A single parameter cannot define the success of a fleet. This business takes years of experience to build and manage. The fleet business is one such domain that has a lot of moving parts. From the driver to the manager and the ground-staff, all of them must work in harmony to meet deadlines.
The era we live in, the use of fleet management software has made it easy to manage and monitor fleets. This is a simple dashboard that electronically links to all the vehicles. They continuously track locations, monitor health, and provide detailed reports.
The use of such software is the first step towards successful fleet management. The role of the administration also plays vital importance. The manager’s ability to adapt to change and keep communications in check is the crux of active management.
1. Time Is Money
A fleet that does not run on time is redundant to the operations. The manager must ensure the deadlines, irrespective of the roadblocks they may face. Perfect planning and the help of some management tools can make this happen effectively.
For example, the use of GPS fleet tracking devices will ensure better monitoring and ensure the fleet remains on schedule.
2. Manage Fuel Cost
Effective fleet management involves the optimum utilisation of fuel for all vehicles of the fleet. This process is possible in two ways – the first is by tracking your fleet’s service and ensuring they are running in prime condition, which will inevitably provide better mileage to your fleet.
The other way is to keep a well-designed route plan. This is to ensure that your fleet does not run on a low or empty load.
The use of a fleet management system can assist with both of these parameters.
3. Predict Maintenance
To elaborate on the previous point, fleet health is any organisation’s ongoing battle. A minor breakdown can slow the whole network and lead to delay in deadlines. This glitch will eventually cost revenue and client losses.
The constant check on the fleet’s health is a must. Perfect health can only be accomplished by scheduling regular services and studying the fleet’s GPS data for any discrepancies.
4. Drivers’ Habits Define The Business
The drivers of the fleet hold many responsibilities, and overseeing their behaviour and safety are both important. The fleet should check on the driver’s schedule, enforce operation-compliance, and monitor the driver for functional safety.
Many organisations use a dash camera to help with this. These are sophisticated devices that record the driver and provide a live feed to the manager. Some dash-cameras also detect obstacles and navigate routes, which work as driver assistants.
5. Embrace Digital Documentation
The lack of digital documentation is a significant disadvantage in this age of technology. Keeping paper-records is a tedious and confusing task. The use of digital-documents makes them portable and easy to sort and locate.
Some advanced applications also allow the fleet organisation to filter documents based on each vehicle. For example, an app can determine the dates of registration and insurance renewal.
6. Adapt To New Change
Keeping up with the technological changes is the only way to remain ahead of the completion. Additionally, it also guarantees the best in class tech for the crew and better service for the client. The manager and the head of the company must stay relevant to the changing trends and be quick to adapt.
This change is valid for new vehicle purchases, the introduction of new routes, and changes in regulations.
7. Think Consumer First
The real success of a fleet is measured based on the satisfaction of the consumer. A fleet management service should think of the user’s needs and bring change positively. If there is a demand in the market, the service should be able to comply with it.
Companies must not shy away from sharing significant achievements or benchmarks with the users. This is a definite way to attract a higher user base and retain the existing customers.
8. Apply Route Management
As mentioned earlier, route management is the most effective way to ensure optimum fuel use. Additionally, it also benefits the company in other ways. For example, route planning will reduce the ferry time, help manage driver schedules, and optimise the scheduling of the fleet.
Route management will also allow you to evenly utilise the whole fleet without over-burdening one vehicle or driver. Route planning today can be done using an advanced application that scrutinises the addresses and maps an efficient route.
9. Take Time To Analyse
The sea of data collected by the fleet system is redundant if not analysed for its benefit. The fleet company can use these data points to understand their fleet usage and make changes in operations.
This data can also assist the fleet in making sales. For example, figures like accent rates, on-time-performance, etc. are highly sellable parameters to acquire new clients. These statistics also help hire more qualified staff.
Companies that use fleet management software will acquire this data in ready-to-use formats, which will save manual calculation time and cost.
10. Understand Vehicle Purchase
Having a consistent fleet is the best way to have seamless operations. This is possible by managing your vehicle purchase and sail in the right direction. For example, a company that uses a fleet pool from the same make (or company) will find it easier to manage maintenance and service.
The same way it helps to set up actionable goals on new vehicle buying and set deadlines. The idea is to incorporate a system where you only hold the fleet that will be in service, and minimal vehicles sit ideal.
Final Thoughts
We cannot enforce the importance of technology in the fleet management business. Please do not consider them as an added cost to the operations, but a means to reduce the staff’s burden and derive more productivity from them.
Three paraments define the success of a fleet. These are punctuality, longevity, and adaptation. Operations of fleets will only see progress when the perfect set of people work with perfectly designed tools.
