Vehicular fleets comprise the largest part of the logistics and transport industry. Anything delivering small goods to customers or large items to companies requires vehicles to function. People, businesses, and organizations require these fleets to complete their daily operations. Having numerous vans, trucks, cars, buses, and HGVs to carry out jobs is why we see widespread use of commercial vehicle fleets today.
Beyond this, some sections of the industry require a special approach to handling these entities. The common term used for this approach is fleet management or smart fleet management solutions. This approach refers to the ways a company ensures its fleet’s prosperity and longevity. We’ve kept this in mind and created a simple but comprehensive guide to fleet management and how you can use a fleet management system for your logistics company.
Understanding fleet management
Broadly speaking, fleet management refers to a company’s ability to help its vehicular fleet run healthily. This term however is a very general statement and consists of many managerial activities.
Fleet management covers things like vehicle upkeep and maximizing performance. Typically, fleet management is overseen by a single person rather than a whole team. These managers have an essential role and comprise a variety of tasks. These tasks concern internal and external factors.
The role of fleet management services
Fleet management services are mostly software that gathers, stores, processes, maintains, and generates reports on fleet activities. The software usually gathers information about the vehicle, driver, fuel, road conditions, and accidents. The software works alongside hardware like cameras to record the driver and road activity.
Altogether, these solutions give the fleet manager and the higher-ups a complete view of their operations. Here, they can monitor the performance of the vehicles and the drivers.
Common fleet types in use
Small business fleets
These fleets are those used by florists, bakeries, food or delivery services, small construction projects, contractors, and landscapers.
Transport fleets
Examples of these fleets include taxi cabs, ride-sharing companies, moving vans, and rental cars. The vehicle here either transports people or goods over long distances.
Trucking fleets
Vehicles here are semi-trucks that move high-volume loads across great distances. These vehicles are far larger than most others and come with additional safety issues and regulations.
Commercial fleets
The size of this fleet depends wholly on the business that owns it. Examples of this fleet are cross-country shipping, construction, moving, and delivery vehicles.
Features found in most fleet management services
The best way to find the correct fleet management services is to first evaluate what matters most to you. No service or software fits every company as each company’s needs vary. Most smart fleet management solutions have similar features.
Electronic logging devices
Drivers use these devices to log their hours on duty.
Fleet tracking system
Companies install GPS on each vehicle to accurately track where each member of their fleet is at any given time. The GPS also provides information on their route, current speed, and location. Advanced GPS trackers also provide information like real-time weather and traffic updates.
Vehicle fleet management software
This service helps the fleet manager get a complete understanding of the vehicle’s health. They can monitor the vehicle’s safety, fuel efficiency, and service milestones. This information helps the fleet manager order spare parts or decide when to send the vehicle for service.
Video telematics
These devices record the driver throughout the journey. A combination of cameras and AI-driven fleet management solutions helps the fleet manager to ‘see’ the whole picture from their system.
Benefits of fleet management
A working fleet management software gives the logistics company peace of mind. The software bridges the gap between the driver and fleet manager. Now, both sides can work together and create a culture of transparency, accountability, and safety. This culture improves driver performance, maintains safe driving habits, and increases efficiency.
For fleet drivers
According to the ATA (American Trucking Association), there will be a shortfall of more than 150,000 truck drivers by 2026. It is essential to create a culture that encourages and supports drivers. The right technology makes it possible to prevent unlawful incidents from happening in the first place.
For fleet managers
Fleet managers have a lot of work to oversee all at once. They have tasks like fleet tracking, vehicle maintenance, driver management, etc. Their role is to ensure the fleets move on time and that requires numerous moving parts to work together in tandem. An effective smart fleet management solution in place improves efficiency without giving up compliance and safety in the process.
How smart fleet management solutions help you
The best fleet management services provide a holistic approach to your operations. These solutions help you in the following ways.
Prevent accidents from happening
Real-time alerts and driver behavior scoring innovate the driver experience. Now, drivers are given incentives for utilizing safe and positive driving practices.
Maintain the vehicle’s health
Tracking a vehicle’s health gives companies the ability to proactively maintain their vehicles. This approach ultimately makes the vehicles safer and increases efficiency.
Decrease fleet claim costs and insurance policy
The latest fleet management solutions also provide risk management, decrease insurance costs, and more. Also, many insurance companies give discounts and benefits when using a specific fleet management solution.
Increase profits
Predictive maintenance and usage of AI-driven fleet management technologies reduce costs by nearly 40%. It also reduces downtime by 50% while increasing capital investment by 3-5%.
Provide a top-notch customer experience
The success of any logistics industry is to ensure the product reaches the customer on time and safely. A robust fleet management solution helps them do exactly that.
Final thoughts
Initially learning and understanding fleet management software takes some time and effort. However, once it is done, you have everything you need to make your fleet the best in the industry. Fleet management services like Axlerate provide exactly what you’re looking for. It is a comprehensive tool to help you and your company reach new heights without sacrificing anything in the process.
