You are reviewing your business’s expenses and notice, once again, that your fleet-related costs have gone up and are not consistent with others. This frustrates you and has you wondering what more you can do to have this one cost finally sorted and under control.
If this is your experience, and you are looking to save on fleet-related costs, then you need the right fleet management system on your side.
It is important to know what to look for when choosing and buying a fleet management system for your business, luckily, we are here to help. Let us discuss what there is to know about this service and how investing in it sets your business up for long-term wins.
To effectively manage expenses and reduce fleet costs, you need a reliable fleet management solution. Making this decision may be difficult for some, as they may not be sure what to look for since most providers appear to offer the same or similar services.
The first step to take is to look internally at the business itself. You will need to evaluate where the fleet is lacking and where it can improve. This will assist in finding the best system for the business.
Here are some steps to follow before looking for a provider.
When choosing a fleet system, it is important to ensure that it is scalable and adjustable to the growth of the business and the plans that it has.
The system you choose for your business must also be compatible with the existing software currently being used. This could be payroll, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and other product and customer management systems. It should be able to integrate with all these different types of software and easily pull through insights and instructions from each.
It is also essential to determine whether the solution will be cloud-based or on-premise, as businesses may require a hybrid approach or transition over time.
When it comes to any form of tech or software, user-friendliness is paramount. Technological innovations are meant to make our lives easier and simplify processes. The system that you choose should have this element built into it.
It is important to have an intuitive interface if the goal is to have the system adopted easily, this applies to both PC and mobile options. The system should be able to be used by any of the business’s employees who work with the fleet. Navigating the options and features should be a clear and straightforward process.
Customer support should be readily available should there be any confusion about how the system works or if there are any technical issues. This is a crucial factor to consider, as there may be instances where technical issues arise, and no one within the business can fix them.
Like every product out on the market, fleet systems are also subject to customer reviews. When looking to see which is best for you, checking customer reviews and testimonials is a good way to go.
This could be looking up the provider on public forums and company rating sites like Hello Peter or seeing what the public sentiment is on social media. Doing this will help in assessing the provider’s industry experience and reliability.
Understanding pricing models is important as this is usually one of the leading determinants for which system a business may choose. Knowing the difference between a contract and a rental will inform which one aligns closer to the budget and goals of the fleet.
You will need to weigh upfront costs against long-term ROI to see which option will have the most value in relation to the amount being paid.
Another factor to consider is its potential hidden costs. These could include additional fees for installation, training, and upgrades. If unchecked, a business can find itself paying for services that another provider would have bundled into one cost.
Having effective fleet management is important and can significantly improve fleet operations. It could lead to significant savings and cost reductions in areas the business previously thought not possible.
Here are some of the tools you must ensure your system has when evaluating if it is the one for your business.
Driver behaviour monitoring is one of the most effective ways of saving fleet-related costs. With this feature, a business can promote safer and more efficient driving habits throughout the fleet.
When drivers follow rules and treat vehicles with respect, they reduce the chances of fuel waste and wear and tear. These factors can become significant expenses in the long run, especially if the business has a large fleet of vehicles travelling long distances.
Managing fuel costs is a standard expectation for any fleet manager. This is an expense that might feel definite and only subject to change when fuel prices fluctuate. However, that is not the case, there are many strategies that can be taken to reduce fuel consumption and save money.
A fuel management tool can identify inefficiencies in fuel consumption and detect instances of unnecessary fuel waste. This could be due to fuel theft, driver behaviour, engine health and bad route planning, all issues that can be managed and resolved.
Breakdowns can be quite costly, especially for larger, more specialised vehicles. These usually happen due to the vehicle's age and the gradual accumulation of wear and tear. Servicing done in time can significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns. This is why getting notified when a vehicle is due for maintenance is essential. It prevents breakdowns with proactive servicing and keeps the fleet in good condition.
The routes a fleet takes can have a huge impact on the business. Long routes on bad roads at busy times of the day can all contribute to late deliveries and bad driving behaviour such as idling. A system needs to be in place to mitigate these problems, which is where fleet management comes in. Having it in your business can lead to optimised routes, enhanced delivery efficiency and reduced fuel wastage.
Cartrack offers a comprehensive solution designed to reduce costs and maximise profitability. Here are some reasons we shine above the rest:
Here are some of our products and services that are guaranteed to reduce inefficiencies and streamline operations.
We offer a diverse product line that can be tailored to your business’s specific needs at a reasonable cost. These contracts come in 12, 24, and 36-month packages, with payments being made in cash or monthly instalments.
Our telematics offering comes with precise GPS tracking and real-time location to help optimise a business fleet’s operation. The comprehensive solutions package includes asset management, vehicle diagnostics, and proactive maintenance alerts, helping your business reduce downtime and extend vehicle lifespan.
Our tracking solutions are GPS and GSM enabled and come with unparalleled real-time location accuracy, which allows businesses to monitor their fleets with ease and precision. With tools such as live tracking, route history, and geofencing capabilities, a fleet manager can enhance productivity and performance. This is because routes will be optimised and deliveries done on time as the ETA will be more accurate. Additionally, our system provides alerts for unauthorised vehicle movements, which will make it easier to prevent theft and vehicle misuse.
Protect your fleet with Cartrack’s industry-leading stolen vehicle recovery service, which boasts an average stolen vehicle recovery rate of over 90%. Dedicated recovery teams work around the clock all year round to swiftly locate and retrieve stolen vehicles.
Additionally, we offer remote vehicle immobilisation, emergency support, and a panic button as value-added services. We even offer a warranty in the unlikely situation that we are unable to recover stolen vehicles.
Fuel costs are usually one of the biggest expenses for a fleet, fortunately, Cartrack’s fuel management system can help your business keep them under control. Our system has real-time fuel usage monitoring, detects inefficiencies, identifies fuel theft, and optimises overall fuel consumption. A business owner can also get detailed reports on refuelling patterns and consumption trends, empowering them to make informed decisions that can lead to significant cost savings.
Safe and responsible driving is non-negotiable and vital for both cost efficiency and fleet longevity. Our driver monitoring system tracks bad driving behaviours such as harsh braking, rapid acceleration, excessive idling, and speeding. A business owner can use these insights to implement training programmes which will promote safer driving habits, reduce wear and tear, and lower the risk of accidents. By improving driver behaviour, you not only enhance fleet safety but also boost fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Cartrack’s offering is customisable for every business model and is scalable to meet the needs of the business as it grows. We also work in a variety of industries in 24 countries across the globe, with a customer base of more than 115,000 businesses.
When considering which management system provider to get for your business, know that Cartrack rises above the rest and will get your fleet functioning at optimal performance.
Contact us to start saving on your fleet's costs.
Q: What are the challenges in fleet management?
A: Many businesses face the same challenges when dealing with a fleet of vehicles. These can be:
For some businesses, these may be more prevalent than others.
Q: What is the difference between fleet management and telematics?
A: Fleet management software works as a cloud-based digital platforms which analyse data and help manage various aspects of fleet operations. Telematics systems gather integral data points, such as fuel consumption, vehicle diagnostics, and real-time GPS location.
Q: What is included in fleet management?
A: Most systems offer vehicle tracking, telematics, route optimisation and fuel consumption management. The goal is to maintain and enhance operational cost-effectiveness, vehicle maintenance, driver and asset management, vehicle safety and compliance, and operational efficiency.
Q: What are the benefits of a fleet management system?
A: Having this system will greatly benefit your business in several ways. Some of these include:
All these will have a long-term impact on the business’s growth and development.
Maximise fleet efficiency and cut costs! Find out what to look for in a fleet management system and why Cartrack is the best choice for your business.
