What is the difference between a basic GPS and a fleet control system?

A basic GPS reports only the vehicle's position. A fleet control system integrates position with telematics (speed, RPM, consumption, door status), access control (who opens and closes the vehicle), configurable alerts, and a complete searchable history accessible from any device. The difference is like comparing a speedometer with a full aircraft cockpit.

Can I monitor my fleet from a mobile phone?

Yes. Professional platforms provide full access via mobile browser and native iOS and Android apps. You can see the real-time position of all your vehicles, review route history, receive push alerts, and in more advanced systems, unlock or immobilize vehicles directly from your smartphone.

Does fleet control affect driver privacy?

GDPR permits monitoring of company vehicles provided drivers are transparently informed. The key is having a signed usage policy that details what data is collected, for what purpose, and for how long. Monitoring during working hours is straightforwardly permitted. Monitoring outside working hours for vehicles used for both business and personal use requires greater care and specific justification.

How long is location data retained?

Under GDPR, location data should be retained only as long as necessary for its stated purpose. Standard practice in the fleet industry is 60-90 days for real-time position data and up to 1 year for aggregated route and trip data. Data relating to incidents, accidents, or disputes may be retained longer on the basis of a legal obligation.

Fleet Control: What It Is and How to Implement It

Practical guide to fleet control: how it differs from fleet management, what data to monitor, how to configure alerts, and what it costs.

Fleet control vs fleet management: what is the difference

Although often used interchangeably, fleet control and fleet management are complementary but distinct concepts. Fleet control is the operational and reactive dimension: monitoring what is happening with vehicles in real time, detecting anomalies, and acting when something deviates from the norm. Fleet management is the broader concept that includes planning, cost optimization, contracts, preventive maintenance, and strategy.

The 4 data types that matter most in fleet control

Most GPS systems generate hundreds of metrics, but 80% of the practical value comes from four data types. The first is real-time position with route history: knowing where each vehicle is right now and where it has been in recent hours. This is the foundation of any control system and has direct impact on claims management, unauthorized use detection, and operational coordination.

How to configure an effective alert system

A common mistake when implementing fleet control is activating too many alerts from day one. The result is a flood of notifications that the team stops reading within a week. The key is to start with the five highest-impact alerts for your fleet type and add more only once the first set is integrated into the workflow.

Vehicle access control: the most important layer

Access control is the most critical and least implemented dimension of fleet control in Spanish SMEs. Knowing that vehicle X is parked on street Y is useful. Knowing who opened it, at exactly what time, and whether they were authorized to do so at that moment, is transformative. Each door opening creates an immutable record with timestamp, driver identity, and GPS location.

Fleet control tools and costs

A professional fleet control system requires three components: GPS hardware installed in each vehicle (4G tracker with telematics), a software platform with a real-time dashboard and alert configurator, and connectivity (a SIM card with data included). In the Spanish market, all-inclusive providers offer these three components integrated into a monthly per-vehicle subscription.

Fletaro — Software de gestión de flotas con GPS y acceso remoto