Guide to Making the Most of Fleet Management Software

Maximize your company's fleet management systems by making the most of fleet management software

By Virginia Franco

Action Steps to Find and Use Fleet Management Software
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Increase the ways in which you utilize your fleet software's GPS tracking system

GPS tracking systems are commonly used to keep tabs on vehicles and on fuel inefficient behaviors like speeding and engine idling. GPS tracking systems can also improve efficiencies in other areas as well, particularly when it comes to managing service call flow. Knowing where the fleet is allows a dispatcher to select the ideally-placed vehicle to handle a service call. This capability not only reduces the amount of miles driven, it also improves on-time service and dispatch efficiencies.

I recommend: The Iler Group's GPS Fleet Solutions sells real-time and passive GPS systems. Jett-Track's Truck Tracking System's website provides additional reasons for purchasing a GPS tracking system to manage your fleet.

Maximize the capability of your company's truck maintenance software

Most customers use their truck maintenance software to keep track of preventative maintenance, keep records of parts replacements, etc. to increase the life span and performance of each fleet vehicle. It is also wise to take advantage of this software to review work order and purchase order histories, thus adding an additional check to your efforts to balance accounts payable and receivables.

I recommend: The website for TruckMaster Logistics Systems lists various ways in which their truck maintenance software can be used. SCB Consulting offers a free trial of FLEETMATE software before committing to purchasing their licensed product.

Customize your fleet management software reports to analyze the information you need

Most fleet companies run reports to determine how much money they spend on fuel, hours worked, etc. Fleet management software can do so much more, including activity reports that compare vehicle performance against operating costs based on your rates and customer system usage reports that monitor system usage according to users. These programs ultimately help you manage your bottom line by quickly pointing out costly activities and accurately measuring inefficiencies.

I recommend: FleetMatics lists several of the reporting options available using their fleet software. Ron Turley Associates offers many different reporting options and a free demo of their software.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Increase your efficiency three-fold by purchasing a fleet management software system that has three components in one. Several fleet management companies offer GPS tracking, fleet maintenance and reporting software as a comprehensive package.

Guide to Fleet Management Software

Cut costs and maximize profitability with a fleet management system and fleet maintenance management software

By Greg Brown

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

Choosing general use fleet management software

Whether you are tracking a half-dozen dump trucks or 10,000 delivery vans, the work can in any case quickly overwhelm. Look for fleet management systems that can not only track vehicles and fuel card usage but also driver payments and benefits and repair work as needed.

I recommend: Some vendors of robust fleet management software include Chevin Fleet Solutions, Arsenault Associates, RTA Fleet, and Fleetmate.

Consider stand-alone fleet maintenance management software

Most fleet management solution suites offer fleet maintenance software tracking modules as well. But it's worth considering stand-alone fleet maintenance software if that's all you need or if a fleet management software suite falls short on the detail offered by fleet maintenance software.

I recommend: Take a look at fleet maintenance software from Tatems and Collective Data. Servassist Online offers model-specific automotive service and fleet maintenance software for scheduling.

A fleet management solution puts the pieces on the board

Thanks to global positioning satellites and the rapidity (and increasing accuracy) of Web mapping, fleet software can put your finger on a given truck or van any second of the day, using GSP-enabled fleet management software.

I recommend: So much for the three-hour driver's lunch. Seriously, your insurer will be pleased, as will the company lawyer and, of course, the boss. Driver been too long at the wheel? Find him and get him off the road. See GPS-enabled fleet management systems from NavTrak, Data Trax, Astral by Borg Solutions, Trimble, and GPS Fleet Solutions.

For truck fleet management, a fleet management solution is highly specialized

Unlike most car fleets, over-the-road trucking companies manage a much higher level of insurance, tax, and fuel and safety overhead, not to mention regulation by a federal safety agency. A decent fleet management system is a must here.

I recommend: As a result, trucking fleet managment software is a bit more complex. Consider trucking fleet management solutions and truck maintenance software from Axon, Strategy Live, ProMiles, Prophesy, Dr. Dispatch, and Tailwind Systems.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get enough fleet management software to make a difference. Maintenance tracking is nice, but your insurance agent and accounting departments probably want a lot more from fleet management software. It may well be worth investing in more robust fleet management solutions.
• •  Fleet management software these days comes in two basic flavors: Web-enabled or Web only. A Web enabled fleet management system presumes your data is in one place, while 'Web only' hosts data elsewhere but increases the ability to share that data. Both types of fleet software have strengths and weaknesses to consider.
• •  Fleet management system or fleet maintenance systems not enough? Fleet growing too fast? There's a growing business in fleet management solutions -- essentially outsourcing the job to consolidators who cut costs by managing dozens of fleets at once over fleet maintenance management software.

Guide to Fleet Management Software Basics

Understanding the most popular features of fleet management systems

By Virginia Franco

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

Use GPS satellite systems to maximize fleet and driver performance

GPS satellite tracking systems allow owners from a safety and liability standpoint to know where each vehicle in a fleet is at any moment. GPS systems can also track gasoline guzzling behaviors like engine idling and speeding, in addition to driver stop time and information that can help you take steps to improve driver and vehicle performance.

I recommend: GPS Mobile Solutions lists the many benefits of its Marcus GPS system. Simply complete the information screen for a free copy of SageQuest's buyers guide, which contains many answers to common return on investment(ROI) questions about GPS tracking systems.

Use truck maintenance software to maximize fleet performance

Fleet maintenance software allows owners to track truck maintenance, repairs and maintain individual vehicle profiles all under one umbrella. This knowledge can help maximize the lifespan and performance of every vehicle in a fleet.

I recommend: Simply complete some information online and Prophesy Transportation Solutions will provide additional information about its fleet maintenance program. To view a fleet maintenance demo on the ManagerPlus website, simply complete the information box at the bottom of the page.

Use fleet software reporting programs to analyze fleet performance

Many of today's fleet software reporting programs offer electronic data exchange that can interface with any system you use to communicate information for your business. In addition, customized reports can be set up to analyze everything from fuel efficiencies to incidence status reports.

I recommend: FleetWave by Chevin Fleet Solutions includes a driver expenses and authorization system in addition to other reporting applications. TMT Software advertises its Transman software that offers a "comprehensive suite of features to manage the fleet maintenance process." Their program helps fleet organizations manage everything from dispatch orders and reports to settlement.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many fleet management systems are integrating fuel cards into their truck fleet management software programs. The cards allow drivers to pay for maintenance and fuel and gives fleet owners complete control over fueling and on-road maintenance.