GPS-based management solutions are helping fleet-based companies improve operations by optimizing vehicle performance, mileage, reliability and safety; and upgrading maintenance planning and route navigation.

A recently released report by MarketsandMarkets on the fleet management market concluded that this particular sector is expected to grow from $10.91 billion in 2013 to $30.45 billion by 2018, at an annual rate of 22.8 percent.

The study analyzed the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

The study's authors defined fleet management as the "smartening" of fleet-vehicle operations. They stated "the growing competitiveness among the transportation service providers, CO2 emission control norms, and rising fuel prices are making the fleet management system an essential component for the business operation of the fleet vehicle operators."

According to the study, reasons for this growth include the global increase of vehicles on the road and governments mandating the inclusion of GPS devices in new vehicles. The public transport, service, logistics and retail sectors are forecasted to be major purchasers of the technology.

In a separate but related matter, Fleetmatics, a provider of productivity solutions for commercial fleets, recently announced its simultaneous launches into the Australian and Dutch markets.

"The expanded operations provide local fleet-based businesses a new choice in fleet management technology," says Kevin Memolo of Finn Partners, who works with the manufacturer. "The timing of the launch is crucial for Australia in particular where petrol prices throughout the region continue to climb."

He stated that Australian economists have noted that the start-of-year price increase in 2014 is the biggest the nation has seen since 2004.