From your neighborhood’s vegetable and grocery seller to cross-country delivery services, commercial vehicles are the backbone for transporting all goods and people across the globe.
Almost all existing businesses either have their own fleet of vehicles or have tied up with a third-party supply-chain logistics company.
Therein lies the importance of the fleet or the commercial vehicles. But managing the fleet operations and tracking them is a daunting task and, often, a costly asset.
Thankfully, the entire fleet operations can be streamlined and made cost-effective using an FMS or fleet management software.
Read on to know what it is and how it eases your entire fleet operations.
What is Fleet Management Software?
A fleet management software or FMS is a cloud-based platform that helps fleet managers streamline the fleet operations by coordinating, controlling, and organizing vehicles.
Further, it can be easily integrated with third-party tools and software to yield every possible information about the fleet.
Ways Fleet Management Software Eases Your Entire Fleet Operations
Let us understand how fleet management software is a boon to your business.
- Advantages of Digitalization and Technology
The biggest hurdle to seamless and efficient fleet management was the lack of visibility and no unified way to track the vehicles on the go.
However, the technology and digitalized fleet operations have made everything effortless and completely changed the fleet operating system or fleet OS.
Foremost, the entire fleet OS is managed via a web-based application. Hence, you can install and use it with almost all existing operating systems. It also gives you the freedom to access data and real-time information from any location and at any time.
The software has a series of integrated software like the DRS, GPS tracker, etc., that gives you real-time information about your fleet and its operators.
Made robust with artificial intelligence, telematics devices, etc., it increases efficiency manifold while reducing all kinds of wastes.
- Real-time Visibility of The Entire Fleet on One Screen
The FMS facilitates the view and management of your entire fleet on your computer screen or similar telematics device. This gives you clear operational visibility and a unified method of tracking vehicles on the go, intercepting problems at the earliest and implementing solutions in an expedited manner.
This visibility eliminates all kinds of issues that used to happen without it, like miscommunications, uncertainties, shipment and delivery delays, etc. All these negatively impacted any business and used to ruin their reputation.
- Improved Driver Performance and Safety
Driver safety is crucial for the business as well as individual drivers. The FMS is integrated with camera software, via which you can monitor drivers’ on-road habits.
Applications like engine diagnostics and vehicle trackers let you know of any driver’s adverse driving habits like unnecessary braking, over-accelerating, turning corners aggressively, etc.
You can also monitor habits like drinking while driving, number of hours worked, time delays in delivery and pickup-etc.
It helps you punish miscreant drivers and reward compliant drivers for establishing more compliant and smooth fleet management and operation.
Furthermore, this microscopic view helps you know of any untoward incidents or vehicle defects. This way, you can take prompt action and enhance driver safety.
- Higher Driver Satisfaction
The fleet management software structures the entire process. It automates several tedious and manual processes like attendance, logging hours, etc., thereby improving the day-to-day experience for drivers.
Their increased safety and performance view also motivates them to put their best foot forward and progress in their job. Overall, it increases their job satisfaction.
- Improved Vehicle Maintenance with Enhanced Safety and Reliability
The FMS provides all relevant data points like engine hours, fuel monitoring, kilometers traveled, etc. All of this helps you create a preventive fleet maintenance schedule. Consequently, you can address vehicle issues in their infancy and save significantly on vehicle maintenance costs.
The software also offers you clarity of vehicle downtime caused by tows, breakdowns, jumpstart, or emergency repairs. It helps you identify potential problem areas and develop solutions to mitigate their impact.
By helping you create a robust preventive maintenance plan, the software saves you significant time and money going forward.
- Optimized Productivity
The software provides all data points and helps you take proactive care of both the vehicles and the manpower.
It not only optimizes your business’ productivity but also helps reduce your fleet’s operating budget, especially in areas like increasing fuel efficiency, reducing the company’s wage bill, etc.
- Makes Insurance Protection More Robust
Because of increased visibility, better control, and management, enhanced preventive measures, etc., you can
- Keep your fleet in top condition.
- Adhere better to road safety guidelines
- Reduce road accidents, etc.
All these bring you brownie points from your insurance provider and help earn extra discounts.
- Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
The digitized fleet operations also earn you better customer satisfaction which translates to your business growth.
The booking and appointment reminder procedures get simplified, transparent, and more accurate. Customers can easily track their shipments and make emergency changes and adaptations more smoothly.
Final Words
The benefits and advantages of a fleet management software outlined are by no means comprehensive. There are plenty of other advantages. Nevertheless, they establish that a digitized fleet operation is a powerful tool that eases many fleet challenges and increases the efficiency and ROI of any business.
The FMS is indeed a must-have tool to ease your entire fleet operations!
