Fleet managers are a fleet’s greatest asset in its everyday operations. It is a hard job with many moving parts, from handling dispatching to tackling budgetary needs; there is no end to a fleet manager’s work. Many tools today make a fleet manager’s job easier, such as fleet management software. However, this software is not all it can be if managers aren’t employing vehicle fleet management best practices. In this article, we will discuss fleet management best practices to ensure that you are getting the most out of your fleet management software.
No. 1: Track in Real-Time
Fleet tracking is one of the most invaluable tools at a fleet manager’s disposal. Almost every fleet today is taking advantage of fleet tracking, and why shouldn’t they? Knowing where your vehicles are at any given moment is immensely useful. Fleet tracking benefits your business across the board; it increases safety, optimizes dispatching, and helps you keep track of jobs efficiently. With fleet tracking enabled, you prevent thousands of wasted dollars and hours of lost time.
No. 2: Optimize Delivery Routes
Route optimization falls under the umbrella of tracking, but it is essential to call out on its own. It is a feature of fleet management software that uses algorithms and machine learning to create a path to your destination in the most efficient way possible, avoiding delays that may waste fuel and time. You take time to plan your schedules, so don’t let unexpected delays wreck all your hard work.
No. 3: Keep Drivers Safe
Fleet management software isn’t just for efficiency; it’s also meant to keep your drivers safe. It harnesses the power of telematics to track unsafe driving behaviors like hard braking, rapid acceleration, speeding, or swerving. Then, it alerts drivers and managers to fix the behavior in real-time. Of course, every fleet is looking for ways to prevent accidents, and fleet management software is one of the most important steps you can take. Preventing accidents keeps your drivers safe and saves your business time and money.
No. 4: Optimize Use of Assets
If you’re not currently getting the most out of your assets, an asset tracker may benefit you. You may think of an asset tracker as a tool for preventing theft, but it is much more than that. You can use an asset tracker to ensure that you use your assets in the most effective way possible. Asset tracking tells you where your assets are and when they run or stop. This means you know how frequently they are used and if they are genuinely needed where they are. Furthermore, you always know how many assets you have on hand, so you never end up buying duplicates or not having enough.
No. 5: Simplify Invoicing
Invoicing can be difficult for businesses, depending on the type of projects you complete. Mistakes in tracking payments or invoices can lead to disputes, which cost time and money. Luckily, fleet management software can mitigate this problem. You’ll have all of the data necessary to ensure you can resolve any invoicing dispute quickly. Furthermore, you know the hours your workers were on site and your equipment was running, so if a client disputes the hours you bill, you have this information available.
Let Fleet Management Software Help You
When it comes to managing a fleet, you don’t have to do it alone. Help is out there in the form of fleet management software. Azuga offers the best fleet management software on the market. Try a demo with one of our experts to see for yourself.