Fleet management refers to monitoring all the fleet activities and taking necessary actions required for the smooth and efficient functioning of the fleet. This is the term used in managing logistics businesses with a larger fleet. In the managing process, the fleet managers assess the vehicle performance, route optimization, time of goods delivery & fuel consumption, and emphasize on driver safety, better fuel management, and overall cost reduction. These are also the parameters that decide how efficient the fleet management system is. The fleet management system embodies the tools which not only solve the existing operational issues but also increase the overall system performance and contribute to better profit generation. These tools help in route optimization, real-time vehicle monitoring, fuel tank sensor based immediate alerts of fuel theft, and cargo delivery notification. Many such performance enhancers make a fleet management system an excellent companion for fleet managers.
There are countless undeniable advantages of using a fleet management solution, which could better be understood with some of the most popular and talked about terms. The following terms can get us an insight into amalgamation of modern technologies into our fleet management solution:
Fleet Management Software
The fleet management solution is a combination of multiple tools where each section is managed by a specific tool. The FMS allows you to convert the raw data available from telematics into human-readable visuals which gives a better understanding of data. This software analyzes the data and converts it into graphs, pie charts, and other attractive visuals. It also senses the need when a particular notification or alert should be sent to the admin or logistics manager.
Fuel management & optimization
Fuel management and optimization generally deal with the idea of saving fuel to the maximum. It generally aims at managing fuel wastage by installing additional sensors in the fuel tank to detect fuel theft (through changes in fuel levels). The aim is to cut down fuel costs and prevent overconsumption of fuel. In case it happens, it can send an alert to the manager and helps in taking immediate action.
Dashboards
Dashboards are generally present in applications of both managers and drivers. It contains information about real-time location of fleet vehicles, distance traveled, fuel usage, no of stops taken, vehicle maintenance details, and time left to reach the destination.
GPS tracking :
GPS tracking is one of the most important features of a fleet management solution. It monitors the vehicle all through the way and helps in the detection of the exact location of the vehicle and the driver. In case any vehicle takes longer than planned stops, the manager can easily find it.
Geo-fencing
Geo-fencing is a technology derived from the use of geo-location beacons. It allows you to define zones on your tracking map that are either no-go zones or zones that your vehicle should not leave.For example, if a fleet manager has a truck that is not allowed to leave a specific neighborhood because he does not need to, he can define this neighborhood as a fenced zone. If the beacon detects that the truck is leaving that zone, then the fleet manager will receive an alert to warn him.
IoT
The Internet of things is termed as those devices which are digitally modified and embedded with sensors and software so that they can connect to a platform or bigger software solution through the internet. Smartphones, CCTV cameras, etc can perform their task and this data can be utilized for taking certain decisions. Automation of modern fleet management cannot be imagined without this technology.
KPIs
A company’s growth and performance are analyzed through Key Performance Indicators. There are always a few terms or indicators which need constant monitoring. Each business has its own set of terms, similarly, fleet management businesses have KPIs like fuel consumption throughput, number of trips done by vehicle, etc. If KPIs show a positive graph then the company is sure to show some good profits.
Preventive maintenance
Preventive maintenance is also one of the important terms in fleet management. It means taking care of the vehicle in advance with timely vehicle service maintenance. It includes information about various parameters which need maintenance or replacement, by checking vehicle insurance, vehicle alignment at a certain distance traveled, or servicing the vehicle. These pre-maintenance activities reduce the chances of breakdowns and unplanned downtime.
Reports
Data collected from various sources in fleet management can be utilized to present some interesting figures. These figures are the throughput of each vehicle based on the trips it made, advanced knowledge of the kind of path to a particular destination, service requirement of the vehicle, driver’s driving pattern, etc. The detailed representation of these figures is called a report and the process is called report generation. Manual report generation itself used to be a time-consuming task before the introduction of fleet management software, which enables hassle-free report generation with a click.
Telematics
Telematics is an integration of telecommunication and information technology. It works on the data which is received from IoT and it links that data to other remote objects with the help of the internet. In fleet management solutions the devices are installed across different locations in a single setup. These are smart devices that continuously send information. This information is then utilized by the software in decoding relevant data like vehicle location, amount of fuel left, distance traveled, etc. And that data is presented to managers and drivers in their respective apps.
All these above-mentioned tools and technologies are helping fleet managers to maintain a tight grip on the system and ensure optimum utilization of fleet vehicles. Real-time information always puts managers a step ahead in taking informed decisions. Automated report generation has cut down extra time and effort invested by managers. This time can be utilized in strategic decision-making and other higher-priority tasks. Fuel management has resulted in a steep fall in fuel consumption rate. All these tools are directly and indirectly contributing to overall cost reduction, increased fleet efficiency, optimized systems and improved overall performance.
Asti infotech’s VTMS vehicle tracking system is one such leading player in the fleet management business. It is a fully automated and user-friendly fleet management solution that easily blends with the manager’s work pattern and increases his efficiency to the next level. It easily synchronizes with the enterprise’s work environment and helps in carrying out day-to-day operations smoothly. VTMS is equipped with all the latest features like GPS technology, Geo-fencing, Telematics, comprehensive dashboards, driver behavior analysis and vehicle maintenance alerts to ensure seamless fleet management. know more (www.astiinfotech.com).
