{"id":5700,"date":"2020-05-16T12:17:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-16T10:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=5700"},"modified":"2020-05-16T12:17:51","modified_gmt":"2020-05-16T10:17:51","slug":"specification-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/05\/16\/specification-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Get it Right Each Time\u2014How to Create a Successful Specification Process"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vehicle specification\u2014it\u2019s complex, time consuming, and sometimes difficult to streamline. The right spec yesterday may not be the right one for today or tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">No matter how you approach it, spec\u2019ing can\u2019t be completed in a vacuum. In addition to the fleet manager\u2019s own experience and knowledge, it requires involving key company and industry stakeholders who bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing for success requires a balance between your companies\u2019 goals and the right vehicle tailored to accomplish the job at hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Establishing Priorities <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">There are many variables that come into play when considering how to fully optimize your vehicle specifications. Setting the priorities is the first step in this unique balancing act. Oftentimes, fleet managers rank the following elements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Total cost of ownership<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Downtime<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rightsizing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Driver safety and efficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sustainability<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Lead time<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Setting Parameters<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">While the following is not an exhaustive set of questions that should be asked in each category, they are representative of the approach that should be taken when setting spec\u2019ing parameters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">TCO is fundamental in the choice of a vehicle. Measuring the cost of operating the vehicle against its productivity provides an informed assessment of the expense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is the acquisition cost of this vehicle?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is the fuel economy?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is its cargo or passenger capacity?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What are the projected maintenance costs? What is the potential resale value?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When it comes to spec\u2019ing and sourcing a service vehicle it is critical to have a good understanding of all associated costs\u2014even if cost isn\u2019t the largest factor in your decision-making process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing example: A fleet that operates in both rural and urban environments must source vehicles that meets multiple needs, not just one. While there are many spec\u2019ing factors to consider when it comes to location, a critical one is the availability of maintenance providers. The ability to service your vehicles for a competitive price can have dramatic results on your TCO. There is often an abundance of maintenance providers in urban areas yet the options are slim in rural settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">In situations where vehicles are doing a similar job but are in dramatically different territories, incorporating a second vehicle option might be a wise choice. Another vehicle option helps to accommodate the maintenance needs of the rural drivers and helps avoid going outside a provider\u2019s network which can affect price and quality, both having dramatic results on a fleet\u2019s bottom line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">On the flip side, if there are no limits to maintenance needs or the fleet only operated in urban areas where service providers are plentiful, the fleet could garner a larger manufacturer incentive by single source ordering. TCO is a careful science that, when analyzed correctly, pays off in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Lead time across the supply chain<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vehicle lead times are dynamic and can have a significant impact on your operation. Think beyond the OEM chassis. Consider how lead times across the entire supply chain could impact your vehicle specification decisions and yearly replacement planning schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When do you need the vehicles on the road? Is there an urgency factor?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How many vehicles do you need to order?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is this a popular model that will require a longer lead time?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is there any upfitting needed for the vehicle? How much time will this add to the process?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is your entire supply chain ready to support your order needs?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When do you need to start your replacement planning process to source the vehicles in time for your needs?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As you answer these important questions, modify your vehicle selection process accordingly. Be sure to analyze upfit locations and driver options to ensure the supply chain can support your overall order-to-delivery expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing example: Ship-thru transportation delays are a known possibility. If your fleet provider suspects a delay during an upcoming ordering cycle you can modify your sourcing strategy to use upfitters in a region closer to your end-user. This strategy can sometimes add transportation costs but will ultimately avoid delivery delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Downtime<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Some amount of downtime is unavoidable. Taking the vehicle off the road to undergo preventive maintenance is necessary to keep vehicles in top operating order. However, unscheduled downtime due to defects or poor maintenance practices are an unnecessary and wasteful drain on the company\u2019s bottom line\u2014both in terms of the expense related to the repair and the loss of productive time of the vehicle and the driver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How often is preventive maintenance required?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Any significant recalls or maintenance issues?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How complicated are major and minor repairs?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Are there special parts required that are difficult obtain?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fleets also need to make sure they are replacing vehicles at the right time to avoid excessive driver downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing example: If your fleet is heavily upfit with detailed specifications crucial to its application, a rental vehicle won\u2019t suffice if there\u2019s a gap between order delivery and new vehicle acquisition. There\u2019s also the matter of the time it takes to move inventory and\/or equipment into a new vehicle, which can be extremely taxing on the driver and add up to a day of downtime. Consider this when you build a vehicle spec because it will identify how important it is to manage acquisitions and spare vehicle inventory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Rightsizing<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rightsizing considers both the size (weight, engine type, etc.) and the number of vehicles in the fleet. The goal of rightsizing your fleet is to equip your drivers with the tool they need to accomplish the job without adding too much complexity or unnecessary vehicles to your fleet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is the role of the vehicle in the fleet?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Can a change in vehicle size add efficiencies or decrease costs while still doing the job safely?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is the weight of the vehicle drivers are operating now?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Can you remove unnecessary equipment to reduce weight, minimize costs, and improve the efficiency of the vehicle?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is the vehicle overweight, causing excessive maintenance costs or unsafe driving conditions?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is the vehicle DOT compliant?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing example: If a fleet is looking to avoid the complexity of DOT compliance, they would need to find a solution that brings the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) to 10,000 pounds or less. One way they could do this is by opting for an aluminum body to decrease vehicle weight in order to satisfy the fleet\u2019s need to carry a large amount of cargo.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Safety and Efficiency<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As you think about safety and efficiency take the perspective of both the driver and the vehicle. Balance between safe choices for the driver and an efficient vehicle to increase productivity for the fleet office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What are the standard safety features on the vehicle; what is the safety and crash rating?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is the vehicle comfortable and easy to drive?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How safe or efficient is the loading and unloading the truck?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Can the driver stand in the back of the vehicle or must they crawl to access the cargo?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How safe is the driver when they enter or exit the vehicle?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Does the driver carry chemicals? If so, are those chemicals kept in a sectioned-off area?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When you carefully harmonize driver and vehicle safety features you can balance your corporate safety goals and your drivers\u2019 needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing Example: One of the most common vehicle choices for a light duty fleet is a cargo van. These vans should always be upfit with partitions to prevent the cargo from impacting the driver in the event of a collision. However, consider your cargo\u2014if you are transporting toxic chemicals, a van might not be the ideal specification to limit driver exposure. Many fleets with this type of criteria opt for sourcing mid-sized pickups to house chemicals separate from drivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Sustainability<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Due to corporate sustainability initiatives becoming more commonplace, fleets are directed to take the environmental effects of their vehicles into account during acquisition planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">What is the vehicle\u2019s carbon footprint?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How old is your fleet and is it contributing to a negative footprint?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Is there an alternative fuel option that would deliver the equivalent capabilities?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Would acquisition costs be increased; can the useful lifecycle be increased?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">How complicated is refueling, and would it require installing fueling infrastructure?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As this list indicates, spec\u2019ing for success involves looking at the fleet holistically and without vehicle bias. The right vehicle may be one that\u2019s unexpected\u2014perhaps an aluminum body truck or an alternative powertrain might suit your sustainability needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Spec\u2019ing Example: Determining if your corporate goals revolve around carbon neutrality or reducing carbon footprint will help guide you in your sustainability endeavors. Top down buy-in is essential as \u201cgoing green\u201d may not equate to cost-neutral decisions. A good place to start is with replacement parameters and minimum MPG on all company vehicles. Goal setting examples: \u201cX MPG improvement by 20XX\u201d or \u201cX% Hybrid Electric Vehicle use by 20XX\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">And keep in mind, you don\u2019t need to go it alone. In addition to your internal stakeholders, you have an ally who can help identify priorities and advise you on the right upfit: your fleet management company.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The Right Truck, the First Time<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Wheels offers full support to its fleet clients during the spec\u2019ing process. Operating under the motto of \u201cThe Right Truck, the First Time,\u201d the fleet consulting manager, account executive, and truck consultant work in tandem to understand your unique goals and how they fit into the corporate mission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">A key component to this motto is the site visit. At Wheels, we drop desk-bound assumptions, and get out in the field. \u00a0Visiting with the fleet and speaking directly with drivers and key stakeholders help your account team understand exactly how fleet supports your business needs. It also gives them the opportunity to engage with the field to gain a deeper understanding of how the vehicle is used. The team evaluates every aspect of the fleet\u2019s current application(s) firsthand, focusing on user behaviors, specialized equipment and driver requirements. The questions the team asks during the site visit are then used to help build the right vehicle for the job; one that meets the needs of drivers and helps the organization accomplish its goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">By setting priorities, asking detailed questions, and ranking them, fleets can create a successful vehicle spec that moves your business moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Let us know how Wheels can help you make the best spec\u2019ing decisions for your fleet by contacting us at<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:info@wheels.com\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">info@wheels.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"original-url\">Originally posted on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worktruckonline.com\/356793\/do-it-right-each-timehow-to-create-a-successful-specing-process\" data-feathr-click-track=\"true\">Work Truck Online<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sponsored by Wheels Inc<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-16-gray\">by Jared Spaulding, Truck Technical Manager, Wheels<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"posted-by\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.automotive-fleet.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.automotive-fleet.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CUT COTS OF THE FLEET WITH OUR AUDIT PROGRAM<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5377\" src=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" alt=\"\" width=\"858\" height=\"572\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vehicle specification\u2014it\u2019s complex, time consuming, and sometimes difficult to streamline. The right spec yesterday may not be the right one for today or tomorrow. No matter how you approach it, spec\u2019ing can\u2019t be completed in a vacuum. In addition to the fleet manager\u2019s own experience and knowledge, it requires involving key company and industry stakeholders&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[114],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5700"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5700"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5702,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5700\/revisions\/5702"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}