How to Improve Fleet Management With Technology

As the VP of Operations, your success comes from ensuring that your company's fleet is running at maximum efficiency while also maintaining safety and sustainability. This is no small feat, but technology can play a significant role in improving fleet management. The fleet industry's technological advancements have made optimizing operations a seamless experience that can help companies save time and money. The integration of fleet management technologies can assist supervisors in quickly adapting to changing market conditions, addressing industry obstacles such as driver retention, fueling issues, and new compliance regulations.

In this article, we explain why fleet managers shouldn’t be afraid to adopt new technologies, and what fleet issues new fleet technologies can solve.

The Importance of Adopting Up-to-date Tech

Before diving into specific technologies, it's essential to recognize the importance of adopting up-to-date tech. In today's fast-paced world, new advancements are being made regularly, and it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. Investing in modern technology not only improves fleet management but also makes your organization more attractive to potential employees and customers. Fleets can face common challenges related to technology adoption. As technology advances rapidly, fleets need to stay up-to-date with new tools and software that can improve their operations. A good step in the right direction is to use fleet management software, especially if it offers features that automatically reduce fuel consumption, prevent speeding-related collisions and can reduce a fleet’s carbon footprint.

Issues Every Fleet Faces

Fleets come in various shapes and sizes, serving different industries and operating under unique circumstances. However, despite these differences, all fleets face a few common issues. Most fleets face challenges related to sustainability, fuel consumption, and safety, as these are universal concerns in the transportation industry. While some issues may be more pronounced in certain types of fleets than others, these common challenges make it essential for fleet managers to stay informed about industry best practices and implement solutions that can help overcome these issues. Here are three common issues every fleet faces:

• Fuel Consumption
• Sustainability
• Safety
  
  

Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption is a significant concern for fleet managers, as it directly impacts their bottom line. With fuel prices fluctuating, fuel costs can account for a substantial portion of a fleet's expenses. Fleet managers need to address fuel consumption to optimize costs and maintain profitability. Inefficient fuel consumption not only wastes fuel but also increases vehicle emissions, which can result in additional environmental and regulatory costs. Fuel-efficient driving practices and vehicle maintenance can help reduce fuel consumption, as can the use of fleet technologies that calibrate fleet vehicle engines to operate more efficiently. By addressing fuel consumption, fleet managers can reduce costs, lower emissions, and enhance their fleet's overall sustainability.

Sustainability

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for fleet managers as companies aim to reduce their environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements. Fleet managers need to address sustainability to remain competitive and reduce the overall carbon footprint of their operations. Inefficient fuel consumption and unsustainable driving practices can contribute to a fleet's negative environmental impact. By addressing sustainability concerns, fleet managers can meet regulatory requirements, reduce costs associated with fuel and waste, and enhance their company's overall reputation as an environmentally conscious organization.

Safety

Driver safety is a crucial issue for fleet managers as the safety of their drivers is paramount to the success of their operations. Ensuring driver safety is important not only to protect the driver but also to reduce the risk of accidents, which can result in costly insurance claims, legal issues, and damage to the company's reputation. Fleet managers need to address driver safety by providing their drivers with proper training, ensuring they follow safe driving practices, and implementing fleet technology that reduces the chances of speeding-related collisions happening. By addressing driver safety concerns, fleet managers can protect their drivers, reduce accidents, and enhance their company's overall reputation as a responsible and safe operator.

How Fleet Management Software Solves These Issues

One technology option that can solve fleet management's issues of fuel consumption, sustainability and safety is fleet management software. A software platform like DeriveVQ can reduce fuel wasted from engine idling, speeding, and aggressive driving habits. That reduced fuel waste can lead to a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable fleet. DeriveVQ also features a speed governor, which can improve driver safety by reducing the chances of speeding-related accidents. Here's how:

Idle Reduction

Lowering the RPM at which engines idle can be a cost-saving measure for fleet managers. With DeriveVQ, fleet managers can reduce a vehicle's idle levels by up to 30%, resulting in significant fuel savings and increased overall miles per gallon. By lowering idle levels, fleet managers can reduce fuel costs and minimize their environmental impact, resulting in a more sustainable operation.

Eco-Adjustment

The Eco-Adjustment feature of DeriveVQ takes most of the burden of managing fuel economy out of the drivers' hands. By calibrating the vehicle's computer, it adjusts the shift points and torque settings to optimize fuel efficiency, reduce vehicle wear and tear, and provide a smoother driving experience. With this feature, fleet managers can ensure that their vehicles are operating at maximum fuel efficiency without relying solely on the driver's driving habits.

Speed Governor

With DeriveVQ software, a speed governor can be added to restrict a vehicle's maximum speed to the limit set by the fleet policy. Allowing the vehicle to manage driving speed eliminates the possibility of drivers driving too fast, which can endanger themselves and others, and lead to costly accidents. This ensures drivers are no longer in a position where their driving habits can affect their safety or the company's bottom line. With the implementation of this software, fleets can improve safety, reduce the risk of accidents, and save fuel.

Talk to an expert at DeriveVQ and learn how it can improve your fleet management.