Choosing the right fleet management system is vital to your business’s success. Request demos from multiple vendors to compare products and better understand their features.

Look for software that offers more than just GPS tracking and reporting tools. Look for software that can monitor your vehicle’s performance, improve driver safety, and ensure compliance with government regulations.

Real-time Tracking

A fleet software package that offers real-time tracking gives a business visibility into all its vehicles, allowing it to make dispatch decisions more efficiently. This can help to cut out manual paperwork, reduce errors and rework, and cut down on billing discrepancies.

In addition to providing a clear view of where every vehicle is at any given time, this feature can also allow businesses to monitor driver behavior. For example, many fleet management systems can track things like speeding and harsh braking and alert the manager when those habits occur. Addressing these driving behaviors can save fuel, increase efficiency, and reduce the chance of an accident that could cause a trucking company to lose valuable business.

Some fleet software can even monitor vehicle maintenance, helping a business to stay on top of routine servicing and cutting down on downtime caused by delayed repairs. When looking at a new fleet system, Evans says it’s important to consider the long term and not just focus on immediate benefits. He recommends choosing a standard system rather than bespoke software that might limit future upgrades.

Reporting

A fleet of commercial vehicles is one of the largest assets a business owns. They must be well-maintained and monitored for safety, productivity, and cost efficiency.

Fleet management software provides a central database for vehicle and driver information for operations. From tracking locations to monitoring service hours, various tools are available that will streamline business processes and improve productivity.

Some fleet management solutions include telematics hardware that can be installed in each vehicle to monitor trip data and other information. This allows the system to identify key areas of improvement and reduce costs. It also supports compliance with regulations, including the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

Fleet management systems should provide a variety of reporting options. This includes route optimization that can help minimize time on the road and at pick-up or delivery sites. Diagnostics alerts can help drivers and managers quickly detect mechanical problems. This prevents a breakdown in the middle of a trip and allows repairs to be completed promptly. The system should also provide a way to document route activity, which can be helpful for legal or insurance disputes, job completion verification, and more.

Analytics

Any fleet software packages must provide a complete understanding of all the data that it processes. Otherwise, users will never be able to take full advantage of the software’s benefits. This data enables decision-makers to optimize operations and improve the overall performance of their materials-handling business.

A good fleet management system will enable you to monitor your vehicles, equipment, drivers and other people from a central hub. This will make overseeing all aspects of your operation easier from a single screen without interrupting your team.

Machine vision and artificial intelligence technology also enable fleet managers to check on driving behaviors – such as distracted driving, which can be costly for businesses. This data is then used to deliver remote driver coaching opportunities to improve safety and productivity.

When evaluating fleet management software systems, tech champions should request a demo from each provider to compare products and determine the best fit for their material handling business. Evans cautions against bespoke solutions, saying that they restrict future development and can lead to issues integrating new features or changes to existing functionality.

Alerts

Fleet management platforms like Webfleet (formerly TomTom Telematics) offer a range of features that can help businesses combat driver shortages and surging fuel prices. These include asset and vehicle tracking, e-logs that comply with FMCSA regulations, smart load matching, route optimization, and maintenance and compliance monitoring.

Using alerts on monitoring dashboards allows managers to identify and correct issues quickly. For example, if the system detects a fuel leak or unauthorized vehicle use, it can notify the owner immediately. This can save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Identifying business goals and objectives before installing a new fleet software package. Then, a company can focus on the most important features of its operations. Moreover, getting colleagues on board with the new system is essential. It will take some time for them to become familiar with the new system, and it’s important to ensure they know their responsibilities. This will increase user adoption and productivity. It is also a good idea to assign one person as the main point of contact and a “super-user” for the new platform.

Mobile App

Fleet management software lets you view all vehicle information from a single, intuitive interface. It is an important tool to ensure your material handling operations are carried out efficiently, cost-effectively and safely.

For example, the system helps monitor HOS compliance for trucks and buses and provides alerts when drivers have unaccounted for hours on the road. This enables fleet managers to reduce fines and penalties. The system also allows safety inspectors to download this data for compliance verification.

The software lets managers monitor fuel consumption and track refueling to identify theft or inefficient usage. This can significantly reduce your maintenance costs and prevent unnecessary downtime.

A fleet management software package is only as useful as the data it processes. Before purchasing one, decide on your objectives and communicate these to the provider, advises Evans. Considering the whole-package costs and ongoing fees, including support and licenses, is also important. Lastly, request demos of the software to see how easy it is to use and whether it will encourage consistent usage.

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.