Fleet management is a critical means to which businesses can control cost, improve productivity, mitigate risks and maintain compliance with their vehicle fleets. For any company that owns vehicle leases to continue their regular operations, vans, trucks, planes or otherwise, this is an incredibly necessary tool to maintain operations.
Most companies have some form of software or onboard technology to help themselves maintain fleet management. Right now, there are millions of active fleet management systems used in North America. This includes everything from data logging, satellite positioning, and data communication software that help companies practice fleet management.
Fleet management systems can help businesses in multiple critical ways to improve businesses’ productivity while mitigating unnecessary costs.
Fleet management can help in a few ways such as,
1. Driver Safety
Without drivers on a fleet, there is no fleet, and their safety should be of top priority for anyone managing a fleet. Through a fleet management system, many businesses find it easier to keep up with maintenance, which will help reduce the risk of a breakdown on the route. Additionally, some software offers onboard technology that can help alert drivers to change traffic patterns and incoming storms or weather changes that can help protect drivers on the road.
2. Lowering Costs
Maintaining any fleet is expenses, but overhead fees and fuel costs are often a primary expense for many businesses. Worse, fuel costs change depending on the market forces and the efficiency of the driver/fleet themselves. These irregularities can lead to fuel costs going over the projected price more regularly; however, with the help of fleet management systems, this can be mitigated. Using GPS software, you can make better projections, see real-time fuel consumption data, maintenance reports, driver downtime, and plan a more efficient route that is less heavy on fuel for the driver.
3. Streamlined Fleet Reports and Dispatch
A key benefit to knowing where all of your fleet is, is that it allows for an easier method of improving your dispatch system. Effective fleet management helps give you a better idea where the fleet is located, what they have left in their day, and even the efficiency of their fuel use. Through this method, and the automated fleet reports that can be given hourly, daily or weekly, it can help you decide whether or not your drivers can handle more in their day. Additionally, you can begin to understand the habits of your fleet, and begin to create a more effective plan through the use of a fleet management system.
4. Customer Service
With the changing market and relationship to tracking information, customers are able to demand more from many companies. Through the leverage of the data from a fleet management system, you can cut the costs of transportation and provide better estimates/tracking information to your customers. With real-time data into your fleet, you can even inform customers quicker should a situation or problem arise with the transportation of the products/goods. Tracking has become such a mainstream commodity now that ensuring yours is the most accurate and user friendly of your competitors is essential to maintaining a loyal customer base.
The importance of visibility into your fleet cannot go understated. From a business standpoint, you want to be able to ensure that all of your expenses are reasonable and controlled. For your customers, having good visibility means that they can receive better and more transparent customer service. Fleet management systems can help ensure your drivers’ safety, the cost-effectiveness of your fleet, and the loyalty of your customers, through transparency and visibility of every aspect of your team. Additionally, fleet management can help you prepare for unforeseen issues that arise, and create a more effective dispatch schedule to help ensure the productivity of your supply chain on the road.
