Have you found yourself asking, “What is fleet management software?” Looking for a way to streamline fleet management but not sure where to begin? Want definitive answers to questions like “How do you effectively use fleet management technologies?” so that you can decide whether or not this software is a good fit for your business?
This article will explore how fleet management software works and highlight the benefits it can provide to organizations.
How does fleet management software work?
So, what is fleet management software exactly? The answer is pretty straightforward. It’s a type of technology that can help you oversee and manage your fleet operations resources.
This includes paying attention to everything from trucks and trailers to improving your company’s safety, efficiency, compliance, and customer service. Fleet tracking software gives you a comprehensive view of each vehicle, asset and its lifecycle as well.
Modern fleet solutions provide a centralized interface from which you can access all relevant data. You can manage your fleet and assets spread across multiple locations, monitor the status and position of the vehicle, track performance, manage costs and easily perform other executive functions.
What is fleet management software used for?
Fleet management technology is a true all-in-one solution that can greatly enhance fleet visibility. The technology is used to gain better control of fleets, improve fleet allocation, streamline operational efficiency, and pave the way for significant cost savings.
Most fleet manager software options can also improve maintenance processes, enhance route planning capabilities and optimize client experiences.
What does fleet management software do?
Fleet management software empowers fleet managers and other organizational leaders to monitor drivers and vehicles continuously. They can perform these tasks from a web application or mobile app.
The technology provides fleet managers with critical data so that they can make informed decisions regarding how and when to allocate vehicles and assets.
Why do you need it?
Attempting to manage fleets without the right technologies in place is incredibly tedious, inefficient and costly. Like most organizations, you are probably already paying your fleet manager a respectable salary.
However, this investment will be wasted if you are not also equipping that individual with the tools they need to successfully manage your fleet. Therefore, deploying high-quality fleet management technologies is critical to the success of both the manager and your business as a whole.
How do you use it?
Top fleet management systems include a user-friendly, intuitive interface. This feature is meant to increase employee buy-in and help businesses seamlessly transition to the new technology.
To fully use the software, it will need to be integrated into your existing technology stack. Providers can provide detailed information about the telematics integration requirements and capabilities of their products. They can also provide training resources and guidance to help you make full use of the fleet management solution.
Example of fleet management
You can use fleet management technologies to monitor a broad range of fleet data. For instance, let’s say you want to decrease maintenance costs and increase vehicle lifespan.
With a fleet management system, you can always know the real-time status of your vehicles or assets, including when they are due for maintenance, how many miles they have moved and how long it has been since they have undergone an inspection.
After you have analyzed current maintenance protocols, you can make adjustments to tighten up maintenance schedules, reduce the frequency of major mechanical breakdowns and decrease overall operating costs.
4 advantages of fleet management tools
By investing in a top commercial fleet vehicle management solution, your organization can tap into benefits such as:
Visibility of operations
As your fleet grows, it can become increasingly difficult to monitor the status of each vehicle. Advanced software addresses this pain point by providing you with a high-level dashboard for monitoring your vehicles, drivers, and assets.
You will gain superior operational visibility and better understand the state of your fleet. This information can help you guide decision-making and keep your vehicles or assets in peak operating condition.
Increase in productivity
One of the most notable benefits of vehicle fleet software is that it can help you increase overall productivity. The technology can assist with resource allocation and provide the information needed to deploy fleets or assets more efficiently.
You can optimize routes, increase fleet utilization, and reduce downtime with improved maintenance oversight.
Reduced repair costs and fuel consumption
Regarding maintenance, vehicle management software is an excellent tool for saving money on repairs and fuel costs. You can ditch manual maintenance tracking practices and keep detailed records of all service appointments from your management platform.
Your maintenance personnel can leverage this information to more efficiently schedule service visits and reduce costly equipment breakdowns.
Lowered chances of issues
You are setting yourself up for failure when you lose sight of your fleet tracking. Your overhead costs will begin to rise, drivers are more likely to miss scheduled maintenance and efficiency will plummet.
With fleet management softwares, you can avoid all of these headaches. You can also increase your overall operating efficiency, extend the life cycle of your fleets and boost profit margins.
Find the best fleet management software for your needs
Perhaps you’re now interested in obtaining a solution to streamline your fleet operations. While there are plenty of fleet management solutions out there, not all of them will be the right fit.
With that in mind, you should carefully research potential solutions before committing to a fleet operations management software. It is recommended that you read reviews and explore each solution’s features to find the ideal option for your business.
FAQ
Fleet management software typically costs $20-$150 per vehicle per month, but varies based on features, fleet size, and contract length. The total cost can also include hardware installation, training, and potential customization fees.
The “best” software depends on specific business needs. However, Trimble, Samsara, and Verizon Connect are consistently top-rated for their comprehensive features, reliability, and customer support. A thorough evaluation of your industry-specific requirements and budget is needed to determine the best fit.
SAP does provide fleet management capabilities like vehicle tracking, maintenance scheduling, and logistics optimization. Usually it’s offered part of a larger enterprise solution. Azuga and Trimble are examples of true standalone fleet management systems. GPS tracking, maintenance, fuel management, driver behavior monitoring, and compliance tools comprise their core offering.
