Fleet managers have so much on their plates. That’s why companies like Azuga are working so hard to come up with technologies that make fleet management easier and fleets more productive. Predictive analytics is a technology that fleet managers can use all the time in all aspects of fleet management to streamline operations and boost productivity. The term “predictive analytics” refers to a technology that uses data, algorithms, statistics, and machine learning to determine the likelihood of potential outcomes based on historical data. Predictive analytics helps fleet managers make decisions that benefit fleets every single day. We will outline how predictive analytics is beneficial for large fleets and how businesses can harness it to their advantage.
Keep Up With Maintenance
Keeping vehicles regularly maintained is one essential factor in keeping fleets both safe and effective over time. Predictive analytics software tracks vehicle needs based on how much drivers travel to estimate the wear and tear and predict when they will need maintenance. When the system determines the vehicle needs maintenance, it will alert the fleet manager to take action. Not only does staying on top of vehicle maintenance keep drivers safe from potential accidents due to malfunctioning parts, but it also keeps the fleet efficient by preventing breakdowns.
The practice of preventative maintenance can also save fleets money. For example, keeping tire pressure at its optimal level can save fleets 31 cents per gallon and improve a truck’s fuel economy by 10%. Tire pressure isn’t the only way to improve a truck’s gas mileage. Regular maintenance can improve gas mileage by 4%. Fixing serious maintenance problems as they arise can improve mileage by up to 40%. The benefits of preventative maintenance are just one way that predictive analytics helps fleet managers make positive decisions for their fleets.
Driver Behavior
Machines can never truly mimic human behavior, and that is not the goal of predictive analytics. However, machine learning can detect patterns in driver behavior and alert fleet managers to issues as they arise. One example of this practice at play is excessive idling. This issue can cost fleets significant amounts of money, as it wastes precious fuel and causes extra wear and tear on engine parts. Drivers don’t necessarily mean to hurt the company; sometimes they may eat their lunches or take naps in their trucks with the engine running. However, the fact remains that excessive idling is a problem, and predictive analytics can alert managers to fix it. It pinpoints vehicles that idle more than necessary to help fleet managers reach out to those drivers and let them know how their behavior affects the company.
A predictive analytics tool can also draw up reports on other behaviors, like rapid acceleration or speeding, which waste excessive amounts of fuel and are signs of aggressive driving. These behaviors are unsafe to both the driver and others on the road, costing the company money in fuel and even potentially causing accidents. It is crucial for everyone’s sake that fleet managers address these issues with the help of predictive analytics.
Route Optimization
Route optimization is a predictive analytics tool that fleet managers take advantage of all the time. This technology consists of determining routes that reduce fuel costs and miles driven and increase efficiency on the road. It harnesses predictive analytics, GPS, and traffic data to achieve this. The best route optimization software updates in real-time, so dispatch can add or remove jobs easily without distracting or disrupting the driver. If traffic situations change or a road becomes closed, the system can update to take that into account and change routes for all drivers taking that road. It even takes data from the customer database and assigns customers to technicians they are familiar with and technicians to jobs that match their skillset. Route optimization is a necessity for any fleet business, and predictive analytics makes the technology possible.
Conclusion
Technology is constantly changing in the fleet industry, and predictive analytics will continue to grow and improve. Azuga is at the forefront of this endeavor and already offers several products that support and grow fleet businesses all over the country. If you’re ready to streamline your business and embrace new technology, reach out to an expert at Azuga today to get started.
