How to Keep Track of Your Assets with Dumpster Tracking Software

What is dumpster tracking software? 

Dumpster tracking software, otherwise known as asset tracking, container tracking, or equipment tracking software, uses IoT connected GPS tracking devices to help fleets keep better track of their roll-off containers, roll-off dumpsters, or dumpsters. 

Sometimes referred to as box trackers or asset gateways, these GPS tracking devices should be easy to install so that your fleet can begin to automate your asset tracking immediately. 

Whether your dumpsters or roll-off containers are stationed at your headquarters or at customer job sites such as landfills or construction sites, dumpster tracking software with real-time GPS tracking gives your business the insight into the locations of all of these important assets. This data allows your fleet to spend less time searching for assets and more time using them. 

Who can benefit from dumpster tracking software? 

Dumpster tracking software can be valuable for fleets with dumpsters, roll-off containers, roll-off dumpsters,  waste haulers, or any other unpowered asset. While businesses and organizations of all kinds can benefit from dumpster tracking software, fleets and rental companies in the waste management, field services, or inventory management fields will benefit the most. 

For example, Samsara customer ACV Enviro has an extensive inventory of more than 1,000 assets, ranging in cost from $3,000 to more than $500,000. Their most common asset is roll-off containers, specialized for hazardous waste work, but they also own generators, tankers, light towers, and boats. 

Previous to Samsara, ACV Enviro tracked their asset inventory and work orders on paper and in spreadsheets. This system not only made it challenging to properly track their assets' whereabouts but they had difficulty determining when customer drop-offs and pickups were made. With Samsara Asset Gateways (AG46), ACV Enviro is able to keep better track of their assets, gain insight into asset utilization, and improve billing—making their operations more efficient and profitable. 

4 ways dumpster tracking software can benefit your fleet 

1. Increase profitability with visibility into asset locations 

With dumpster tracking software, your fleet can spend less time searching and more time using your dumpsters and roll-off containers to generate more income and increase profitability. 

Additionally, with reports like the Samsara Time on Site Report, you can get insights into how long your assets spent at customer sites. By combining the Time on Site Report with Samsara geofences, you can determine exactly when a drop-off was made in order to streamline invoicing and increase your revenue.

2. Detect and recover lost or stolen dumpsters 

Dumpster tracking software solutions often provide theft prevention features such as geofence alerts to help notify you in case of theft. Features such as these can help cut down the time it takes to track down lost or stolen assets to help get your assets back online. 

With Samsara, you can configure geofence alerts to identify and mitigate theft and unauthorized use of equipment, saving your fleet thousands of dollars in roll-off container or dumpster replacement costs. 

3. Track asset utilization 

With Utilization Reports, your fleet can analyze dumpster and roll-off container utilization, identify underused assets, and make procurement decisions using reports backed by live data. These utilization metrics, combined with asset location data, can help your fleet minimize dumpster rental fees by getting the most out of the assets you already own. With better visibility into your assets’ locations, your organization can improve asset inventory management and cut costs. 

For example, Samsara customer ACV Enviro was able to avoid $30,000 in rental company fees per year after adopting Samsara Asset Gateways to track utilization for their roll-off containers. 

4. Improve dispatching 

A dispatcher’s job can be difficult without consistent visibility into your containers’ or dumpsters’ locations. But with a dumpster tracking software solution that’s a part of a broader fleet management platform, your fleet can take advantage of route optimization tools to streamline routing and dispatching.

What to consider when selecting a dumpster tracking software system 

Though dumpster tracking software can be helpful for keeping track of your fleet’s unpowered assets, the first step is finding a complete fleet management platform that meets your business needs. Look for a telematics platform, such as Samsara, that's intuitive, easy to use, and can give you a more complete view of how your fleet is performing. Keep an eye out for the following functionalities: 

• Quality of location data: Would your fleet benefit from real-time tracking or is a single location ping once or twice a day sufficient? Ask your fleet management software provider how often their GPS trackers update your vehicle’s location and whether they offer real-time asset location tracking. 

• Ease of use: Consider how straightforward the software is and if it would require a heavy lift to onboard and train employees. Ask the telematics provider if you can speak with an existing customer to better understand how it’s used in their workplace.

• Customer support: What type of customer service will you need? If you want a provider who can support you during the hours your drivers and business are operating and beyond, check to see if your provider has 24/7 technical support.

• Ease of installation: How seamless will the installation process be for your fleet? Will it require hiring additional people or new resources? Can you organize assets by serial number? Before selecting a dumpster tracking software provider, ask how long a technology deployment for your size fleet takes. 

• Mobile workflow: Are you frequently on the go or managing your fleet’s dumpsters and roll-off containers remotely? If you want access to information about your fleet on the go, consider a web-based fleet management solution that offers a mobile app, like the Samsara Fleet App. 

Dumpster tracking with Samsara 

Is your business looking for a dumpster tracking software solution that can provide real-time location data for waste management assets of all types while also supporting the growing needs of a mobile-first company? 

Samsara brings the experience of Android and Apple engineering to GPS fleet tracking with a telematics solution that provides fleet managers with more visibility into their operations. Samsara is a smart capital investment that provides organizations with the resources to move quickly and sift through data effectively. 

Plus, if you want to leverage the power of the Samsara dashboard from your phone, the Samsara Fleet mobile app includes key features at your fingertips so you can access important asset data and insights on the go. If any issues come up, our 24/7 technical support team is always ready to help.

Questions about pricing? To learn more about how Samsara can help you with GPS tracking and beyond, reach out today for a quote.