Fleet management services run more smoothly with fewer errors and less downtime when you employ the correct automotive fleet management tools. When managers are equipped with the auto fleet management supplies they need, you will see the difference in the time spent loading, on the road and with customers. Automotive fleet services ultimately help to make your business more profitable.

Current, up-to-date machinery, computer support and training will provide your fleet management services with the proper supplies to run the fleet. You need to keep on top of the current commercial fleet management software programs to allow your teams to operate with the least amount of down time. Mechanics with the tools to keep your fleet operating at maximum capacity will pay off regularly. Communication systems that can handle the load of your business are vital to smooth vehicle fleet management. Run your operation smoothly and efficiently with the best supplies for automotive fleet management.

1. Find the most current auto fleet management software programs

2. Bring in top trained mechanics for an optimal fleet program

3. Update fleet management system telecom products

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use an electronic fleet management information system

Whether you incorporate desktop automotive fleet services or use a Web-based system, your entire fleet will operate much more smoothly. You should take advantage of the advances in the fleet management software industry to give your team the best tools to be able to improve your profit margin.

I recommend: Choose a program that is easy to use so that you can get your team up and running with the latest software from a provider such as Vinity Soft. Consider using a software system with all the features you need built in. The programs from EZ Maintenance are easy to learn and give you a slew of options for optimal vehicle fleet management.

Keep your fleet program running

Whether you use full-time in-house mechanics or send out your vehicles to an outside contractor, make sure that you use the best you can. If your mechanical team isn't keeping your vehicles moving, then your automotive fleet management grinds to a halt. Keep track of your vehicles and get them serviced as soon as they go down.

I recommend: Consider leasing your fleet of vehicles from Merchants Leasing to avoid costly shut downs when your vehicles need servicing. FleetMatics can help you reduce down time by providing real time online GPS tracking services and the hardware to equip your vehicles for optimal management and servicing.

Stay in touch with a fleet management information system

All businesses run smoother when communications are open between the entire team. Mobile businesses that employ drivers are especially prone to losing good and constant communications. Make sure your team is equipped with durable and reliable communications systems.

I recommend: Blue Sky Network incorporates satellite technology to keep your fleet management communications open. Bring in a company such as Falcon to get you set up with the wireless and satellite tracking and communications systems that you need to keep up with your fleet.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whenever you sign a new contract for automotive fleet services, make sure that the vendor has built-in upgrades set up for you. The software and satellite technology is changing so fast that you will need to keep up with it to stay competitive.

Auto fleet management is essential in reducing costs and raising productivity. Whether you choose to utilize fleet management services or purchase software that helps you manage your fleet in-house, quality auto fleet management will improve your bottom line.

Choose an automotive fleet management program that fits your business needs. Consider a fleet management company that offers a variety of fleet management service that includes fuel reports, tracking, maintenance and activity reports. Keep the following options in mind:

1. Look for a fleet program that offers GPS tracking.

2. Consider how each fleet services management company utilizes maintenance to reduce costs.

3. Consider leasing as an alternative to purchasing to control costs in your fleet program.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose automotive fleet management services with GPS capabilities

Consider GPS tracking to find out where your vehicles are. With real-time reporting, you can more effectively determine the routes your vehicles are traveling and the amount of down time your vehicles experience. By using this information, you can eliminate wasted trips and increase productivity.

I recommend: Vehicle Path offers real-time information on where your vehicles are and allows you to track starts, stops and mileage. SageQuest also provides real-time tracking benefits that you can view online to help you improve efficiency and reduce fuel expenses.

Reduce maintenance costs with automotive fleet management

Whether you choose to utilize a company that performs vehicle maintenance for you or opt to purchase a program that allows you to better track maintenance, you can reduce the overall expense of maintaining your vehicles and reduce the down time when those vehicles are unavailable due to break downs.

I recommend: ManagerPlus regularly schedules preventative maintenance resulting in less downtime and fewer costly repairs for your fleet program. Arsenault Associates offers a software program designed to help you track maintenance and parts to reduce repair costs and inventory costs.

Lease automotive fleet services

Leasing your fleet of vehicles is a viable option for a variety of businesses. Look for leasing companies that will tailor a package for your needs and also look for leasing companies that provide other benefits such as performing maintenance for you and handling delivery and pick up of vehicles. Not only can this save you money, it can also reduce your stress and return your focus to your business.

I recommend: Union Leasing allows you to lease the vehicles you need while they handle the maintenance for you. Merchants Leasing offers customers the chance to explore open-ended and closed-ended leases, allowing you to choose what works best for your specific needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider using fleet management services that handle motor vehicle checks and driver safety training for you. Such services will save you money and time, allowing you to focus on running your business.

Fleet management services are evolving so fast that you need to stay on top of the trends in automotive fleet management to make sure you have the latest software updates and your company is utilizing all the available tools to help your business run its smoothest. Auto fleet management products and services remain a top priority for many of your clients as well.

Manage your transportation armed with the most information you can find about fleet management services by keeping up with the latest automotive fleet management news and trends. Look for automotive fleet management updates by communicating with other business owners with similar needs. Find out about unique and cost-effective automotive fleet services through industry publications and business-owner blogs. As you build your network, find numerous ways to keep up with automotive fleet management news and trends.

1. Use trade association publications to keep up with fleet program news

2. Subscribe to fleet management system publications

3. Sign on for email alerts from automotive fleet services

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other commercial fleet management businesses

Blogs and online newsletters are replacing print magazines in droves and they can be a very efficient means of communication. Find an Internet blog or website that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.

I recommend: If you are in the industry in any capacity, you should make a practice regularly reading the news at Automotive Fleet. Business Fleet is another good source of important news that you may need to stay on top of the changes in the industry.

Read up on changes in fleet management services

Browse the news affecting your industry, or an industry with which you'd like to business. You'll be better served by knowing about any big changes when you go onto client meetings or bid on contracts than if you are in the dark because you were too busy to check the latest news and trends sources you've set up.

I recommend: Subscribe to Fleet Central, which touts itself as the “hub for everything fleet.” You’ll find blogs and news articles that cater to your industry at Work Truck Online, including a forecast of truck fleet management trends.

Receive car fleet management email alerts

While most business owners are trying to clear out their in-boxes to save time, you should allow at least one information provider to get into your email with alerts about new fleet management services. You shouldn't miss out on vital auto fleet management alerts.

I recommend: Sign on for regular news updates, blogs or email alerts at Fleet Financials, where executives meet and exchange ideas and find the news that affects their business. Public sector fleet management professionals turn to Government Fleet for the news that affects public policy and news worthy reports.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make knowledge a premium in your company by asking each of your employees to read or subscribe to at least one magazine or newsletter and share automotive fleet management with everyone else.

Fleet management is one type of asset management that is necessary if your business uses an automotive fleet for business operations. Fleet management incorporates a wide range of tasks, such as fleet tracking, maintenance management and remarketing fleet vehicles. Fleet management software can help your company consolidate all of the aspects of fleet management that you need to track and analyze over time to make informed business decisions. A number of wireless communication services also accompany software programs to provide additional security and communication networking within your fleet.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Fleet management software

Fleet management software is a type of computer program used by businesses to update vehicle inventory, document maintenance schedules, conduct cost analysis of fleets, track fleet travel and calculate gas usage.

I recommend: Discrete Wireless gives a definition of fleet management software in their glossary of GPS-related terms.

Asset management

Asset management involves decision-making regarding the best use of a company's assets, including their automotive fleet. Assets can be bought, sold, leased, and more.

I recommend: Read a concise definition of asset management focused on transportation from the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

GPS tracking system, global positioning system

A GPS tracking system, which stands for Global Positioning System, allows satellite tracking of vehicle locations. Two types of GPS tracking used by fleet management systems are real-time GPS, which tracks vehicles moment-to-moment, and passive GPS, which provides a digest of vehicle location information at the end of the business day.

I recommend: GPS Fleet Solutions provides a brief definition for both types of GPS tracking systems.

Telemetry

Telemetry is a communications process for transmitting data from remote locations to a central information hub. Telemetry was originally conducted by wire, but can also include radio and wireless communications, as with many communications networks used by vehicle fleets.

I recommend: Tech-FAQ has a detailed definition of telemetry and its development as a communications technology.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a process for record-keeping and maintenance scheduling designed to keep a fleet of vehicles operating cost effectively, by fixing potential problems before they actually happen. Preventive maintenance and its cost benefits can be managed using vehicle management software.

I recommend: Weibull.com offers a description of preventative maintenance for use with vehicle fleets.

Remarketing

Remarketing is the selling of used vehicles or other products that have been leased or used by a company for a period of time, and are still functioning well. Fleet vehicles are often remarketed to individual consumers or to smaller companies, especially when sold as a fleet, rather than as individual vehicles.

I recommend: Automotive Resources International explains how remarketing is used to ensure maximum cost efficiency for a vehicle fleet.