{"id":3259,"date":"2019-08-15T16:38:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T14:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/?p=3259"},"modified":"2019-08-15T16:38:00","modified_gmt":"2019-08-15T14:38:00","slug":"trimming-the-fat-from-fleet-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2019\/08\/15\/trimming-the-fat-from-fleet-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Trimming the Fat From Fleet Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Virtual<\/p>\n

Virtual fleet management goes a step further to connect the entire fleet ecosystem, allowing API-based integration with telematics and routing systems as well as other management systems such as enterprise resource, accounting, HR, inventory, and customer relationship functions. Photo via Pexels.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Trimming the Fat From Fleet Management<\/h2>\n

How much of a fleet manager\u2019s day is consumed by updating files and emailing, phoning, faxing, or texting with drivers and vendors \u2014 a constant relay of information to complete perfunctory tasks?<\/p>\n

Consider this scenario: Driver John experiences a mechanical issue with his van that forces him to pull over during his delivery day. He leaves a message for Kathy, his fleet manager, who is in the middle of a senior management meeting. Exiting the meeting, Kathy makes arrangements to have the van transported to a service center. It\u2019s already late afternoon, so the service center pushes the work until the next morning \u2014 delaying John\u2019s delivery schedule by a full day.<\/p>\n

How can automation trim the fat from this process, freeing up the fleet manager for more high level endeavors?<\/p>\n

Enter the concept of programmatic or \u201cvirtual\u201d fleet management: Upon breakdown, John\u2019s van sends a message with a DTC code simultaneously to the fleet manager and service center. A tow truck is dispatched immediately and the van is unlocked remotely. The repair work begins without delay, saving at least a day of downtime. Based on John\u2019s schedule, the nature of the repair, and expected completion, the system triggers an event-based order chain to get John back on the road in the most efficient manner possible.<\/p>\n

Most fleet processes \u2014 from vehicle procurement, upfitting, and in-fleeting to route scheduling, remarketing, and maintenance and repairs \u2014 require human interaction. \u201cThere are a lot of opportunities to automate these chains to create more efficient processes,\u201d says Sean Behr, CEO of Stratim, a fleet management and logistics platform.<\/p>\n

Certainly, existing fleet management systems such as routing software or telematics already automate parts of these chains. Virtual fleet management goes a step further to connect the entire fleet ecosystem, Behr says, allowing API-based integration with telematics and routing systems as well as other management systems such as enterprise resource, accounting, HR, inventory, and customer relationship functions.<\/p>\n

Giving away any amount of control might give some fleet operators pause. However, \u201cYou\u2019re not relying on a system to make the decision, you make them based on the inputted data and the rules you set,\u201d Behr points out.<\/p>\n

Setting those rules, and implementing a virtual fleet management system in general, require more than just implementing a new app.<\/p>\n

It begins with consolidating vendors to a single platform, which allows instantaneous decisions based on price, location, and other inputted factors. In our example, Kathy\u2019s choice to service the van might not have been the closest or even the cheapest, but she needed to think fast \u2014 without the tools to make a more informed decision.<\/p>\n

Configuring a system requires leveraging existing technology and systems in new ways, which means leaning on your vendors to extract more data and integrate their systems into this new ecosystem. If they\u2019re unwilling, \u201cIt may be time to find a new vendor that can,\u201d Behr says.<\/p>\n

Another, larger endeavor involves changing company culture.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s hierarchy may task a director of enterprise optimization or innovation with handling this type of connectivity. However, \u201cOne person is not going to fundamentally alter the business,\u201d Behr says. \u201cThe entire company needs to be made accountable for business optimization. You need to find ways to drive KPI (key performance indicator) improvements across the business and get everyone thinking about how they can make your business better.\u201d<\/p>\n

For companies that measure yield in basis points, or a hundredth of a percentage point, finding efficiencies in every business process is essential \u2014 and today that\u2019s often the difference between success, survival, and failure.<\/p>\n

Many fleets still aren\u2019t able to quantify metrics such as vehicle downtime and workers\u2019 utilization rates, Behr says, though improving utilization rates from 40% to 70% could save thousands of dollars on a monthly basis.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you\u2019re able to cut downtime on a vehicle by two days,\u201d he asks, \u201chow much is that worth to your company?\u201d<\/p>\n

by Chris Brown<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.fleetforward.com<\/a><\/p>\n

FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/h3>\n

Fleet management is the use of a set of vehicles in order to provide services to a third-party, or to perform a task for our organization, in the most efficient and productive manner with a determined level of service and cost.<\/p>\n

Fleet management activities are shown in the following graph 1:<\/p>\n

\"fleet<\/p>\n

Graph 1: fleet management activities<\/p>\n

The proposal audit analyses and assesses all fleet management activities shown in the graph 1, and its main goals are:<\/p>\n