Tag: fleet management systems

Effective Fleet Management: Strategies and Implementation

Posted on | by Alexis | Leave a Comment on Effective Fleet Management: Strategies and Implementation

Rich in features, applications, and benefits, fleet management tools are assets in today’s transport industry. In this article, we’ll explain them in detail – from the technology behind them to modern-day applications that keep your fleet running efficiently and cost-effectively.

Defining Fleet Management

Fleet management is the process of managing a company’s commercial vehicles. This includes everything from purchasing and servicing vehicles to scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking fuel consumption and more. 

Fleet management also includes tracking a vehicle’s usage and performance data to ensure that it’s being used responsibly and efficiently. This data can help fleet managers make informed decisions about upgrading or replacing vehicles, as well as how to maximize cost savings and enforce environmental sustainability.

How Do Fleet Management Systems Work?

Fleet management systems operate through the use of connected sensors, trackers, and satellites that relay information to one another, and ultimately send collected data to a main administrative hub. 

These systems leverage a combination of technologies, including GPS and on-board diagnostics (OBD), to build a comprehensive picture of a vehicle’s movements and status in real-time.

What Fleet Management Systems Do – Main Functions and Features

The technology behind fleet management tools make them capable of performing a wide range of functions. Below are some of the most common features on the market today.

GPS Vehicle Tracking

Fleet management systems use GPS technology to pinpoint and log an asset’s geographical location on a map. They can also track the speed of a vehicle, as well as its route and total distance traveled. 

Fleet managers can use this data to identify where assets are at a given moment, as well as how they’re being used and by whom. Furthermore, fleet management allows managers to use predictive data to find alternative routes for improved efficiency.

Real-Time Alerts

Real-time alerts are sent to stakeholders when specific events are triggered. Triggers might include speeding, tailgating, harsh braking or straying from an assigned route; alerts can then be sent to the driver, fleet manager, or other authorized personnel.

Vehicle Diagnostics

Vehicle diagnostics allow fleet managers to monitor the performance of their vehicles in real-time. This includes monitoring fuel and oil levels, tire pressure, engine temperature, battery health and more. 

Having access to these data sets in real-time allows fleet managers to reduce fuel costs, maintain engine health, and identify potential issues before they become more serious.

Driver Behaviour Analysis

This feature allows companies to monitor driving habits, such as how often drivers accelerate, brake hard, exceed the speed limit, or idle. Monitoring this information enables managers to address any gaps in training and ensure their staff are safe on the road.

Route Planning

When it comes to transport, route congestion can make or break a delivery. Fleet management systems use real-time traffic data to find the most efficient routes for assets, saving fuel, wear and tear, and time in the process. 

Fuel Management

Many fleet management systems come with fuel tracking features, which allow companies to manage how much fuel each vehicle has consumed. This type of data is invaluable for optimizing routes and ensuring that assets are being used efficiently.

The Prevalence of Fleet Management Systems On Today’s Roads

The numerous features, capabilities and benefits of management tools have made them a hot commodity among fleets big and small. 

Recent data from Government Fleet’s annual benchmarking survey estimates that over three-quarters of managers use fleet tracking software or telematics to support at least some of their day-to-day operations. 

As technology continues to evolve and landscapes become more competitive, this number is expected to increase. Economic data valued the global fleet management market at $19.47 billion in 2020, and projects that it will double to $52.50 billion by 2030. 

The Benefits of Fleet Management

These tools are popular for a reason; these tools offer amazing benefits:

  • Increased efficiency in managing fleets of all sizes
  • Optimization of supply chains and delivery times
  • Reduced fuel costs due to route management
  • Real-time visibility of vehicles and their locations
  • Monitoring of driver behaviour to increase safety
  • Maintenance scheduling to avoid potential costly repairs
  • Improved customer service by providing accurate ETAs
  • Automation of administrative processes such as invoicing, hours of service (HOS) and route planning

The impact is clear – management tools are a must for any competitive fleet. Not only do these solutions provide unparalleled visibility and control, they also encourage considerable cost savings, improved customer service and a safer work environment. 

With the global fleet management market expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, now is the best time to invest in a robust system for your fleet’s future. Contact your GoFleet consultant today to learn how to stay ahead of the curve.

 

Five Benefits of Fleet Management Systems

Posted on | by Alexis | Leave a Comment on Five Benefits of Fleet Management Systems

Fleet management systems can facilitate nearly every aspect of day-to-day operations and offer numerous benefits beyond the traditional way of doing things. Fleet management is a full-time job. Not only do managers juggle multiple responsibilities – from inventory to driver safety – they’re also challenged to remain competitive. Luckily, technology has evolved to the point where fleet managers have more options.

In this article, we’ll explore these advantages in detail and explain why fleet management systems are a must for any organization looking to gain a competitive edge.

Understanding Fleet Management Systems

Sometimes referred to as fleet management software, these digital solutions are designed to provide fleet managers with an easy-to-use platform for managing every aspect of their operations – from scheduling, dispatching, and routing to tracking, monitoring, and more.

The Benefits of Implementing a Fleet Management System

Not all fleet managers are eager to jump on board with fleet management software. Some see it as an unnecessary expense or a poor allocation of resources; after all, why go through the trouble of implementing something new when the same old system still ‘works’?

Fleet management software offers a lot of advantages that the traditional approach simply can’t match. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the five most crucial benefits of fleet management software.

1. Greater Visibility Into Fleet Operations and Status

The multi-tasked, risk-prone nature of fleet operations means that companies need full visibility of their vehicles and operators at all times. To this end, fleet management systems make tracking scalable and easy.

The combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and On-board Diagnostics (OBD) in enabled vehicles allows managers to track every aspect of their operations in real-time, from the exact location of each vehicle on the road to engine diagnostics and fuel consumption. This level of insight ensures managers can always keep tabs on their fleet, giving them the ability to act quickly in the event of any disruptions or changes.

2. Enhanced Driver Safety

Drivers are a company’s most precious asset, and warrant as much protection as possible.  Fleet management software provides that extra layer of safety; it helps managers monitor driver behaviour and ensures everyone is following protocol. 

In cases where risky driving behaviour is detected, a fleet manager is immediately alerted. This can be extremely valuable in terms of mitigating risk and preventing accidents.

Fleet management software also helps managers optimize routes to avoid high-traffic areas or bad weather, as well as track driver hours to ensure they aren’t going over their hours of service (HOS). 

Altogether, this software acts as an extra set of ‘eyes and ears’ for managers, ensuring their drivers are always safe and on task.

3. Improved Vehicle Efficiency

Another major advantage of fleet management software is its power to improve vehicle efficiency. By tracking every aspect of a vehicles’ performance, managers can identify opportunities for improving fleet efficiency.

Additionally, managers can use the real-time information provided by the system to plan better routes and optimize fuel consumption. This can help keep operational costs down and maximize vehicle downtime, resulting in fewer repairs and less wasted time.

4. Better Maintenance Programs

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping a fleet running. But the traditional approach can be challenging for managers to keep on top of things; relying on manual checks and checklists can lead to forgotten tasks, missed deadlines, and unreliable results.

Fleet management software simplifies the process by providing detailed overviews of each vehicle’s condition and alerting managers when maintenance is due. Vehicle usage patterns can also lead to developing preventative maintenance schedules. 

5. Reduced Overall Costs

From more productive and efficient operations to saving fuel and preventing accidents, fleet management software helps businesses save a lot of money in the short and long-run.

Fleet management software has become an essential tool for businesses to efficiently manage their fleets. By providing detailed insights and offering a host of safety and efficiency benefits, it can save companies a lot of time and money while helping them keep their vehicles in top condition. 

It’s no wonder that more and more fleet managers are investing in these systems to get the most out of their operations. Contact your GoFleet consultant today for your free demonstration, and find out which solution is right for you.