As a fleet manager, you want to keep paying attention to the ball, be informed about news, trends, and laws, and note the unexpected curve balls in the fleet management industry.
To do your work effectively, you must keep abreast of all new things to manage your budget accurately, reducing financial and safety risks and increasing your revenue.
After all, we all need to make our bosses, stakeholders, and customers happy.
I want you to be at the top of your game, so I’ve collected 5 changes that you need to observe in 2017.
Let’s go live.
1. Change of Fuel Management
It is not surprising that fleet managers that fuel costs are a major budget issue for the fleet industry.
In early 2017 the International Energy Agency predicted a surplus of world crude oil would be reduced, thus reducing fuel costs.
The increase came as OEMs and other oil producers set a stamp on oil production, which fueled their own gains.
Not suprisingly
But fleet managers take precautions to improve fuel efficiency. Some of these measures include purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle model and reducing vehicle size without compromising vehicle performance.
Managers also implement better fuel efficiency by encouraging better driving practices.
Some drivers receive cash rewards for practicing more insightful driving habits.
2. Telematics
With telematics technology installed in vehicles this year, fleet managers are better able to manage cost increases more effectively.
Utilization of telematics applications encourages better fuel consumption decline, routing and productivity results.
Another tactical company that uses is the use of SIM cards in telematics devices as a way to lower data costs.
Whether for real-time monitoring or for scheduling, financial spending, and vehicle services, this growing trend seems to help the fleet industry.
3. Paperless document management
The world is moving toward a paperless environment for business transactions and the fleet industry is no different.
The Company deals with paper printing methods for electronic communications for purchase orders, delivery status, monitoring and reporting of vehicles.
This key process is now done electronically via email, online portals and company websites.
4. GPS Tracking System
About 30-40% of fleet companies use GPS tracking devices to manage business aspects.
Like telematics, this system helps minimize risk, lower costs, and increase revenue.
Tracking GPS components gives the fleet managers more control over their business in the following ways:
The risk of theft goes down
The driving efficiency goes up
Managers can monitor key standards such as better service hours
5. Availability of vehicles
Often: Trucks are withdrawn and vehicles require regular maintenance. Upfitter schedule can make the vehicle out of service. This inconvenience causes delays in your business, putting more pressure on you.
One of the solutions used by the fleet management company is the bailment pool program.
With fewer fleets doing their own upfitting, more companies are turning to bailing pools lately as a smart alternative to keeping businesses running.
The above article highlights five changes that go into fleet management by 2017.
What other changes do you see coming down from a pike?