By Fleet management refers to the overall systems that help keep the fleet of cars running efficiently within a company’s budget. Fleet management is significant when the company owns five and more cars for the organization’s operations.
Fleet management systems help the management department monitor dispatch, organize routing, and inform decisions such as disposal and acquisition of better, efficient vehicles. Typically, fleet wrap companies help the organization remain compliant, reduce waste, manage costs and improve efficiency within a budget.
Some industries that use fleet management systems include;
- public transport
- oil and gas
- trailers
- transport and distribution firms
- mining corporations
- fast-moving consumer goods suppliers
- rental and leasing companies
- field and trade services
- emergency service providers
- security and courier services
- construction companies
What is the role of a fleet manager?
A company that owns more than five cars needs to hire a fleet manager for better results and profit. The overall fleet manager works with other departments to ensure deliveries are done in time, drivers are safe on the road, and all logistics comply with the company’s regulations. Generally, the fleet manager ensures the company runs efficiently and meets the business’ bottom line.
Fleet managers and operational costs
A fleet manager can make or break a logistics company. Typically, it is the role of a fleet manager to reduce operational costs throughout the fleet. It is this responsibility to get rid of unnecessary expenses to ensure the fleet is cost-effective.
A fleet manager’s take on fuel, maintenance, and cooperation costs determines the company’s profitability. The fleet manager can advise on a better fuel efficiency program to help deal with fluctuating fuel prices. The fleet manager can significantly implement asset tracking systems to reduce theft and misuse and ensure drivers’ safety and customer delivery timelines.
Fleet management software is a must-have tool for real-time visibility in a company’s operations. It helps increase driver satisfaction, decrease fuel usage and enhance customer satisfaction. Investing in fleet management software can improve:
- Fleet vehicles assets and equipment
- Maintenance and repair
- Project company budget and forecasting
- Fuel costs and effective use
- regulatory and legal compliance
Fleet management software solutions
Significantly, fleet management solutions can integrate other providers to streamline customer delivery, orders and payments. The system eliminates lengthy administrative processes, and manages company resources effectively. You can ask your provider to integrate mobile applications for easy access on your smart devices such as laptops, tablets, or phones.
Benefits of fleet management systems
Technology has made fleet management more efficient and cost-effective than before. Fleet management systems improve efficiency and increase visibility into the company’s operations, including driver’s safety, vehicle compliance, and punctual delivery to the customer. If you think the fleet management system is overrated, think and read through the benefits explained below.
- Automated operations
Investing in fleet management solutions helps the fleet manager perform his roles efficiently to save money and make a profit for the company. Manual tasks waste time and are prone to human error. Additionally, manual tasks are repetitive, require many hands to finish a task, and are inefficient.
However, installing fleet management software solutions automates manual tasks and helps lower operating costs, minimize administrative tasks and gives real-time feedback. Automated fleet management systems can help:
- Track oil tankers, trailers, vehicles, and trucks in real-time
- Eliminate the need to call drivers for updates, inquiries, and job details
- Maintain one-touch records for fuel receipts, invoices, and other proofs
- Simplify inspection reports, filing, and trip sheets
- Improved customer experience
Fleet drivers are critical employees in a fleet company. They’re the link between the products and timely delivery to the customers. However, they’re often distracted and under constant pressure to report to the relevant department and deliver to the waiting customers. Consequently, they cause accidents and make avoidable mistakes, causing massive losses to the company.
Automated fleet management systems solutions employ artificial intelligence to track vehicles around and give real-time feedback to the fleet manager. The feedback enables the manager to make informed decisions such as the need to delay a dispatch, change route and stop running the engine when wastage is dictated. Additionally, the fleet manager can control a driver’s operations and allow self-correction to avoid accidents and losses.
- Informs decisions based on data
Fleet management systems solution forms the basis for decision-making in a company. The managers can make a timely decision as problems arise in the course of business. For instance, a driver running the engine on a stationary car can have the engine stopped to save fuel. Without the system, such a driver would have to reach the delivery point to be questioned a bit too late.
The system uses tools to identify inefficiencies and correct errors to prevent waste and promote efficiency.
Secondly, automated fleet management solutions promote the driver’s safety. The manager can identify dangerous driving and organize refresher forums to equip the drivers better. A company can further integrate dash-cams for tracking, recording, and feedback. The records can be used for personalized training aimed at correcting specific issues. Ultimately, the fleet drivers’ safety is assured, therefore enhancing safety.
- Timely vehicle acquisition
A company’s fleet manager is in charge of all the cars’ operations. The manager determines the vehicles’ suitability for trips, handles legislation issues, and negotiates vehicle replacement or addition to the fleet. Additionally, the manager handles insurance, tax, and fuel cost-effectiveness issues when acquiring new vehicles.
The manager monitors the productivity of each vehicle in the fleet and decides when to dispose of old ones. A vehicle that outgrows its efficient life cycle becomes a liability to the company. Fleet management system solutions help the manager track a car’s performance and justify the need to dispose of or acquire a new one.
- Enhances vehicle maintenance
Proper maintenance of fleet cars for efficiency and cost-effectiveness is an ongoing task. Fleet management software solutions can be customized to put preventive measures against waste from redundant fleet cars. The managers can effectively develop management strategies that ensure all vehicles operate optimally. Therefore, automating fleet systems detects breakdowns that cause delays and other inefficiencies.
Take away
Fleet management managers can deliver effective services with automated options such as software solutions. Service delivery is enhanced cost-effectively.
