3 ways to maximize efficiency in Fleet Management
Since you’re interested in this topic, you probably have a good grasp on what fleet management is... the tracking of vehicles, mechanical diagnostics, and driver behavior. So, we won’t bore you with the long-winded definition. However, what we need to discuss is the fact that most fleet management operations are inefficient. Whether it’s misunderstanding the scope of fleet management, understanding the limits of the software, or how to use the software; most companies don’t know how to maximize their efficiency.
So, let’s change that! Here are the three ways to maximize efficiency in fleet management.
Implementing telematics and GPS tracking
Telematics and GPS empower trucking companies fleet managers to monitor truck and driver behavior in real-time (known as on-board diagnosis – OBD).
Knowing the exact scope of telematics can help you learn how to maximize its efficiency. As well as vehicle position, speed and trip/distance, telematics can also tell you idling time, harsh braking, seat belt use, fuel consumption, vehicle faults, battery voltage and many other engine diagnostics.
With this level of scope, you’ll be able to keep track of productivity, safety, fleet optimization, and integration, to the fullest.
Maximizing efficiency with telematics and GPS
Productivity: With GPS tracking the trips, dispatching, and routes, you’ll be able to minimize distances while maximizing capacity along the routes, thus maximizing cost-efficiency while improving customer service by providing more accurate delivery times.
Take FedEx and UPS as an example; their drivers NEVER take left turns! This simple rule saves them six-eight miles per trip and 10 million gallons of fuel per year – these companies worked out through telematics that turning left (and thus going against the flow of traffic) adds time, distance and even danger to routes. Now they save time and money on every trip.
Safety: With telematics, you can increase driver safety with behavior reporting, collision notifications and even locate stolen vehicles. By having clear information on drivers’ actions, you can ensure the safety of the drivers, the vehicles and have a clear view of circumstances if an incident does occur.
Worried about how your drivers may take this kind of driving analysis? Simply reward those who demonstrate safe driving habits to increase morale and driver retention.
Fleet optimization: With predictive maintenance, fuel management and remote diagnostics you can schedule repairs before breakdowns occur and keep tires and engines in good condition.
Streamlining fleet maintenance and repairs
Maintenance needs can be detected with telematics, but it must be perfected to maximize efficiency. By using telematics and planning within the management team, you can schedule maintenance, secure replacement vehicles, and detect patterns in vehicle issues. After all, planned downtime in a vehicle is better than unplanned ones, not to mention that minor repairs are cheaper than fixing a broken-down vehicle.
Adopting fleet management software
As you can imagine, doing all the above with a GPS system and a spreadsheet is... impossible. So, using fleet management software that can keep track and organize data is essential.
But a quick check over G2 or Capterra will give you pages of options without much information on what you actually NEED to maximize efficiency.
So, here’s your list of must-haves to look out for and ask for during demo calls: Vehicle tracking, driving behavior analysis, fuel management and route monitoring.
With these capabilities you’ll maximize efficiency by improving data accuracy, substantially decreasing admin, access more (and sorted) data to make better informed decisions, have the ability to scale fleets, and integrate with other fleet software such as fleet exchanges.
In conclusion
To maximize efficiency in fleet management you need robust fleet management software, telematics in each vehicle (that is integrated with the software to collect data) and use the collected data to take care of the vehicles and drivers. Through doing this you’ll reduce costs in multiple areas of your fleet, shorten delivery timeframes, improve driver KPIs and have the ability to scale your company.
If you want to get started, you can check out Alpega; who can help you with every step of the fleet management process. Similarly, if you’re looking to increase the amount of deals your fleet has, then check out Teleroute today.