HOW TO SELECT A VENDOR THAT STANDS OUT FROM THE REST
There are many GPS tracking solutions out there, and it can be overwhelming to understand the differences between each. Why is one company better than another? What, if anything, makes one vendor stand out among the rest? Because at the end of the day, aren’t all tracking systems the same?
Though it’s easy to reach that conclusion, it is not correct. In fact, there are many things that differentiate the top transportation solutions from the rest of the competition. When partnering with a company for a GPS tracking solution, there are several things you want to make sure they have in order to ensure you’ve got the best solution – and partner – out there.
Experience
One of the best differentiators is experience. What is the company’s history? Their past is a good indication of how they’ll perform in the future. In Synovia’s case, we have been successfully implementing GPS telematics in school districts and businesses across the country for over 15 years. That kind of track record puts our customers at ease. They know Synovia is in it for the long haul, and understand that the company is always looking for ways to move fleet management forward.
Another key piece of information to consider is the size of the company’s install base. How many buses and vehicles currently have their GPS tracking systems installed? In Synovia’s case, we have GPS tracking in over 100,000 vehicles across North America, tracking fleets with more than 5,000 vehicles. For every customer we work with, our goal is to build tracking solutions that revolutionize the way our clients manage their fleets. This is why we have built a company of problem solvers. We are constantly developing leading-edge tools and analytics for our customers.
Powerful Software
One of the biggest advantages a company can have is their software. Is the software simple to implement? Is it easy to use, and does it provide the kind of reporting options that will make your job easier? The platform you select needs to address the real-world challenges that your school district experiences and do so in a way that isn’t cumbersome, providing you with insight that allows you to make better decisions for your transportation department. At Synovia, we provide our clients with a simple-to-use yet robust software-as-a-service platform. It allows our customers to quickly look at and analyze data on the spot.
Another aspect to consider is the company’s level of innovation. Are they continuously trying to make their software better and more powerful? Be sure to partner with a GPS vendor that has industry-leading technology and enhances and extends their product on an ongoing basis. Take it one step further, and make sure they ask for and use customer input for their product enhancements. As an end-user, you should have the opportunity to give valuable input to help consistently improve or add on to the solution.
Level of Risk
Any investment can be risky. But there are vendors out there that take on much of the risk so you don’t have to. At Synovia, there are several ways we try to reduce the risk for school districts. One is our service model. Our all-inclusive turnkey service plan provides you with everything you need to track your vehicle fleet. Hardware, software, installation, training and more are all included. And if you need support, there’s no need to worry. Everything is covered under the service plan. Our goal is to help you keep your buses on the road. This is why we also provide spare hardware to our customers and strive to fix any software issues within four hours or less.
Another piece of the risk puzzle is cost. What is the solution going to cost you, and how are you going to pay for it? Budgets are tight. We understand that our customers need to get as much as they can for as little cost as possible. In fact, Synovia led the industry in changing the standard pricing model to eliminate upfront costs for new customers, making GPS more affordable. Additionally, to help even more, we have many ways to help finance the solution
to your fleet management challenges. Our service cost is guaranteed not to increase in price over the lifetime of your agreement, and we set up payment plans to meet your needs. You can pay monthly, quarterly, yearly or pre-pay. And as a school district, if your funds are no longer appropriated, you can cancel your contract without penalty.
Versatility
Another key advantage to look for is the ability to provide a wide array of solutions. Schools have many different needs when it comes to transportation management. You want to partner with a vendor where all your needs can be addressed in one place. At Synovia, we do everything we can to ensure this is the case for our customers. This includes building strategic partnerships with industry leaders to expand our capabilities and transform the way you manage your fleet. The result is a complete solution set and a one stop shop for our customers.
Ultimately, your GPS tracking solution needs to provide value. When you look at all elements of the solution versus the cost, are you getting the value you need? Will the solution help you save time? Will it help you save money? Will it help you provide a safer way for students to get to and from school each day? And will the system help you provide better and more information to parents? Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters: safety, savings, and service.
Every transportation director in the country deserves a safer, more efficient way to manage their fleet. Be sure to partner with a fleet management solution vendor that is a step above the rest. One that is committed to doing what it takes to make your fleet succeed while also giving you the biggest return on your investment.
To learn more about how Synovia stands out from the competition, download our magazine, Ridealong with Synovia Solutions. We'll help you stay on top of the latest fleet management trends, and decide what's right for your team.
