In order to effectively manage a fleet of vehicles, there are many factors that you need to take into account. Regardless of the size of your fleet or coverage area, financial matters and legislative pressures are affecting the role of fleet operators. Just as with other industries, technology and business trends have transformed fleet operation. But they have also given operators many benefits. From cutting down on wasted time to saving money, there are now a variety of solutions that every fleet operator needs to integrate into their regular business processes. If you want to save money and time as a fleet operator, here are the things you need to know.
Employee Safety
The safety of your drivers is always going to be one of your main priorities. Not only do you have a legal obligation to keep your drivers safe, you also need to ensure their safety because it is, ultimately, in your best interests to do so. When it comes to ensuring driver safety, you should:
- Prioritize the learning of your company’s safety standards
- Implement interactive safety training, which is more effective than a basic, printed guide to driver safety
- Involve drivers in the set-up of your safety standards
- Offer incentives for safer driving (higher rates of pay for safer drivers, days off, etc)
- Have very clear metrics for gauging safe driving (braking time for example)
The more you prioritize driver safety, the more likely that you will face fewer issues that will interrupt your workflow.
Using Data
If there’s one branch of technology that is affecting the business world, it’s the use of data. Fleet operators are no different. That’s because fleet operators need a constant flow of information. Data recording tech is now readily available, and they can ensure that your drivers are sticking to your safety standards and basic rules of the road.
The rise of telematics has made it easier than ever to keep track of fuel use, optimize route times, and provide you with in-depth DVIR reports that will make it easier to to operate within the right legal considerations. More than ever, businesses need to measure every process that they adopt, and both telematics and data can help you streamline a fleet’s operation and reduce costs across the board.
Choosing Vehicles
While your first consideration when looking at vehicles for your fleet is the caliber of your target demographics, there are other factors to consider that are just as important. Alongside your commercial activities, you need to evaluate your long-term costs as well. Depreciation and miles per gallon are vital to address as well as the average costs of repairs and services for each model. It’s always worth discussing this decision with your drivers. They need to be as comfortable driving those vehicles as you are with paying for them.
Remember: Your vehicles are your first chance to make an impression, and should be viewed as brand ambassadors in themselves.
Operating a fleet of vehicles can be a challenge, but a combination of the best modern business practices and adopting the right technologies can effectively reduce both costs and wasted time. Make sure that you align the growth of your business with all of the modern resources available so that your fleet could save both time and money while being at the forefront of implementing best practices in the industry.
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