# Fleet Management Software Key Features | Capterra > Trying to figure out key fleet management software features before purchasing? Check out the four features users rate as the most important. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/key-fleet-management-software-features --- Logistics & Supply ChainTransportation # 4 Key Fleet Management Software Features and Top Products That Offer Them By Barkha Bali Barkha Bali Senior Writer Experience I’ve been writing for Capterra since August 2021, providing expert insights to help small and midsize businesses (SMBs) find the rig... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/) Published July 14, 2023 5 min read Table of Contents - [1\. GPS](#1-gps) - [2\. Mileage tracking](#2-mileage-tracking) - [3\. Inspection management](#3-inspection-management) - [4\. Route history](#4-route-history) To better coordinate vehicle tracking, route optimization, maintenance management, and other fleet management operations, businesses are increasingly turning to [fleet management software](https://www.capterra.com/fleet-management-software/). However, not every software is the same. To maximize the benefits, it's crucial for a fleet manager to identify and understand the key features and choose software that aligns with specific business processes and objectives. This article highlights four key fleet management software features based on the ratings given by verified software users. We also include the highest-rated fleet management software solutions for each feature. [Read more](#methodology). ## 1\. GPS The global positioning system (GPS) feature in a fleet management system helps track and monitor the real-time location of teams, equipment, and vehicles on a map. The GPS feature provides valuable insights into vehicle positioning, routes taken, speed, and specific details, including idle time and fuel consumption. This data is visualized to enhance decision-making and facilitate proactive measures to improve fleet performance. ### What business problem does GPS solve? GPS tracking data helps determine the most efficient vehicle routes, considering traffic conditions, road closures, and customer locations. This optimization minimizes fuel consumption, reduces vehicle wear and tear, and increases operational efficiency. This feature assists in monitoring vehicle health with engine diagnostics and maintenance alerts. Fleet managers can schedule maintenance and repairs based on vehicle usage, preventing breakdowns and optimizing the fleet lifespan. ### Ideal users of the GPS feature If you are a transportation and logistics manager or a fleet supervisor, you oversee a fleet of vehicles and are responsible for optimizing operations. Using the GPS feature, you can optimize delivery routes, enhance dispatching and scheduling processes, and ensure timely and accurate deliveries. It empowers you to improve operations and maximize resource utilization. ### Top 3 products with the highest ratings for GPS #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### GPS feature rating 5/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### GPS feature rating 4.69/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 Error Could not fetch Product Information \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 ## 2\. Mileage tracking The mileage tracking feature in a fleet management system enables businesses to monitor and record the distance traveled by their vehicles. This feature typically leverages GPS technology to track and log the mileage of each fleet vehicle. It also records start and end locations, distance covered, fuel usage, and time stamps, providing an overview of the fleet's travel activities. With this feature, businesses can simplify operations, enhance cost control, and improve fleet efficiency. ### What business problem does mileage tracking solve? Mileage tracking helps businesses control fuel consumption and associated costs by identifying inefficiencies in the routes and re-optimizing them, reducing unnecessary mileage. This feature also aids in ensuring compliance with tax regulations and reimbursing employees for business-related mileage. It provides detailed records and supports accurate reporting, minimizing the risk of compliance issues and discrepancies in mileage reimbursements. ### Ideal users of the mileage tracking feature Businesses with mobile sales teams or employees who frequently travel for client visits/off-site work can benefit from mileage tracking for reimbursements and travel-related expense tracking. Additionally, transportation and logistics managers or delivery service providers can use this feature to monitor and optimize vehicle and fuel usage. ### Top 3 products with the highest ratings for mileage tracking #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Mileage tracking feature rating 4.95/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Mileage tracking feature rating 4.85/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Mileage tracking feature rating 4.81/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 ## 3\. Inspection management The inspection management feature in a fleet management tool simplifies and automates periodic inspections of vehicles and equipment within a fleet. It provides a centralized platform to create, schedule, and track fleet maintenance operations, as well as document and manage inspection results. The feature typically includes customizable inspection checklists, digital forms, and mobile apps for field data collection, allowing fleet managers to monitor and maintain the condition of their assets. ### What business problem does inspection management solve? By facilitating regular vehicle inspections and documentation, the inspection management feature ensures compliance with industry regulations and mitigates the risk of breakdowns and non-compliance penalties. It improves vehicle maintenance planning by identifying potential issues early on through inspections, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime. ### Ideal users of the inspection management feature Fleet maintenance supervisors, safety officers, and other personnel responsible for overseeing fleet operations use the inspection management feature to ensure compliance, driver safety, and operational efficiency. Additionally, businesses that prioritize proactive vehicle maintenance and asset management, and those seeking to improve administrative processes, such as compliance documentation, and reduce paperwork, can benefit from this feature. ### Top 3 products with the highest ratings for inspection management #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Inspection management feature rating 4.68/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Inspection management feature rating 4.58/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Inspection management feature rating 3.14/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 ## 4\. Route history The route history feature in vehicle fleet management software captures and records historical data about the routes taken by vehicles in a fleet. It tracks and stores information such as the start and end points, distance traveled, duration, and any deviations or stops. This data is then made accessible to fleet managers, allowing them to review and analyze past vehicle routes and identify the best one for the drivers with fewer obstacles. ### What business problem does route history solve? Route history helps identify potential issues or areas for improvement in fleet operations by uncovering recurring inefficiencies or bottlenecks in specific routes, allowing for targeted route optimization and process enhancement. By accessing past route data, fleet operators can provide precise information to customers regarding estimated arrival times or any encountered delays, enhancing transparency and customer satisfaction. ### Ideal users of route history feature Logistics coordinators, dispatchers, and operations managers use the route history feature to optimize route planning and make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall performance of their fleet. The feature is particularly valuable for fleets with complex or extensive routing needs, where analyzing and improving route efficiency can lead to cost savings, improved customer service, and better resource allocation. ### Top 3 products with the highest ratings for route history #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Route history feature rating 4.81/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Route history feature rating 4.51/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Route history feature rating 3.95/5 #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of June 2023 * * * #### Methodology **Key features**: To identify the key features of this article, we asked users to rate, on a scale of "low importance" to "critical," how important different features are for fleet management software. The features showcased are those that the highest percentage of reviewers rated as "highly important" or "critical." **Feature eligibility**: To be included in the set of features considered, a given feature had to have at least 200 user ratings, of which at least 20% must indicate the feature is "critical." Eligible features were determined from two sources:  1. Our research team's review of public information about fleet management software usage, definitions, and associated features  2. Reviewers’ indication of the features they use for fleet management. **Product selection**: To identify the top-rated products per feature, we evaluated user ratings for products that offer each feature. For a given product, reviewers rate each feature on a scale of one to five stars. A given product had to have at least 20 user ratings (between June 2021-23) for the feature in question to be considered. * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Barkha Bali](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/) Barkha Bali is a writer at Capterra. 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