Effectively managing a trucking fleet is more challenging than ever. Luckily, there are fleet management systems that make it easier for fleet managers to analyze important metrics and make everyday decisions that affect their company’s success.
By combining fleet management software with telematic systems, fleet management systems can help minimize downtime and lower fleet fuel costs. These fleet systems help streamline nearly every aspect of operations so you can make more informed business decisions and constantly make improvements.
Learn more about fleet management systems and how they can help maximize productivity in your trucking company.
What is a fleet management system?
A fleet management system (FMS) is a type of integrated software specially designed to help process information and streamline tasks necessary to run a trucking fleet. A fleet system can help companies maximize productivity by integrating data across all aspects of a trucking company to gain insights and ensure compliance.
There are many functions of a fleet management system, including:
- Performance tracking, route optimization and telematics
- Electronic logging device (ELD) integration for hours of service (HOS) logging, dispatching and safety
- Licensing, registration, tax and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) compliance
- Truck maintenance schedules and fuel consumption for fleet vehicles
- Engine and transmission performance
7 ways to maximize productivity with fleet management systems
Fleet managers can maximize efficiency and productivity with these seven fleet management system benefits.
Easily communicate and collaborate
Fleet management systems can help connect every member of your team. With built-in, hands-free communication tools, drivers can exchange information and stay in the loop while staying safe. Whether fleet managers or drivers need to communicate with each other or with technicians or maintenance providers, fleet management software makes it easy to communicate and problem-solve from anywhere.
Manage your fleet remotely
Any trucking company has countless moving parts, and remotely managing them all is a significant challenge without the right tools. A fleet management system makes it easier for managers to oversee all aspects of their operations regardless of where they or other team members are located. With this ability to manage operations from anywhere, you can better handle problems as soon as they arise and keep track of your fleet and its needs.
Save time with eDVIRs
An electronic driver vehicle inspection report (eDVIR), like traditional paper DVIRs, can help with road safety, extend vehicle life by identifying maintenance problems and ensure legal compliance. Paper reports can be time-consuming, hard to keep organized and carry a higher risk of human error. You can save time and improve overall efficiency by using eDVIRs as part of a fleet management system.
Create an efficient maintenance program
Every minute one of your trucks spends in the repair shop is a missed opportunity for your company. By streamlining preventative maintenance, you can keep your fleet running smoothly, limiting the time spent in the shop. A fleet management system with mobile integration can help by allowing you to schedule automatic maintenance reminders, send work orders to technicians and approve repairs from anywhere.
Understand the complete cost of ownership
Knowing where your trucking company stands financially at any given time is essential for effective operations. Measuring financials and understanding how they impact daily operations is crucial for creating a more productive fleet process.
Fleet management systems are an easy and effective way to track the cost per mile for every vehicle in your fleet and automatically calculate your ownership costs. Free online calculators can give you a snapshot of your current profit-loss margins to determine if fleet management software is the best fit for your business.
Measure and track progress
It’s impossible to know whether you’re improving productivity without effectively measuring progress. With a fleet system, you can track important metrics that affect your bottom line, such as:
- How much time inspections take
- Cost of vehicle repairs
- Fuel expenses
- Routine maintenance costs
- Downtime
- On-time service rates
GPS and telematic integrations
Fleet management software is best used with other technologies for a fully integrated management system. Telematics is a trucking technology that can record and analyze valuable data about your vehicles and their drivers, including GPS tracking, fuel efficiency and engine performance. Integrating GPS and telematics in your fleet management system can help you maximize productivity by identifying better route options, unsafe driving behavior and vehicle issues.
Optimize your fleet with a fleet management system
Fleet management systems can help you better manage your trucking company by aiding in company-wide communication and allowing you to manage your fleet from anywhere. Rather than spending time on paper forms or estimating when vehicles need maintenance, a fleet management system can help you manage driver vehicle inspection reports and send alerts regarding routine maintenance.
Also, by easily being able to track key performance indicators (KPIs), fleet management systems can measure progress and have a better understanding of your total cost of ownership. Ultimately, incorporating a fleet management system in your trucking company’s operations can maximize productivity and improve your bottom line.
FAQ
Key performance indicators are metrics that help fleet managers identify where their company is doing well and where there’s room for improvement. Some common KPIs for trucking companies are fuel consumption, driver safety, fleet productivity and vehicle performance.
The best fleet management systems are an all-in-one solution that helps managers problem-solve to maximize productivity. Fleet managers should look for a fleet system with tracking and telematics that allow real-time visibility of all aspects of their operation.
The purpose of fleet management is the continual improvement of operations. Effective fleet managers use fleet management systems to help reduce costs and improve safety within their organizations.
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