Effective Fleet Management: Strategies and Implementation
Rich in features, applications, and benefits, fleet maintenance 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.
