Category: Fleet Management

How to Optimize Your Fleet Operations with Reports

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

Use a data-driven approach to optimize your fleet operations with reports. The reports generated by fleet management software are based on various metrics that help you measure your fleet performance. Analyzing the reports will help improve your fleet performance.

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Let’s take a look at the different reports, and how you can optimize your fleet operations using these reports. But first, let’s check out the basic points to consider while setting up a reporting system in a fleet management software.

Develop an Effective Reporting System

There’s a fine line between essential information and information overload. When the fleet managers get too much information from the software, they will be confused about how to optimize the operations.

Read Also: How to Manage Fleet Downtime with Fleet Management

That’s why it is essential to develop an effective reporting system that will provide the essential data. Consider the following points while setting up a reporting system in your fleet management software:

  • What kind of information should be gathered by the reports?
  • What is the frequency of generating reports?
  • Who should have access to the reports?
  • Is there any specific information requested by the senior management?
  • Should the reports be one-time or long-term?
  • What areas of operations do the reports cover?
  • Can the data from one report be used for another report?
  • Do you need reports for inventory management?
  • Will the reports help track compliance?

These questions will help you decide on the essential reports needed to get an overview and in-depth information about your fleet.

Reports and the Information They Provide

Let’s take a look at the basic reports that a fleet management software generates and how you can use that data to optimize your fleet operations.

Trip Assigned and Trip Completed Reports

Report Data: These reports will have the details of the trips that you’ve assigned to each driver and the status of the trips.

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Report Analysis: A comparative analysis of these two reports will help you monitor driver performance and productivity. In case the trip is not completed, then the fleet manager needs to find out the valid reasons for the incomplete trip.

If it is because of a repair or accident, then immediate action needs to be taken. Also, the fleet manager needs to check and update the preventive maintenance program. If the incomplete status is because of traffic or reroutes, then the situation needs to be checked to arrange an alternate solution.

The trip assigned report will give you the fleet availability rate. You will know how many vehicles are on-road and how many not in use. Fleet managers should try to maintain an availability rate of about 95% at any point in time with a 5% backup for emergencies.

Expense Report

Report Data: This comprehensive report will give fleet managers an overall view of the expenses incurred. The report will have details of expenses related to regular service and maintenance, fuel and spare parts. You can also have individual reports for

  • Total fuel costs/fuel costs per trip
  • The average mileage of the vehicle
  • Service charges
  • Cost of a replacement vehicle in case of original vehicle downtime
  • Driver expenses

Report Analysis: The comprehensive report will let you know if the fleet management expenses are within the budget. It will also be useful when the fleet managers are presenting data to the higherups. Individual reports of fuel expenses, replacement parts, and such will help keep a close eye on these expenses.

They can also help avert fuel theft and replacement part thefts. Comparing the fuel usage based on the vehicle type to the route details will help identify if there are any detours in the route.

Inspection and Maintenance Reports

Report Data: These reports will give you data when and who did the vehicle inspection. It will also give you details of when the vehicle maintenance and the services were done.

Read Also: Advanced Fleet Management: What Is It?

Report Analysis: Analysing these reports will give you a heads-up on the vehicle maintenance schedule, which can help you in assigning the vehicles.

Vehicle inspections help you identify minor problems before they blow up into huge issues, leading to more vehicle downtime and operational losses. You can also use the maintenance reports to prepare a preventive maintenance program and schedule the services.

Vehicle Running Report

Report Data: This report will give you the day-to-day breakup of the vehicle movement. It will give you data like total running time, distance travelled, driver details, and idling time. You can have this report generated daily, weekly, and monthly based on your requirements.

Report Analysis: Analysing the daily report will help you easily find if there are any inconsistencies in the route,  fuel usage, or vehicle performance. The weekly and monthly reports will help you gauge the vehicle’s overall performance.

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Fleet managers will find the monthly reports useful while presenting fleet maintenance reports to higher management. This report also helps in efficient fuel management as it can help optimize the route and vehicle performance.

Distance Travelled Report

Report Data: This report will give you details of the distance travelled on each trip by each vehicle in your fleet.

Report Analysis: You can compare the optimized route planned with the distance travelled to check if there are any discrepancies. It will help weed out any possible malpractice right at the early stages. The distance travelled report will also help in scheduling maintenance that needs to be done after every 5k or 10k kilometers.

Safe Driver Ranking Report

Report Data: This self-ranking report gives an accurate overview of a driver’s performance and their driving behaviour.

Report Analysis: The reports will help you check if the drivers follow traffic regulations, drive within the stipulated speed, and practice safe driving. This report can also be compared with any complaints received about driver behaviour to evaluate their performance.

Action can be taken against drivers who drive rashly or behave badly with the passengers. On the other side, fleet managers can reward and encourage drivers who have a good track record.

Calendar and Duty Roaster

Report Data: Fleet managers can use this roaster to get an overview of the available vehicles and drivers. It will also give details about the shift hours, duty days and leave days of the drivers.

Report Analysis: This roaster cum report helps fleet managers manage the operations of the entire fleet. They will have a clear picture of the engaged and available drivers, which will help in trip allocation. The shift hours will help check if the drivers are working overtime.

If the drivers are putting in too many hours of overtime, then they can get physically and mentally fatigued. It could lead to accidents. So, fleet managers need to keep an eye on the hours of duty of each driver to ensure they have the proper work-rest balance. The dashboard will also allow fleet managers to assign drivers and vehicles for sudden unplanned trips or emergencies.

Predictive Maintenance Reports

Report Data: The predictive maintenance reports will help fleet managers schedule reports based on the vehicle type, manufacturer service plan and driver inputs.

Report Analysis: This report will be very helpful in maintaining fleet performance. Fleet managers can assign vehicles based on the preventive maintenance schedule. So, the vehicle’s downtime will also be greatly reduced.

Read Also: Top 10 Benefits of Mobile Apps in Fleet Management

Proper maintenance at the right time will also help enhance the vehicle’s life and performance. Predictive maintenance also helps reduce operational costs and expenses incurred due to vehicle repairs and replacements.

Compliance Reports

Report Data: The compliance report will have all data regarding a vehicle’s compliance and statutory regulations. Details of when the vehicle was purchased, its registration, and FC will all be available in the report.

Report Analysis: Fleet managers will find this report useful while checking if all the vehicles meet the compliance set by the government. If the vehicles don’t meet the regulations, then there could be hefty fines.

Also, the vehicle may have to be removed from the fleet until the issue is resolved. This will further cause more operational losses. Therefore, this report will help fleet managers prevent such problems.

Conclusion

The reports that a cab service provider will need are different from the ones that a school bus fleet needs. Therefore, it is important to have automated tracking reports that are customized to your business requirements.

Reports not only help manage and monitor the fleet but also reduce vehicle downtime and operational costs. If you are interested in setting up a fleet management system with a customized reporting system, contact us now.

How to Manage Fleet Downtime with Fleet Management

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

One of the major worries of fleet managers is Fleet downtime. The period when a vehicle is not available for use is defined as vehicle downtime. The reasons for downtime can be vehicle repair, service, or an accident. Weather conditions and traffic congestions may cause the vehicle to be stranded and out of the road.

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Sometimes, you may have to pull a vehicle out of the road because of driver issues. Conditions like weather, accident and traffic cannot be controlled. But we can proactively plan to minimize downtime loss caused due to these reasons.

Preventive maintenance and service can help reduce downtime caused due to vehicle conditions. In this blog, we will discuss the costs incurred due to fleet downtime and how an effective fleet management system can help deal with downtime.

Costs Incurred Due to Fleet Downtime

On average, the costs of fleet downtime can be anywhere between Rs 2000 and Rs 20,000 per day depending on the type of business. If you have a car rental business, then the cost of vehicle downtime will be even higher as you will not get your day’s or week’s rental income. The other costs that you may incur because of vehicle downtime are:

  • Cost to rent a replacement vehicle
  • Loss of revenue because of missed appointments
  • Salary of the driver of the unused vehicle
  • Late penalties
  • Cost of replacement parts
  • Extra payment for premium services and repairs
  • If transporting goods, extra manpower to transfer goods from damaged vehicle to replacement vehicles
  • Delay in deliveries

How you can Minimise Downtime with a Fleet Management Software?

Fleet management software offers a convenient solution to manage the entire fleet and even automate repetitive tasks. The software can be customised based on your business model and requirements.

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This application can also help identify possible causes of fleet downtime to address them in the early stages itself. Let’s explore the different ways in which fleet management software can help minimise downtime and improve fleet productivity.

Preventive Maintenance Program

Regular service is very important to maintain good vehicle health. The fleet management software keeps track of the maintenance checks of each vehicle in your fleet. It also sends notifications to remind you of the regular maintenance and services.

Read Also: Importance of Predictive Analysis in Fleet Management

The system can also be configured to send notifications once the vehicle has travelled 3000 to 5000 kilometres. The fleet manager can check the distanced travelled on the dashboard or check the notifications and send the vehicle for service.

Address Serious Vehicle Issues Immediately

There’s an old proverb that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” A lot of money and time can be saved if minor repairs are tackled immediately.

If small issues are not immediately checked, they can cumulate to become a huge problem, which can keep the vehicle off the road for days. You can use the software to create a form that allows the driver to submit details that the driver feels are not “ok” with the vehicle.

For example, wheel alignment needs to be done or that the brakes need to be checked. The fleet manager should take these forms seriously and address the issues immediately. Checking and repairing these small issues will just need a few hours. If left unchecked, they could lead to an accident or long downtime.

Replace Fleet Vehicles after a few years/set number of kilometers

To get the best productivity from your fleet, you need to maintain the vehicles in prime condition. If the vehicle has travelled a few lakh kilometers, then it is time to “retire” the vehicle and bring in a new vehicle.

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It is because as vehicles get old, they may not be able to meet the strenuous demands of your business. And may need service and maintenance more often. The software will have details of when you purchased the vehicle and the number of FCs that was done. It will help you evaluate the age and performance of the vehicles in your fleet.

Check Replacement Parts

When you’re getting replacement parts for the vehicles, it is vital to check if they are genuine. You will be paying good money for the spare parts, so make sure they are of quality. Poor quality spare parts not only drain your money but can also lead to vehicle problems in the future.

You can monitor the replacement parts using the software tool. It will help you maintain details of the spare parts you purchased, which vehicle they were used for and when it was purchased.

All this information will help you monitor the expenses involved in replacement parts. It will also give you an estimated date when the oil, tires, brake shoe, and other parts need to be replaced.

Use the Right Vehicle for the Job

To ensure optimum fleet productivity, you need the right vehicle for the job. When you do your basic research while building the fleet, consider vehicle lifetime, maintenance, gross vehicle weight (GVW) and payload that is required for the job.

Also, the vehicle you choose should depend on the terrain, location and purpose. If you’re getting a vehicle for school or college trips, then it should fairly have a good amount of seating as well as safety features.

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

On the other hand, class and comfort will be the top priority when you’re looking to add vehicles to your luxury car rental service. With the right kind of vehicles, you can get more out of your fleet.

Track Driver Behaviour

One of the reasons for vehicle downtime is driver behaviour. If the driver is prone to rash driving and is inconsistent at work, your vehicle may be off-road more than on road.

The fleet management software helps you monitor driver behaviour based on various criteria like drive time, vehicle repairs, number of accidents, and reports from others. If a driver is not regular to work, then you may have to pull the vehicle out till you arrange for a replacement vehicle or driver.

It can cause an additional burden and cost on your fleet management. Using the software, track driver behaviour. You can reward good and consistent drivers and remove drivers who are causing more vehicle downtime.

Data Analytics to Track Fleet Productivity

The fleet management system maintains all fleet data, from the number of kilometers travelled and route to number of services and replacements. The fleet manager can analyse all the data to find the vehicles /drivers that are most productive and those that are the least.

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Data analysis can help find the reason for vehicle downtime and also to build an effective fleet management strategy.

Make Staff Accountable

Motivate drivers to be accountable for their vehicles. It would also help if you have a reward system that will encourage the drivers to take good care of their vehicles and minimise downtime. When the drivers are satisfied with their work environment, they are more likely to perform better.

This in turn will help improve your fleet productivity. You can set up a dashboard that lists drivers who made on-time deliveries or drove one whole month without even one accident. These little gestures can help boost morale and prevent downtime because of driver issues.

Proper Pre and Post Trip Vehicle Inspections

It is important to maintain Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports and route vehicle inspection reports. The fleet manager or a mechanic can do a complete check-up of the vehicle before and after a long haul.

This inspection can help identify services and repairs needed. If you have a fleet where the vehicles travel within the city but round the clock, then schedule weekly inspections. Update all the information in the database for reference and further action.

Read Also: What is fleet management – All you need to know

The fleet manager can do a periodical evaluation of all the inspections to check if all the vehicles are in proper working condition.

Surprise Field Inspections

Apart from regular inspections, services, and maintenances, it also helps to do surprise field inspections. It will help catch any unexpected problems or reasons for downtime right in the early stages itself.

Conclusion

It is not possible to completely stop vehicle downtime. But with proper planning and effective use of a fleet management system, you can reduce the expenses and issues caused due to fleet downtime.

The software lets you effectively manage your fleet and improve fleet productivity. Whether you offer corporate transportation solutions or have a cab rental service, our fleet management system can help increase vehicle uptime. Contact us for more details.

Advanced Fleet Management: What Is It?

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

Fleet safety and transportation are two major factors that companies need to always keep in mind while planning business operations. This becomes even more important in companies that have multiple shifts, especially odd-hour shifts.

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If the number of trips is less, then the vehicle management can be done manually. However, when the number of trips and shifts are high, it is better to use advanced fleet management software.

What is Advanced fleet management?

A fleet consists of more than 3 or 4 vehicles. Fleet management involves managing all these vehicles, planning the routes, and organizing pick up and drop points. While managing the routes and the timings, the shift timings should also be considered.

Read Also: 5 Essential Safety Tips For Fleet Drivers

Fleet management includes organizing routes, grouping based on locations and shift timings, monitoring driver behavior and maintaining the vehicles. Fleet managers can keep track of all this information manually or using a software application.

How does Advanced fleet management software work?

A tracking unit with GPS is installed in the vehicle will collect data by the tracker and transmit it to a Cloud server. The data in the Cloud server can be checked by a system that has access to the server. In many cases, the GPS tracker in the vehicle will have an internal “Black box” that will store all the data if the vehicle is out of network coverage.

Once the vehicle moves into a location that has network coverage, the data starts transmitting. On the user end, there will be an application dashboard. The layout and depth of information displayed on the dashboard depending on the software application.

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When you get a fleet management software, you will need to create an account for your company and add details regarding the vehicles and drivers. Then, you need to add the shift and trip details. Finally, upload employee details with location, pickup, and drop points. The software application will give you an option to create multiple trips based on shifts.

So, once you install the application and upload the details, you don’t need to do much. Also, if there any changes in the shift details, pickup or drop points, the details need to be updated. The software application takes care of all the other particulars

Features of an Advanced Fleet Management Software

Dashboard

The user side of the fleet management application will have a dashboard where you can view all the information. The admin dashboard will give you all the details as well as the report. The driver console dashboard will have details of the trip, route, pickup time, and route.

Reports

The top feature of a fleet management software is the detailed reports of each trip. You can easily track the names of employees who traveled in a particular vehicle, route, driver details, as well as the time of start and trip end.

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

The app generates such reports for every trip. You will know the details of the employees traveling in a vehicle and the driver details. The app also generates other kinds of reports such as employee attendance, distance traveled, fuel consumption, trip time, and more. You can even keep track of the vehicle service and repair through the reports. The app will also give you an option to customize the report based on your preferences and priorities.

Geofencing

You can install geofencing in all the vehicles in the fleet. So, if the vehicle travels out of the “virtual fence,” you will immediately get notification about the same. You can create the geofence based on the trip route. So, if the vehicle goes outside the predetermined route, you will immediately be notified. Geofencing enhances the safety of your assets. It also helps you track fuel consumption.

Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics

One of the top expenses in fleet management is vehicle maintenance. If you’ve been manually keeping track of the vehicle services and reports, then you will know how difficult and time consuming the task is. With transport management software, you will have an integrated view of all the maintenance reports of all the vehicles.

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You can even have the app send you notifications when it’s time for the next service. It can also update you about the spare parts purchased. The clear details will help fleet managers manage the service and maintenance without much hassle.

Lifecycle management

The transport management software helps in vehicle lifecycle management, from procurement to disposal. You can also keep track of loans, repayment, regular services, spare parts, tire use and more. The app also helps you track fuel usage, accident tracking, and preventive maintenance.

Benefits of Using a Transport Management Software

Compliance

Compliance is one of the most important things in fleet management. But sadly fleet managers are so focussed on the daily maintenance that they may let compliance tests and checks slip by. The software will notify if there are any issues in compliance rules or if it’s time for a license or registration renewal and more.

Safety

The fleet management software helps you keep track of the vehicle movement. From the vehicle they travel into the time they were dropped off, the app will have all the details.

Read Also: What Are The Benefits of Fleet Management Software?

So, in case of any emergency, you can easily track the vehicle and do the needful immediately. Also, all driver details will be on the app. So, you can also check for driver behaviour and ensure that the assets are safe.

Driver Identification & Behaviour

One of the advantages of using a fleet management software is that you can have a clear record of the driver details. You can track driver behaviour, accidents, complaints against the driver, and other factors.

Based on all the data, you can evaluate the driver’s performance. If the driver has a track record of over speeding, bad language usage, or improper behaviour, you can take action. Plus, you will have all the records you need to justify your action.

Mobility

Fleet management software is mobile accessible. So, it convenient for drivers to check details of the route, pick up and drop timings and other details right on their phone.

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The app will also have different dashboards for drivers, and management. you can check the app to see the details of the vehicle, pickup point and pickup time.

Cost-Effective

Fleet management software helps reduce unnecessary expenses. The route optimization feature helps you create the best route based on traffic conditions and pickup points. Also, preventive maintenance helps avert unnecessary repairs and services.

Fuel Efficiency

You can improve the fuel efficiency of all the vehicles in your fleet by using this management software. First, the route optimization feature reduces dry runs and overlapping routes. Secondly, the app gives updated pickup time notifications. So, vehicle idling time is reduced, which further reduces fuel consumption.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to using advanced fleet management software. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution to manage your fleet, contact us right away.

Top 10 Benefits of Mobile Apps in Fleet Management

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

Managing an entire fleet is a hectic task that we need to admit, but with the arrival of mobile solutions, the industry has taken a radical transformation in terms of day to day operations and fleet management.

Studies state that more than 80% of logistics companies have their eyes set on mobile apps after reviewing the market. This proves that mobile apps have become the must-have technology to meet up the market demands and to stay ahead of the competition. This also indicates the significance the mobile apps have to streamline fleet management.

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With the right set of features, the USP provided by a state of the art fleet managing mobile apps can help you turbocharge your day to day fleet operations like never before, be it personnel or vehicle management mobile apps will provide you realtime updates and other details so that you can optimize operations and cut down your cost and maximize productivity

It is been found that 50% of vehicles owned by non – private organizations are trying to shift to fleet management technologies because of their immense features like real-time report generation, data storing, etc.

Fleets integrated with mobile solutions tend to run their business in a more enhanced and systematic way. Mobile applications add more efficiency & values to the functionalities of fleet operators

Read Also: Telematics For Fleet Management – All You Need to Know

With prime mobile adaptive technologies, fleet managers can identify mileage reports, trip details, vehicle location and other vital information that will benefit their business in a streamlined manner, which will eventually improve your business productivity and the longevity of the vehicles.

Over the coming years, mobile usage in fleet management will increase exponentially and it will aid the next generation with instant connectivity & internet. Eventually, fleet managers will have to be inclined to use mobile-based apps to effectively manage fleet operations.

Here are the Top 10 Benefits of Mobile Apps in Fleet Management

Know where your fleet is 24×7: Using Mobile Apps fleet managers can track their vehicles and identify their vehicle status all in real-time

Automated Data: Telematics systems provide real-time in-depth automated reports so that you can understand how well that you are utilizing your tracking system

Higher Data Credibility: Mobile solutions minimize the chances of errors and process accurate information, the data obtained from the solution will help fleet operators to streamline their operations much effectively.

Enhanced Transparency: Mobile apps are designed to improve transparency so that fleet managers can understand their fleet much clearly, they can obtain detailed financial and personnel information with just a click of a button

Fully Optimized: The system optimizes the daily trips by utilizing inbuilt AI so that it can align multiple pickup points onto a single shortest route possible

Quick Response in Emergencies: Mobile-based solutions will receive real-time alerts on unfortunate incidents to the vehicle, this way fleet operators can be better equipped to make necessary arrangements for the casualty

Digital Documentation: Information like trip details, delivery time, driving hours and other details can be obtained without the involvement of paper and can be accessed anywhere at any time via the apps

Real-Time Notifications: The mobile solution will receive real-time notifications about route change or any other important issue so that drivers and operators can make changes appropriately

In-Touch with drivers 24×7: Drivers and operators can stay interconnected and keep their transparency up to date via the apps and identify even the minute variation in the trip chart on real-time

Convenient: Mobile apps ease the hassles of carrying around documents and other items because drivers can access any type of documentation regarding the trip by just a few scrolls on the mobile device

Last Mile Carrier Tracking – Why It Matters?

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

In today’s world, both B2C and B2B customers expect quick and accurate shipping and on-time delivery. For them, delivery speed is more important than free shipping. Surveys indicate that 54% of customers wouldn’t mind paying if same-day shipping can be organized by companies. Further, 97% of customers expect shipping updates and input for order tracking as soon as they buy the products online.

This means that customers want full visibility as regards the movement of their package. Logistics and fleet management companies are making use of technology to meet these expectations of customers, especially the final leg of product delivery. In this post, we will discuss as to why last-mile carrier tracking is important

Last Mile Carrier Tracking – What Is It

It involves two different aspects. As far as customers are concerned, it gives them not only insights but also complete visibility into the movement of the goods ordered by them. When it comes to the carriers, last-mile tracking gives them a holistic view as regards package delivery. This empowers them to take a customer-centric approach to their services.

Read Also: Driving Rules in UAE – All You Need To Know

The last-mile delivery process is all about transporting packages from a hub and delivering them at the destination quickly and in a cost-effective manner. The last mile carrier is a shipping company that handles transportation.

FedEx, USPS, and UPS are all last mile carriers and they are also referred to as “delivery service providers”. Such companies also include regional courier service providers. They are responsible for completing the final lap of delivery and, therefore, they constantly look for ways and means to hasten the process and improve their efficiencies.

The last Mile Carrier Tracking – Helps Meet Customer Expectations

Today’s technology-savvy customers are well equipped to research companies, go through reviews online, and identify carriers that offer the lowest shipping costs before making a purchase.

This is what drives logistic businesses to strive and provide exceptional delivery experiences to their customers. Only then, they will be able to not attract and acquire more clients but also retain their existing customers.

Moreover, the expectations of customers have gone up. They want information in real-time about their order. They want to track and speak to the driver, know the estimated time of arrival of their package (ETA), and be able to rate their experience.

These customer expectations are just not limited to e-commerce businesses. They apply to businesses operating in a host of other industries as well.

It is to cater to the needs of logistics businesses that technology companies have come up with the last mile carrier tracking solutions. They provide customers with all of the information they want concerning the last-mile delivery service. The last mile tracking solution provides the following information:

SMS alerts as regards delivery –

The software generates and sends SMS alerts as to when customers can expect delivery. This is followed up with a message confirming that the package is actually on its way/out for delivery.

Ability to communicate with the driver –

It allows customers to call/message the driver just with a tap on their mobile device. In addition to making customers very happy, these features are beneficial to the drivers as well. They can confirm the availability of the customer at the scheduled time at the specified delivery destination.

Real-time tracking through mobile phone on a map –

The software also offers a clean and responsive interface, providing customers with live updates as regards driver location, and accurate ETAs.

Ability to rate their experience –

Software employed for last-mile carrier tracking even allows customers to provide feedback by giving a rating for their experience. This makes them feel empowered as well as heard.

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

All these aspects point towards only one thing. It is nothing but 100 percent visibility. The Last mile carrier tracking software solutions make this happen for customers.

So, the key to developing a logistics strategy that is more focused on customer satisfaction is visibility. Now that we have some understanding as to why last-mile carrier tracking matters to customers, let us take a look at it from a delivery service provider’s point of view.

Benefits to Delivery Service Providers

Logistics companies need to have full visibility of their internal operations in the supply chain, especially that of the last-mile carrier. Visibility requirement when it comes the last mile delivery process are:

Tracking packages right from the time they are put in trucks –

Real-time last mile tracking allows logistics companies to proactively furnish predictive ETAs and provide automatic alerts in the event of unexpected delays.

This way they can keep their customers informed all through the delivery process. This is extremely important in reassuring customers that their items are safe and on their way.

Tracking of orders as well as vehicles in real-time –

As mentioned earlier, customers are interested in knowing where their package is. On the other hand, companies want to be aware of the whereabouts of the last mile truck drivers at all times.

The last mile carrier tracking software enables businesses to know the exact location of the drivers at any point in time. The software allows companies to search using time, text, or status to locate customers, drivers, and delivery tasks. Filtration by time, team, and delivery status is also possible.

Proof of delivery –

The software also enables the collection of proof of delivery from customers through a mobile app. This includes photos, barcodes, signatures, and notes and makes delivery verification a breeze.

In addition, it enables the driver to be held responsible if a package goes missing and helps prevent pilferage and fraudulent claims about non-receipt of a package.

Improvement of customers’ satisfaction level –

Improved visibility and analytics allow logistics companies to assess performance by analyzing key parameters such as success rates, distance traveled, feedback scores, etc.

Performance data can even be segmented in terms of drivers, teams, week, and on a specific hour of the day. This helps businesses to tweak their last-mile package delivery process and improve the satisfaction levels of customers.

Helps Manage Delivery Costs

Insights obtained through analytics help logistics service providers uncover past trends. This enables them to cut operational costs without the need to make drastic changes to their strategies. This is because last mile tracking helps them monitor the routes taken by fleet drivers, identify traffic patterns, assess idle time, and determine the actual driving time.

Read Also: What is fleet management – All you need to know

This data can be used to modify routes and improve efficiencies. This, in turn, cuts down fuel costs and reduces delivery times. As such, last-mile carrier tracking enhances the quality of the delivery process and helps cut costs.

Final Thoughts

Last-mile carrier tracking is not about visibility alone. It helps to speed up delivery operations and reduce operational costs. This, in turn, improves customer satisfaction quotient and profit margins for businesses. This means that last mile carrier tracking presents logistics businesses with an opportunity to create great delivery experiences for their customers.

Increasing Fleet Profitability – How to Get Maximum ROI from Your Telematics System

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

Telematics is an integrated technology that is making waves in logistics and fleet management. This technology can be described as a combination of telecommunication and informatics. In the days gone by, huge fleets of vehicles were manually managed using phone calls, messages, and log books. However, fleet management software applications and telematics have completely changed the way in which logistics are being managed.

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A telematics system includes a GPS-integrated vehicle tracking system, wireless connectivity or satellite connectivity, and a centralised server. This system captures a whole suite of data from the vehicle such as fuel consumption, driving speed, idle time, location, harsh acceleration, braking, vehicle faults, and lots more. 

In short, a telematic system allows you to capture all relevant data about all the vehicles in your fleet. This data can be used for various purposes, from safety tracking and vehicle management to supply chain management.

Read Also: Driving Rules in UAE – All You Need To Know

However, are you making optimum use of your telematics system? Do you have any kind of system in place to track and monitor the performance of the telematics system and calculate the savings it helps you make? After you’ve spent so much time and effort in setting up a telematics system to monitor your fleet, you need to follow the best practices to maximise its ROI.

How to Calculate the ROI on Your Telematics System?

Before we delve into the best practises to improve the ROI of your telematics system, we need to identify parameters to calculate your return on investment. There are four major areas where you can check the effectiveness of the fleet management system.

  • Compliance

Compliance to government and safety regulations is one of the top factors that will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your system. Is the system designed to help you meet all the essential regulations and rules for your industry?

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The system should not only be designed to help you meet the regulations but also notify if there are any issues in any part of the fleet management. It should also help you detect problems and anomalies in advance.

For example, the system should let you know if the load carried by the trucks is within the stipulated levels. It should also notify in advance about vehicle checks and insurance payments. If your system helps you maintain compliance, then you are getting the full value for your investment on the telematics system.

  • Accountability

The telematics system should give you real-time and accurate data, which will help you make better and informed decisions. The GPS navigator should be able to identify the safest and shortest route between destinations.

Similarly, the system should give you precise data related to fuel consumption and distance travelled. The telematics system should also continuously update the location and give you the best ETA. Both these factors are very important not just for fleet management, but also for the supply chain management.

  • Safety

The safety of the drivers and the vehicles in the fleet are important factors to evaluate the performance of the telematics system. Functions such as speed monitoring and vehicle load monitoring can help ensure safety and reduce collisions.

The system can help supervisors monitor the time the drivers have been driving without rest. Based on the drive time and distance, driver shifts can be prepared. This method will help reduce accidents caused because the driver has not had proper sleep or rest.

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  • Efficiency

The telematics system should help in route optimization to reduce fuel consumption and schedule vehicle maintenance based on the distance travelled by the vehicles. The system should also give you accurate data that will help you plan the route and reduce waste of time and resources.

Best Practises to Improve Your Telematic System’s ROI

  • Outline Your Requirements

To get the maximum performance from your telematics system, you need to outline your requirements and set the targets. Do you want to use a telematics system to monitor fuel consumption, optimize route, or ensure better ETA?

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

The telematics system can be configured based on your specific requirements. Else, you would probably pay for a lot of services that you may not be using. So, be clear on the expected outcome before you invest in a telematics system.

  • Run a Pilot Test

Before you implement the telematics system in the entire fleet, use it with a few vehicles. When you try it on pilot vehicles, you will find out the challenges and problems you could face when you implement the telematics system in the entire fleet.

The data collected during the test runs can also help you customize the telematics system based on your specific requirements and needs. It will also help the team understand how to work with the new technology. In case there are any issues with the system, then your loss is also minimal. So, always do a test run before you implement the telematics system in the whole fleet.

  • Train the Driver and Admin Staff

To get the maximum benefit from your telematics system, you need to provide the right training to the driver and the admin staff. They are the ones who are going to be using the system.

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So,  it is important they understand all its features and functions. During the training period, the staff may also come up with challenges you could face while implementing the system in real-time. The training should also include ways in which the staff can communicate with each other to enhance work efficiency.

  • Effectively Manage Data

The telematics system not only offers real-time monitoring and notifications but also collects a lot of data. To get the best ROI from your telematics system, you need to make the most of the data you collect. The system collects different kinds of data such as:

Driver data – driving speed, harsh braking, hard cornering, and such

Vehicle data – load, maintenance, compliance, fuel consumption, location, carbon dioxide emission

Route data – Distance, route details, toll gates on route, ETA

Analysing all this data will help you identify the best routes between destinations and ways in which fuel consumption can be optimized. It will also let you know when the vehicle service was done and notifies you about the next service.

This data will also help you identify well-performing drivers and rash drivers in your team. Based on all the data collected, you can optimize your fleet management. It will also help you meet your SLAs and compliance regulations. 

  • Dispatch Closest Drivers

One of the most efficient solutions for effective fleet management is to reduce unnecessary vehicle movement. You can do this by dispatching the vehicle closest to the pickup point. To do this, you need to have a map of the location of all the vehicles in your fleet, which the fleet management software can give you.

Read Also: What is fleet management – All you need to know

  • Identify Areas of Improvement
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Fleet managers should use the data not just for efficient fleet management, but also for identifying areas of improvement. By carefully analysing the data, you can find ways in which you can optimize routes, plan fleet movement, and also organize staff shifts. By doing so, you will be able to get the maximum ROI from your telematics system.

Conclusion

A telematics system is a must-have for fleet management. The system gives detailed and accurate data that fleet managers can use to optimize their services and improve performance. Outlining the requirements, running a pilot run, training the team, and analysing the data can help you get the maximum return on investment from the telematics system.

Driver Safety Scorecard: Steps to Assess and Improve Your Fleet Operations

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Maintaining and managing a fleet is no easy task. As a fleet manager, you are responsible for the safety of the drivers and the shipment. You should also keep an eye on the operating costs. At the same time, you need to ensure that the processes meet the compliance requirements.

A fleet management system can help you track and monitor the entire process, from pickup to delivery. You can use this software application to optimize your performance and reduce unnecessary expenses. Even if you work out many solutions to reduce the operational costs and enhance the performance, you will not get reliable results, if drivers don’t drive safely.

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Unsafe driving costs not just in terms of money, but also in terms of time and effort. It can also result in non-compliance, which can be an even bigger problem. Did you know that in the United States, employers collectively spend more than $60 million because of vehicle crashes?

If you don’t want your company to make such unnecessary expenses, you need to focus on safe driving. Also, following safe driving practices can help improve your fleet operations.

How Much Will Unsafe Driving Cost You?

The direct costs of unsafe driving include medical expenses, cost of the shipment, and the cost to repair vehicle damage. Apart from this, you may also need to send another backup vehicle to transport the rescued shipment. The employer will also need to spend on worker’s compensation, social security, and disability insurance if required.

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Apart from the direct costs, the company will also have other expenses. Rescheduling the shipment and making other arrangements can be very costly. More so, if you have an agreement regarding the timeline of the shipment.

Losing one vehicle in the fleet means that the schedule for the other vehicles needs to rearranged based on the shipment priorities. A new driver needs to be appointed or other drivers may have to work overtime, both of which become additional expenses for the company. A new driver may also not be able to start work immediately as he needs to undergo training.

The other costs that the company may incur include administrative costs such as documentation, reporting, insurance management, and such as well as accident investigation costs. The fleet manager and the supervisor will need to work overtime dealing with the accident and its outcomes.

So, unsafe driving can lead to many other related problems, which can eat into your company’s earnings. Plus, it could also cause bad publicity leading to negative branding. No matter how you look at it, a small vehicle accident due to unsafe driving can lead to a lot of issues not just in fleet management, but also for the entire company.

Driver Safety Scorecard helps fleet managers and company owners get detailed insights about every driver’s driving practices. If you have a telematics system to monitor and manage your fleet, then you can easily build a Driver’s scorecard based on the data obtained from the system.

What Factors are Evaluated in a Driver’s Scorecard?

A driver’s scorecard needs to focus on four major factors – aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seatbelt usage. Aggressive driving and distracted driving may overlap during certain times. If the driver had been distracted due to some reason, he may then start driving aggressively to make up for the lost time.

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Actions such as rude behaviour, frequent braking, passing in the shoulder lane, and erratic speeding may be constructed as aggressive driving. If the driver is not focusing on the road and veering into other lanes or doesn’t stop for traffic lights, it can be marked as distracted driving. Sometimes, the driver may not concentrate and ram into the vehicle in the front or slow down suddenly that the vehicle at the back hits this vehicle.

Turning off without switching on the indicators can be because of distracted as well as aggressive driving.

It is mandatory for drivers to wear a seat belt while driving. Most vehicles have a system that will automatically sound an alarm if the driver is not wearing a seat belt. Advanced telematics systems will also monitor seatbelt usage and send notifications if the driver is not wearing the seatbelt while driving.

One of the major causes of roadway accidents is over speeding. You can customise the telematics system by including the maximum speed limit of the vehicle. When the vehicle travels faster than the set speed limit, the concerned supervisors will be immediately notified. Another method is to fix speed limiters in the vehicle so that it will not be able to go faster than the stipulated speed limit.

All the factors are assigned points, which are then calculated to get a score for the driver’s performance. In some cases, points are assigned differently for driving before 6 in the morning or after 9 in the evening. As the points pile up against the driver, the fleet manager needs to take preventive action.

How Does the Driver Safety Scorecard Help Improve Fleet Operations?

The Driver Safety Scorecard gives you a clear picture of the performance of the drivers in your fleet.

Identify safe and risky drivers

This scorecard gives you accurate information about the way in which the drivers are driving. Based on data such as speeding, braking, collisions, seat belt usage, and other parameters, you can quantify a driver’s performance. Also, you will have accurate data when you’re preparing a report on the driver’s performance.

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You can have training programs for risky drivers. For distracted drivers, you can have an intervention program to identify the cause of the distraction and do the needful. By doing this, you may be able to convert risky drivers to safe drivers.

Reduce Possible Traffic Violations

The driver’s scorecard will let you know which drivers are more prone to traffic violations. You can intensively monitor those drivers to prevent possible traffic violations.

Reduce Possible Accidents

Another benefit of using the driver scorecard is that it could help reduce possible accidents. Analyse the track record of the driver to identify possible reasons the accidents could have occurred. If the accident was because of aggressive driving, a warning could be given or precautionary action can be taken.

In case the accident was due to over speeding, then speed limiters can be installed in the vehicles that the driver uses. On the other hand, if the accidents were due to distracted driving, then the fleet manager can talk to the driver to understand the reason for distracted driving and do the needful.

Lower Maintenance Costs

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Safe driving reduces the stress on the vehicle, which in turn eases vehicle maintenance. Aggressive driving and long idling time increase the vehicle’s fuel consumption. The scorecard helps fleet managers identify such parameters and do the needful. The telematics system enables fuel optimisation and notifies you when it is time for regular service. All of this will help lower maintenance costs.

Improve Insurance Rates

Many insurance agencies offer up to 25% reduction in associated fees when companies use a telematics system for fleet management. This is because insurance companies have found that there is a nearly 45% reduction in accidents when a telematics system is used. A telematics system plus a driver’s scorecard helps reduce possible traffic violations and accidents and increases fleet safety.

Conclusion

Driver safety is a very important part of fleet management. Ensuring the safety of the driver on the road, in turn, ensures the safety of the vehicle and the shipment. When drivers drive safely, possible accidents and violations are prevented.

Not only do shipments reach the destinations on time, but the business also grows. Therefore, it is very important that fleet managers focus on the driver’s safety. The accurate data obtained from a telematics system can help prepare a driver safety scorecard.

The benefits of using a fleet management system are many. You can ensure your driver’s safety and also enhance the performance of your fleet. Contact us to know more about how our fleet management system can benefit your business.

Productivity Challenges Faced by Fleet Managers

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Fleet managers are entrusted with managing the operations of a fleet efficiently and profitably. Managing a fleet involves the management of a team of personnel who handle various tasks daily to keep the operation running. Constant monitoring of information and personnel is a major productivity challenge faced by the fleet team.

The key factors that affect productivity are time and expenses. An efficient system to curtail and streamline them both will see an increase in productivity. 

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The productivity challenges faced by the fleet managers involve the office team, drivers of the fleet and the customers. Here is a look into the challenges faced in the different aspects of fleet management.

1. Time Spent on Administrative Tasks

Fleet management involves loads of administrative tasks to be done to keep the fleet in operation efficiently and profitably. The tasks are unavoidable but highly time-consuming.

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Providing quotes for new customers, invoicing the existing ones, identifying workers for each task, delegating tasks to them, collating reports sent by the fleet, keeping customers informed, managing expenses are the daily activities that consume time when done manually.

This concentration on daily mundane matters affects the productivity of the fleet managers and their team. This productivity challenge can be mitigated to a large extent by adopting suitable fleet operation software.

This will aid the fleet management in the prompt and easy management of routine operations. The fleet managers can then focus on core business matters.

Read Also: 31 Tips To Hire Best Drivers For Your Fleet

The software will help in a digitized workflow with less paper records to be stored. Searching for records will take less time. The chances of miscommunication and human errors will be very low.

Routing and scheduling of the vehicles, managing vehicle expenses, scheduling vehicle maintenance and vehicle checks can be done efficiently in less time.

Minimizing time is essential as time is directly related to money. The actions and tasks may sound trivial but it does add to costs and costs affect productivity.

2. Fuel costs

Fuel expense is a major productivity challenge for all fleet management. Fuel prices vary with the global conditions, cost of crude oil and the government levies.

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Keeping fuel costs to the minimum is the key to running the operation profitably. This involves tracking fuel consumption, fuel overuse, driver behavior and idling time.

The extensive and winding route the fleet operates on results in the excess use of fuel. The driver’s driving habits also result in extensive fuel consumption. The sudden braking and speeding, and idling of the vehicle cause an increase in fuel consumption.

A fuel optimization software application can create efficient and optimal routes for the vehicles so that they are continuously on the move with the least idle time off the road. Reducing the idle time reduces engine wear and tear and correspondingly the maintenance costs.

The digitized system records, stores and tracks all the data being sent from the vehicles. It enables fleet managers to monitor driver behavior and performance.

3. Vehicle Maintenance Costs

Regular maintenance of the vehicles is required to keep the fleet running smoothly. Routine and preventive maintenance has to be scheduled for every single vehicle in the fleet to prevent breakdowns. Keeping the fleet operating efficiently is a major productivity challenge faced by fleet managers.

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Scheduling maintenance, routine as well as preventive, manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. A maintenance software application will greatly reduce the time required for this activity and will be more accurate. No vehicle will be overlooked.

The maintenance expenses incurred vehicle-wise are tabulated. This will help in deciding whether to refurbish or replace the parts, to retain or discard the vehicle from the fleet.

A decision can be taken on vehicles lying idle in the yard whose insurance and registration expenses are still incurred by the company.

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

The fleet needs to comply with the emission regulations of the regions it operates in. The management has to decide on the composition of the fleet depending on the regulations. They can decide on the purchase of vehicles running on alternative fuels that have less or zero emissions.

The fleet management can decide on what type of vehicle to buy for the fleet and which vehicle can be disposed of based on the data available.

4. Management of Drivers

A key productivity challenge for fleet managers is driver productivity. Driver safety and behavior is of major concern to the fleet managers. Good drivers are an asset to the fleet.

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The costs incurred in maintaining drivers are high. This expense is offset by their behavior on road and safe driving skills.

Driver safety programs have to be conducted periodically to keep the drivers abreast of the traffic regulations and road rules.  They should be educated on good driving habits.

Excessive speeding, accelerating, sudden braking are actions that are detrimental to the vehicle and are hazardous to the traffic on the road. Idling of the vehicle is another common action that results in excess fuel consumption. It affects the operation of the engine. The drivers have to be briefed on how to keep costs down.

Periodic assessment through software applications can help monitor driver behavior. This data helps the management in taking decisions as to whether to retain or retrench the driver. Rewarding good performers monetarily or otherwise will help increase driver productivity.

5. Communication

Communication with the fleet team and drivers is another productivity challenge faced by the management. Miscommunication with the fleet drivers often results in loss of time and additional cost. 

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Communicating with drivers on the road can be difficult. Fleet managers spend hours trying to reach drivers on the road and the other members of the fleet team. This is a waste of time which could otherwise be used productively.

Communication software helps in relaying messages and orders to the drivers with clarity. Messages are sent directly from the vehicle to the managers regarding their on-road status and expected time of arrivals without distracting the driver.

These regular updates keep the management in touch with the field team. Response time to unexpected events is quick avoiding the occurrence of major catastrophes.

Prompt communication is certainly a time and money saver, the two main factors influencing greater productivity.

6. Inability to Deliver

The fleet managers often complain of their inability to adhere to delivery schedules which impacts their business negatively. The inaccurate estimation of delivery times and erratic delivery of goods causes customer dissatisfaction. This causes undue frustration to the fleet management and discord in their relationship with the customer.

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The customer requires to know the exact time frame within which the goods can be delivered and the exact date of delivery. A digitized software application monitors and provides the customer with the required information with great clarity and accuracy.

Read Also: Top 5 Tips to Increase Efficiency of Your Fleet

Fleet managers can provide a precise time of delivery to the customers. Any change or delays can be communicated quickly and with ease.

This automated system will help to reduce logistics costs. It reduces the time spent by management on trivial issues thus freeing them up to focus on greater aspects of customer service. An efficient fleet management program alleviates the management team, drivers and customers from a lot of stress.

Conclusion

Fleet management has to be on their toes as the operating environment is volatile and fast-changing and is a productivity challenge.

Eliminating manual administration and data entry system, instituting safety training for drivers and depending on unreliable data while reducing expenses are the basics which have to be focused on to keep the fleet operations profitable and productive.

Top 15 Trends in Commercial Fleet Management

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Fleet management is the function of companies depending on transportation for their business to organise and coordinate their vehicles to improve efficiency, reduce costs, provide better services, reduce risks associated with vehicles, all while having 100% compliance with the government regulations.

With the emergence of e-commerce, the efficiency of fleet management has become all the more important. Even though the concept of fleet management has been around for a very long time, new technology has made it more simple and organised.

Read Also: How To Start a Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management Business

Managers have found ways to use the technology to their greatest advantage thus making them the top trends in commercial fleet management.

The main objectives of commercial fleet management are:

  • Efficiency
  • Minimisation of operational cost
  • Maintain vehicles
  • Increase safety
  • Coordination

Improvement in technology available to fleet managers makes all this possible as long as they know what technology is best suited for their operations and how to derive the most benefit out of it.

Some of the top trends in commercial fleet management are as follows:

1. Increased Use of Telematics

Telematics has become the basis of modern-day fleet management. It is a combination of telecommunications and informatics that managers use to monitor their vehicles using GPS and other navigation systems.

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Any information about your vehicle is available in real-time. Insight into the driving pattern and behaviour of the driver, engine maintenance, spare part inventory, fuel economy, estimated arrival time, etc. can all be obtained through telematics.

With the help of this technology, the cost of operation is reduced as fleets are being managed more efficiently and vehicles are utilized optimally.

2. More Reliance on Data

The trend of using data in fleet management has been around for several years now and it is growing more prominent every year. Managers collect data points, analyse trends and make well-informed decisions.

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This allows fleet managers to take a proactive approach towards their operations. Data gives them an insight into things like the best routes to take, what time to take those routes, predictive maintenance analysis, driver behaviour, climatic conditions, etc.

3.Autonomous Truck Technology

Autonomous trucks or self-driving trucks are the newest trends in commercial fleet management. It has gained a lot of attention in the past few months.

Instruction on how to use autonomous vehicles and details about these vehicles can be obtained by contacting popular technology companies like Tesla and Waymo. Many fleet management companies are planning to include more autonomous trucks in their fleets.

Latest car technologies like vehicle to vehicle communication and forward collision avoidance algorithm systems can help improve road safety. Even though there are still some safety concerns regarding autonomous vehicles, it is already being advertised as a safer alternative to traditional driving.

4. Video Analytics

Video analytics helps in monitoring the behaviour and health of truck drivers in order to reduce accidents. Unnecessary fuel consumption can also be minimised. It is one of the most popular trends in commercial fleet management and logistics industry now.

To install video analytics, onboard computers with 4G and GPS, Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, accelerometer and visual analytics software is required.

5. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, more commonly referred to as ADAS, are artificial intelligence-based systems that are installed inside vehicles to assist the driver in a variety of ways.

Read Also: Telematics For Fleet Management – All You Need to Know

These systems can identify different environmental conditions and driver behaviour and make necessary adjustments to ensure safety. It can also help drivers adjust to different traffic signs; avoid pedestrians, obstacles and other dangers.

6. Dash Cam Monitoring

Most of the accidents on the roads happen due to distracted drivers who are either using their phones, eating something, talking to passengers or even dozing off. Dashcams (dashboard camera) are used to monitor drivers so that such distracted behaviour does not occur.

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A single accident can cause a huge loss to a fleet management company in the form of loss of reputation, compensation, insurance and other legal costs. The presence of dash cams in vehicles makes drivers more responsible and in a great way help in the safety of everyone on the road.

7. Predictive Maintenance System through IoT

Telematics has helped managers to maintain their vehicles proactively but with the emergence of IoT, predictive maintenance is taken to a whole new level.

Things that are not noticed externally like when the components of the vehicle is overheated or when the engine is likely to fail are sensed by the IoT sensors and drivers are alerted about it.

Regular services of the vehicle and fixing problems before the entire thing fail reduce operation costs and helps the vehicle last longer in its best conditions. The cost of replacement of vehicles in case one fails is also no there. 

8. Employee Recruitment and Retention

Hiring and retaining skilled workers is a huge task for fleet management companies especially since the labour supply has reduced.

There is a huge demand for workers with necessary skills and since they are very rarely available, companies make big offers to attract them, putting smaller companies at a huge disadvantage. Talent is taken away by the bigger companies by providing attractive incentives such as signing bonuses, performance bonuses and professional development training.

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Retaining employees is also another important task for them and for that the employees have to feel involved and there should be a certain level of transparency in the management to build loyalty.

9. Transition to Synthetic Motor Oils

The use of synthetic motor oil in place of traditional mineral-based motor oil is increasing as synthetic motor oil has fewer impurities and robust additives making it last longer.

It does not break down as fast as mineral-based motor oils and retains its viscosity for a longer period. Synthetic motor oils help to reduce tailpipe emissions and maintain corporate average fuel economy standards.

Synthetic oils allow increasing the gap between predictive maintenance intervals. Even though the cost of the oil is higher, a transition to it reduces the maintenance costs of the vehicle.

 10. Focus on Risk and Safety

One of the major concerns nowadays is the safety of fleets and avoidance of risk. Fleet managers everywhere are focusing more on safety precautions so that their vehicles and drivers, other vehicles on the road and the pedestrians are always safe.

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This is a major concern and great emphasis is put on hiring competent drivers who will abide by the company regulations and observe safety procedures.

 11. Use of Electric Vehicles

More and more fleet managers are now showing interest in electric vehicles for their fleets. Plans for adopting electric vehicles are slowly gaining momentum.

Electric vehicles are better for the environment as it reduces carbon emission. Fleet managers are getting interested in electric vehicles because of the elimination of fuel costs and a decrease in repairs.

Electric vehicles may replace conventional vehicles in intermodal ports, last mile delivery trucks and other short stop trips. The one major obstacle to adopt electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. Ports for charging the vehicles also have to be set up in order for the adoption to be effective.

 12. Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

Mobility as a service is a shift from personally owned vehicles to mobility offered as service. Modes of transport are offered to customers based on their individual preferences.

Read Also: How Can We Upscale Our Business?

This is usually seen in services like Uber, Ola and Lyft. However, this trend is now being spread to truck fleets also. Usually, fleet managers have their own trucks and use it for their services only.

But nowadays different fleet managers are pooling their vehicles to provide the best service according to the needs of the people that employ them. Different companies are sharing their vehicles to provide a variety of options for their customers.

 13. Increased Use of LED Lighting

Fleets usually used strobe lighting in their service vehicles. But nowadays, there is an increasing trend of using LED lighting as brake lights, turn signals and emergency lights. LED lights are being used more because of their long lifespan, ease of installation and increased intensity.

14. Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification Tags

Radio Frequency Identification Tags are a type of tracking system using radio waves. This is used to identify and track inventory and assets.

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The cost of implementing and using RFID tags is getting lower with improvement in the technology making it very cost-effective. An advantage of RFID tags is that it reduces the amount of lost cargo resulting from pilferage.

More fleet managers are using RFID tags to keep track of the cargo that is transported in their vehicles.

 15. Leveraging Technology to Manage Fleet Costs

When so many advanced technologies are available to the managers, it is their duty to make use of these technologies to the maximum extent so that the cost of operation can be reduced.

First of all, telematics makes fleet management an automated process, thereby reducing the time spent on manually updating their database and reducing the risk of errors. There is also a reduction in costs as the number of employees can be reduced.

IoT and telematics help in properly scheduling predictive maintenance of the vehicles thereby reducing the risk of sudden failure of the vehicle and eliminating the cost of replacing the vehicle.

Insurance rates are increasing steeply nowadays. All fleets have to have an insurance policy. With the help of dashboard cameras and video analytics, driver behaviour can be observed to reduce risks and decrease insurance premiums.

Conclusion

The Fleet management industry is developing every year as newer technologies are introduced. With an improvement in technology comes greater competition. Identifying and following the trends of the industry can help managers stay ahead of the competition.

Discussed above are the top trends in commercial fleet management that managers use to make their operations more efficient and organised. Nowadays, following traditional methods of fleet management will get you nowhere.

Regulations enforced by the government keep on changing and everyone is in a race to find ways to comply with these regulations while increasing their business also. Managers have to choose the technology they think is best suited for them and use it in their business to help them succeed.

Top 10 Transport Companies in Dubai

Posted on by fmsupadminnxtjs

The Transportation industry is the backbone of any economy. Transport companies are vital to the growth of Dubai. The transportation industry has evolved from being just delivering a product from one destination to another.

Customers look for value-added services and are concerned about the safety and timely delivery of their products.

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Dubai is the hub of the logistics industry in the Middle East and transportation forms the basis of any logistics industry. Different businesses require different types of transportation.

Read Also: Driving Rules in UAE – All You Need To Know

Here we look at transport companies in Dubai who cater to the different sectors.

1. Allied Transport Company

Allied transport company | transport companies in dubai

The Allied transport company offers trucking services within the UAE and across the GCC. They have more than 1000 trucks and 2800 trailer beds in operation.

Their fleet consists of various chassis length trucks and trailers to transport containers of different sizes and specifications. They provide tailor-made solutions for individual trucking needs.

This helps the customer to save on the costs of owning the equipment and the associated overheads. They undertake retail distribution and transportation of dangerous goods per governmental regulations.

The temperature-controlled refrigerated vehicles transport temperature-sensitive products like pharmaceuticals and perishables. Their fleet of trailer handles over-sized shipments and automobile delivery.

2. Al Futtaim Logistics

Al Futtaim Logistics | transport companies in dubai

Al Futtaim Logistics is one of the leading transport companies in Dubai, UAE. The company established three decades ago is a top logistics company with a wide global reach.

The company operates with a fleet of car carriers, refrigerated trucks, low bed and curtain side trailers and side loaders for container transport.

Al Futtaim Logistics excels in the delivery of goods with speed and safety. The logistics division ensures optimal loads and routes for transportation and distribution.

Their trucks and trailers ensure prompt deliveries to both retail and ad hoc customers in the supply chain. Their vehicles are fitted with vehicle tracking systems to monitor vehicle and driver efficiency.

3. Royal Truck Transport

royal truck transport | transport companies in dubai

The company has a fleet of trailers – low bed, flatbed, curtain side, box, skeleton and tipper types. They also supply cranes, forklifts, JCB, shovel, bobcats and generator sets to construction companies

They provide transportation for a door to door delivery of general cargo and containers within the GCC. Their low bed trailers transport heavy equipment.

4. Global Shipping and Logistics

global shipping and logistics | transport companies in dubai

Global Shipping was incorporated in 1975 in Dubai as a transport company.  Their expansive storage and warehousing facilities enhanced their transportation function making them the best logistics and distribution company in the Middle-East.

The logistics division manages the fleet of trucks to suit individual customer needs. The transportation services are tailor-made to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation for the discerning customer.

Their expertise in transportation is the basis for their success in the field of logistics.

5. Zam Zam Transport LLC

zam zam transport LLC | transport companies in dubai

Zam Zam transport has been in operation for about two decades. Among the passenger transport companies, Zam Zam rates high in the area of bus rental services.

Their fleet consists of about 250 vehicles -economy and luxury buses and vans with seating capacities between 15-80 seats.They provide safe student transport for schools and colleges.

Read Also: 31 Ways to Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

Their buses transport staff to companies in the Free zone and Media city.They also rent transport employees and workers of construction and contracting companies to and from their residences.

6. Famous Star Transport

Famous Star Transport | transport companies in dubai

Famous Star is a passenger transport company with a fleet of buses on rental. They also cater to staff transportation.

The staff of hospitals, medical centers, hotels, and restaurants is transported to and from their place of residence to their work locations at specified times.

Their bus fleet is chartered by companies as their employee transport on short or long term leases. Buses are available on rent for customers on a daily or weekly basis.

7. Mubarak & Sons General Transport L.L.C

mubarak & sons transport | transport companies in dubai

Mubarak & Sons Transport has been in operation for over four decades in the UAE and GCC.  They cater to the transportation needs of industries, construction sites, manufacturing facilities, oil fields, gas and power sectors.

Their logistics division keeps control of the movement of vehicles, designs optimal routes and increases efficiency.They have a fleet of trailers, tippers and machinery and equipments.

The flatbed trailers transport, containers, building materials and equipments.  Tipper trucks are widely used to transport sand and aggregates. They own cranes, forklifts, shovels and JCB’s which are rented to construction sites.

8. Al Taef Star Transport by Heavy Trucks

Al Taef transport | transport companies in dubai

Al Taef transport began operations in 2008. The company has a range of trucks and trailers delivering goods and products within the UAE. They are known for their safe and efficient operations.

Along with road transportation, they have a wide logistics network handling air and sea freight. Their warehousing facilities make handling and storage of goods easier.

9. Al Sahra Transport LLC

Al Sahra Transport LLC | transport companies in dubai

Al Sahra transport provides services in the UAE and Middle Eastern and North African regions. The company operates a fleet of heavy trucks, pickup trucks and all types of trailers including flatbed, curtain- sided, box, temperature-controlled and low bed.

They are reliable transporters of oil-field supplies, gas and petrochemical products. They transport machinery and heavy equipment for manufacturing and construction projects. Their services are manned by a professional team dedicated to safety and reliability.

10. Cool Freights Transport LLC

Cool Freights Transport has been in the business of transporting refrigerated goods for almost 30 years.  They own a fleet of refrigerated and thermally protected trucks and vans of capacities ranging from 3 to 10 tons with different options for temperature settings.

Their main focus is on delivering perishables like fruit, meat, dairy products, and beverages to supermarkets, retail stores, cafes, restaurants, etc. and temperature-sensitive products like pharmaceuticals to hospitals, dispensaries and drug stores.

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The storage space in the van can be partitioned and set at different temperatures to facilitate the delivery of products economically.