One of the primary benefits to a company using Automatic Vehicle Locating (AVL) systems is the ability to pinpoint the location of its drivers, vehicles, and cargo, but an AVL system can provide much, much more. These systems can provide valuable vehicle usage data such as what time a vehicle starts, how long it travels between each stop, the maximum speed between points, a street address location of where the vehicle stopped, how long the vehicle was stopped at that location, and the route that was taken to go from stop to stop.

AVL systems can also monitor certain input/output functions such as how long a vehicle idles before the engine is turned off, when vehicle doors open or close, and when compressors or other equipment is used on a vehicle. More advanced systems can also keep track of oil pressure on remote vehicles or equipment as well as provide security features such as a warning when a vehicle or piece of equipment is moved from a certain location.

Each AVL user is different. Some users check vehicle usage reports against their timecards, and many report reductions in overtime and/or more productivity from their drivers. Other clients review the routes of their drivers and claim to be making an additional delivery per vehicle, per day, which increases their revenue. A shipping or courier service can track packages or cargo easily and therefore tell impatient customers more precisely when a pickup or delivery will be made.

GPS AVL depends on getting the location and the vehicle usage data from your vehicle to your computer. There are two basic ways to accomplish this: active (real-time) and passive (non real-time) systems. Both types of GPS AVL systems are very effective depending on your needs.