Tech

Fleet Management: What It Entails

Manage Your Fleet Easily

Innovations made in recent years made managing a fleet easier. It means that managers can run and monitor their fleets more efficiently, on time and within budget. Managers can also make decisions based on the activities taken from asset management, dispatch and routing, and vehicle acquisition and disposal. Companies that use a type of fleet management system ensure compliance, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

Asset management and asset tracking solutions are the tools fleet managers keep by their side. Commercial, industrial and logistics businesses are ensured productivity and cost savings by preventing loss with the help of asset management systems. It can also help identify supply chain bottlenecks and enable further process automation.

Asset Tracking Solutions

There are many ways for fleet managers to monitor their fleet. Asset tracking solutions are one of the tools used nowadays by many fleet management systems. Here are some of the best options fleet managers use for fleet tracking and management.

1. GPS Tracking Systems

Day-to-day activities like hailing a taxi, organising road trips or networking on social sites are made simple using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. It has also revolutionised fleet management by enabling managers to track their vehicles and enhance safety and productivity.

These tracking systems are fitted into vehicles and store fleet information sent to a server. GPS also generates real-time information that can be accessed with a phone, tablet or computer. More sophisticated, modern GPS nowadays can even alert managers if someone is driving carelessly. You can also customise the system to fit the nature of your operations.

2. Asset Tracking Software

These kinds of software centralise your fleet operations. It also tracks and monitors the vehicles in your fleet in real-time. You can also schedule preventive maintenance and repairs for your assets through asset tracking software. More sophisticated solution software can anticipate breakdowns before they occur, saving you money in repairs.

Sometimes GPS devices and in-vehicle sensors are included in modern systems. It makes them quite effective at collecting data. It enables managers to generate instant reports and see essential details regarding the company’s assets like utilisation and real-time location.

3. Tracking Cameras

You can monitor your drivers’ behaviours by installing a GPS-enabled driver monitoring systemin your fleet. Dashboard cameras became helpful tools in fleet management since it enables unparalleled visibility into driver mannerisms and safety.

The use of a driver monitoring system in your fleet can let you determine the competency of your drivers on the road, may they be old or new. It will help you evaluate their performance and identify areas of improvement through the videos it records. Some driver management systems have camera technology for drowsiness detection in the system.

4. Mobile Applications

The business landscape has become more dynamic. It has borne a need for flexibility and adaptability to current trends. Investing in powerful fleet and asset management technology can cut costs and boost productivity. Nowadays, even fleet management solutions like asset tracking have mobile apps that help managers keep track of their fleet and drivers wherever they are.

The real-time data these fleet tracking apps provide help users know where their vehicles are and if they are engaged or idle. It also allows managers to seamlessly communicate with vehicle operators to get information on a vehicle’s status. Dispatching vehicles to where they are needed is made easy through routing features, boosting customer satisfaction.

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Benefits of Fleet Management Systems

Nowadays, more and more companies make use of fleet management systems. It helped improve their efficiency and increase visibility into their operations. These systems also helped them stay in compliance with regulations.

Fleet management systems may include proactive vehicle maintenance, improving fleet safety. It also automates and streamlines dispatching. These are only a few of the benefits of using a fleet management system. The following are some of the bigger benefits of using such management systems.

Manual Task Automation

Time is money for all fleet managers and companies. These kinds of software solutions automate a lot of repetitive tasks done manually. You are also reducing administrative burden, lowering operating costs and more time to focus on growing your business. The usage of such fleet management solutions can help you:

  • Locate all your trailers, trucks and equipment in real-time.
  • Eliminate the need to contact drivers to get status updates, ETAs and job details.
  • Keep paperwork like forms, fuel receipts, invoices, and proof of delivery in a single place.
  • In simplifying HOS management, IFTA trip sheets and filing as well as vehicle inspection reports.

Increase Profitability

Companies that rely on mobile workforces generally have high capital expenses. It can spiral out of control before anyone knows it unless managed closely. You can reduce the costs of your fleet and increase your profit margins with the use of fleet management telematics software. Fleet management solutions can help you:

  • By reducing fuel wastage throughout your fleet and lowering fuel costs.
  • Catch potential maintenance issues before they cause vehicle breakdowns, becoming extensive problems.
  • By reducing instances of vehicle misuse with real-time tracking.
  • Optimise asset utilisation so your fleet can complete more jobs with fewer employees and vehicles.

Improve Overall Fleet Safety

Depending on drivers and vehicles, accidents are always a risk for businesses. It can be a substantial cost to your business, especially if injuries are involved. Your drivers are also your company’s representatives. Their overly aggressive and dangerous driving can have a considerable impact on your brand’s reputation. The fleet management telematics will enable you to:

  • Tell apart between your best and worst-performing drivers.
  • Immediately correct your driver’s aggressive and dangerous driving through a coaching program you created.
  • Monitor driving history and track your driver’s improvements. You can also offer traditional training if needed.
  • Protect your business from litigation and exonerate drivers with the use of dashcam data.

Improved Customer Service

The customers are a company’s bread and butter, and customer service can be the differentiator for competitive businesses. It is less expensive to keep a customer than to find a new one. Having and keeping top-notch customer service is crucial to the success of your business. Using fleet management telematics can help you enhance customer service experience by:

  • Optimising route planning with location data for on-time deliveries and service arrivals.
  • Providing you with more accurate ETAs through real-time tracking. It also lets your customers know exactly when they would be expecting your team.

Guardian SEA bridges the gap for business and enables advanced technology solutions seekers by facilitating the process of transforming ideas into realities. They value the safety of your drivers and the lifespan of your fleet. Contact them now for a consultation and more information about their fleet management system.