If you’ve decided to add fleet management software to your toolbelt, you’ve already made the first big step towards improving your fleet’s efficiency, safety, and spending. However, with so many new features at your disposal, it may initially seem overwhelming.
Fleet management software exists to make your job easier, not harder, so this guide will help you make the transition into using fleet management software. Let’s go over how fleet management software works, getting started, and choosing the best option.
How to Choose Your Fleet Management Software
All fleets are different and need different solutions to meet their needs. However, there are certain features that you should always look for when considering what fleet management software solution to choose.
Ease of Use
The whole point of fleet management software is to save time. If you spend more time trying to install it or get over the learning curve, the investment may not be worth it. That’s why you should look for a solution that’s easy to install and intuitive, so you can easily access any information you need.
Integrations
A good fleet manager uses multiple systems to get a comprehensive view of everything going on with the business. Make sure your fleet management software can integrate easily with third-party tools for invoicing, payroll, HR software, and more. Integrations can provide a consolidated view of any data relevant to your fleet operations, giving you more visibility and control.
Data Insights
Fleet management software provides you with so much data that it can be overwhelming. That’s why your solution should help you easily interpret that data, so you can make it actionable and useful to your fleet. The data you collect should include information relating to safety, vehicle health, vehicle location, maintenance needs, and more. Consider your fleet’s needs before making a selection.
Mobile App for Drivers
Your drivers are always on the go but need access to the information they need at any time. That’s why management solutions that offer mobile apps significantly improve your fleet’s efficiency and communication. Drivers will always be in the loop, and you won’t have to make constant phone calls or text message updates.
How to Get Started with Fleet Management Software
Once you’ve selected your software solution, it may be hard to know where to start. We’ll outline four easy steps to help you hit the ground running with your fleet management software.
Step 1: Set a Goal
Before searching for your fleet management software, you likely had goals in mind. Outline these goals and use them to integrate the new software into your operations. Some ideas for setting goals include organizing vehicle inspections, managing expenses, or integrating third-party services. Once you have your goals set, you’ll more easily be able to focus on parts of your fleet management system without getting overwhelmed.
Step 2: Rollout the Software
Once you’ve got the hang of things, it’s time to roll out the software to those on your team who need it. At this step, you’ll need to decide who needs access to what and assign appropriate user roles. Drivers should be able to access inspection information and vehicle details, while a manager may have far more access. Then, you’ll want to take time to train your employees to ensure they know the ins and outs of your software and that there will be no knowledge gaps going forward.
Step 3: Track Progress
To determine if you’re meeting your goals, you’ll need to establish benchmarks early on. Use incremental implementation to complete your data entry, then set benchmarks by possibly creating percentages for progress or setting prospective dates. You can measure any metrics critical to your fleet’s operations, and once real data starts coming in, you can begin to see how your new solution benefits you.
Step 4: Consistently Monitor Needs
Even after you’ve fully adopted your software, you’ll still need to ensure you’re getting the most out of it. Get feedback from your drivers and techs to determine if you can improve any processes. If new needs arise for your fleet, you can reach out to your provider to see how to fill those gaps.
Start with the Best Fleet Management Software
Azuga’s fleet management software is state-of-the-art, and if you partner with us, we will help you every step of the way as you implement it into your fleet’s daily operations. We offer different pricing tiers and packages that meet the needs of any fleet, so try a demo with one of our experts and see what solution we can find for you!
