Modern fleet managers face more challenges than their predecessors because of the simple fact that the fleet industry today is more competitive than ever before. That means they need an edge when it comes to areas such as containing fuel costs, providing better training for drivers and complying with complex government regulations.

The good news is that innovative technology addresses the major pain points for fleet managers. From fuel costs to managing Electronic Logging Devices and other compliance issues, fleet telematics provide solutions that keep transportation companies ahead of the competition. They also can save costs and reduce headaches for managers of all types of fleets.

Some of the Biggest Pain Points for Fleet Managers

At the heart of every pain point for fleet managers is a need to make operations as streamlined and efficient as possible. That starts by finding solutions to the following pain points that allow fleet leaders to optimize fleet operations and leverage the power of technology to improve productivity and boost the bottom line.

Administrative Tasks

One of the major benefits of technology in all the phases of a fleet operation is that it handles routine jobs. This allows fleet leaders to better manage their time, focusing on strategic issues rather than getting caught in endless tasks. Software systems provide fleet managers the ability to ditch the paperwork in areas that include maintenance scheduling, dispatching, compliance records, invoicing and more.

Fuel Costs

Fuel represents one of the biggest costs in every fleet manager’s budget. The constant price fluctuations have a significant impact on a fleet’s budget. However, fleet managers can assert more control over fuel costs by using telematics systems to better match vehicles to particular delivery routes, help coach drivers on fuel-saving driving habits, and use fuel cards to control when and where drivers make fuel purchases.

Maintenance Schedule

Keeping a fleet of vehicles in good working condition is critical to ensuring their safety, reliability, and longevity. Keeping track of a maintenance schedule can get complicated, especially with larger fleets, but it’s critical to reducing costly roadside breakdowns. Automated systems can keep track of when each vehicle is due for routine maintenance, allowing managers to get the most out of each vehicle.

Managing Drivers

Managing drivers is challenging, particularly when it comes to enforcing safety protocols, monitoring driver behavior, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Telematics systems can automatically keep track of driver information. Some systems also help better manage driver behavior. For example, some systems give drivers real-time alerts if they engage in risky behind-the-wheel actions such as speeding or abrupt braking or acceleration. Taken together, the benefits of these systems help managers create a more productive, efficient and safe group of drivers.

Managing All Assets

Fleet managers must manage both powered and non-powered assets to get the most out of them, but this is a major challenge in large operations. Connected tracking devices placed on vehicles, other powered assets (such as construction equipment and generators) and non-powered assets (such as trailers and water tanks) help fleets keep track of the location of each asset in real-time It also lowers the loss of capital investments due to theft.

Compliance

Compliance with the many regulations that govern commercial fleets is one of the biggest pain points for fleet managers. Failure to adhere to these regulations can lead to hefty fines and even having drivers and vehicles taken off the road. Software systems can help managers keep track of the data and reports needed to comply, from proper driver licensing and training to vehicle inspections and emissions standards. These systems can also automatically update when necessary to comply with ever evolving regulations.

These are some of the top pain points for fleet managers that advanced technology can help them take on. By putting fleet telematics to work, managers can worry less about pain points and more about developing and implementing a business strategy.