additional monthly live tracking cost for US travel? | Value | $0./mth, unlimited US wide |
| How often can the tracking be used for the monthly price? | Avoid hidden costs | Unlimited. 24/7 |
| What is the cost of data overage charges? | Avoid hidden costs | $0 |
| What is the cost of activation? | Avoid hidden costs | $0 |
| Are there any contracts to sign? | Avoid locking into old technology and avoid paying a penalty for breaking a contract when you retire a vehicle | NO contracts. Only 1st and last monthly fee |
| What are the penalty costs to break the contract? | Some penalty costs can be as much as $40./mth for balance of contract. | NO contracts. No penalties. Only give 30 days notice. Good service is our bind to our clients. |
Geotab
| Questions about the technology company | Why ask? | Geotab system from GPS Tracking Canada |
| When was the technology company established? | Technology company stability. How long have they been around and will they be around in the future? | 1998 –focused only on GPS tracking |
| How many units do they have in the field? | Product acceptance and success | 2,000,000 units |
| How many staff to support and advance the technology? | Commitment to ‘future proof’ | 1300 in offices worldwide (200 engineers) |
| What expansion options do you have? | You are not locked into a technology. It's a fact, your needs will change. | Like a smartphone appstore, Geotab has 150+ marketplace partners |
| Who are some of the clients using the solution? | Reliability | UPS (32,000), Orkin Pest Control (9,000), US Federal Government (250,000), Pepsi, Purolator |
| Do you cater to large, medium or small clients | Market focus | All clients – small (1 truck) to large (250,000) |
| Do you have any case studies? | Flexibility to customize to meet client requirements | Yes, many |
| Do you have client testimonials? | Client satisfaction | Yes, many |
| Can current clients be contacted for a reference? | Yes, absolutely | |
| Where are their clients located? | Market penetration | Over 119 countries internationally |
| Where is the product manufactured? | Quality, reliability, availability | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
Software
| Questions about the software | Why ask? | Geotab system from GPS Tracking Canada |
| How far back does the system retain the trips and other history? | Some systems only retain data for 7, 30 or 90 days. | Indefinitely. Data can help settle law suits, employee & client disputes. Helps (forgotten) billing. |
| Who owns the data? | Security | Client |
| Is the system optimized for computer, tablet, and smartphone? | Ease of access | Yes. All methods of accessibility |
| How often does the system log tracking information? | Accuracy. (Some systems track every 1-10 minutes) | Logging as frequently as every 1 second. Accurate info has helped our clients settle law suits, when involved in an accident. Screen refresh every 15 seconds. |
| How often is there a major update of the software? | Retain investment value. Remain competitive. | 1-2 times a year |
| How often are there a minor updates of the software? | Up to a few times a month | |
| How are the software updates applied? | Ease of update | Software at login, firmware over the air (automatic) |
| How many users can be on the system at the same time? | Scalability | Unlimited |
| Is there a limit to the # of “geo-fences” or “geo-zones” (geographical boundaries)? | “Virtual zone” around client or supplier for auto enter/exit “punch clock” times | Unlimited # of zones and types of zones, ie client, supplier, Tim Hortons, employee home, gas station, etc. … |
| How many reports are offered and are they customizable? | Flexibility and depth | 30 standard reports – Unlimited customizable reports can be automatically emailed to unlimited people |
| Does the system create routes and route optimization? | Save driver and office time, save fuel and improve customer service | Yes |
| Will the system locate my nearest driver to a specific address? | Yes | |
| Do you track vehicle mileage and engine hours? | Setup maintenance reminders to reduce fuel repair costs | Yes |
| Can the vehicles and/or users be assigned to groups/categories? | Flexibility in use/security. Restriction on department and user levels | Yes |
| Can the system display live traffic information? | Reroute drivers. Verify driver claim of “heavy traffic” excuse. | Yes |
| Can the system display more than 1 type of mapping software? | Versatility. Some mapping software are better than others. | Yes. Different types of mapping software included with the system. |
| Is Google Street View available? | Get down to street level to see name on building (ie Tim Horton’s) | Yes. Our clients love it. |
| Can the system be connected to our existing legacy systems? | Sophistication of integration | Yes. Free Javascript based software developer kit |
Hardware
| Questions about the hardware | Why ask? | Geotab system from GPS Tracking Canada |
| How is the hardware connected? | Ease of setup/flexibility | Many methods of connection available to suit all requirements |
| Does the in-cab hardware help modify driver behaviour? | Driver behavior modification to save on fuel costs, with no office involvement | Client adjustable parameters to beep for speeding, idling, erratic driving |
| Can the office be alerted when the driver rules are broken? | Driver misbehaviour affects job and customer performance | Yes, various types of alerts: log, windows pop up, special sound, email & text message |
| Are there any indications or notifications for driver tampering? | System resilience to employee disruption | |
| Can the hardware be installed totally hidden? | Additional resilience to employee disruption | Yes |
| Can the hardware be updated? | Retain investment value | Yes, automatic ‘over the air’ firmware upgrades at no cost. |
| What is the oldest hardware that you are still supporting? | Commitment to technology updates & investment value | Many clients are still using hardware that was installed years ago |
| Does the hardware have a built-in engine management connection (diagnostics port – ODBII, etc) included? | Measures engine performance, faults, fuel use, etc.* | Yes. Hundreds of diagnostics codes. Engine faults alert user.* *May be a minor extra charge on some models. |
| Does the hardware have a built-in accelerometer included? | Measures vehicle swerve for accident liability defense | Yes. Second by second, detailed accelerometer data stored is recorded by the hardware. |
| Are there options for future hardware expansion? | Retain investment value, Future proof investment | Yes, via the hardware expansion port and other methods |
| What is the warranty on the hardware? | Protection | Standard 1 year warranty. Lifetime warranty available. |
| *When the vehicle’s ‘service engine’ light turns on, the GPS system will send the diagnostic code. Call your mechanic with the code. The mechanic will then tell you to bring it in urgently, or wait until next maintenance. You’ve just saved yourself from unnecessarily taking the vehicle of the road for half a day, if it can wait until the next maintenance. |
Training and Support
| Questions about training and support | Why ask? | Geotab system from GPS Tracking Canada |
| Is live telephone support available? What hours? | Live support not always available | Yes. Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, EST included. Optionally available 24/7 phone/web support |
| Are training videos provided? | Not always available. Videos are best way to learn. | Yes, over 100 online training videos for free |
| Are user guides provided? | Not always available. Written steps can be useful. | Yes |
Technology is a competitive, fast paced, ever changing industry, which weeds out the weak companies. The technology market can be confusing and daunting for the consumer. Unless you work in the industry, it can be difficult to distinguish one technology solution from another. When differentiation and a purchase decision is made based mostly on price, then it could be quite a risky decision. A more expensive solution will not necessarily be better and a less expensive solution may not be as good as a perceived similar solution.
What are your needs?
Which system gives you the best value for your needs?
