GPS Tracking for Outside Sales Teams

For the most part, companies with outside sales teams, such as pharmaceutical companies, have not adopted GPS tracking software to monitor their reps. There have been a number of reasons as to why they haven’t, two of which being privacy issues and the hardwired installation of the devices. These are two legitimate issues that we have the answer to.

GPS Insight has been selected by Garmin to integrate with the fleet 590 device, which is a portable device that combines GPS tracking capabilities for fleet management and the simplicity of Garmin navigation.

Problem #1: Invasion of Privacy

Since outside sales teams are typically given a company leased vehicle, reps use them for work and for personal use. The issue lies with tracking their employees during off hours and weekends. Sales reps understandably don’t want their employer having insight to what they do with their personal time.

The Garmin fleet 590 device can be taken out of the vehicle on evenings and weekends so that the invasion of privacy conversation goes right out the window.

Problem #2: Installing a GPS Tracking Device

The fact that the majority of GPS tracking software providers sell hardwire installed devices is a problem for companies with outside sales teams, like pharmaceutical companies, seeing as they usually lease vehicles. Fleet managers do not want the hassle that comes with messing with wiring on a vehicle they do not own. This would also make it cumbersome to move the devices from vehicle to vehicle as new reps leave and come on board or as vehicles get traded in.

Garmin fleet 590 GPS tracking device

The Garmin fleet 590 device plugs into the cigarette lighter for power and ignition on/off recognition. This device works perfectly for companies with leased vehicles, because all professional installation costs and downtime are eliminated.

How GPS Tracking Benefits Outside Sales Teams

With those 2 obstacles aside, GPS tracking software provides not only fleet managers with an array of benefits, but it also supplies sales managers of outside sales teams with powerful information, they wouldn’t otherwise have, to help optimize sales operations.

Improve Territory Planning – See where reps have and haven’t been in the last week/month/quarter/etc. and use the data to maximize penetration in each territory.
Improve Time Management – Use data on how much time reps spend at each account vs looking for new business to coach them on how to be more effective and efficient with their time.
Gain Activity Details – Reps can send in notes from each account on what transpired during the visit, i.e. sales, problems, status updates.

GPS tracking software is a powerful tool for sales management and fleet management. Coupling the fleet 590 device with advanced GPS tracking software gives companies with outside sales teams what they need to take advantage of the many benefits and increase their bottom line.