Big companies with large fleets face special challenges in managing their vehicles.
They have to deal with a complicated logistical situation because they cover large areas, have thousands of vehicles, and manage many drivers across different states or even countries.
The seven challenges for fleet managers in these companies include:
- Needing clear and accurate reports, along with timely alerts
- Keeping up with vehicle maintenance and dealing with supply chain issues
- Tracking the use of valuable vehicles and assets
- Managing teams spread across different locations
- Controlling fuel costs and preventing misuse
- Handling incidents and gathering video evidence
- Encouraging a culture of safety
1. Accurate, simplified, timely alerts and reports
Problem– Managing a large fleet generates an overwhelming amount of data for fleet managers to sift through. The bigger the fleet, the more data there is. Enterprise fleet managers need quick and easy access to key insights from their telematics data.
Solution– Enterprise fleet management software simplifies this process by filtering out unimportant information and providing only the data that truly matters. Customizable alerts can be set up to monitor specific vehicle activities, like idling or harsh driving, and if any limits are exceeded, managers receive an automated email, which can also be sent to their mobile device.
With these insights, fleet managers can view an accurate, comprehensive dashboard of their entire fleet and get useful reports on critical areas such as fuel usage, safety monitoring, and maintenance.
2. Vehicle maintenance and supply chain disruption
Problem– Without regular maintenance, fleets face costly breakdowns, service interruptions, and a shorter vehicle lifespan. To meet business goals, enterprise fleets must keep their vehicles and equipment running smoothly. Managing maintenance and minimizing downtime, while also focusing on utilization, is a constant challenge. Additionally, supply chain disruptions can delay unexpected repairs due to backordered parts.
Solution– Fleet management software allows fleet managers to implement preventive maintenance strategies, reducing the risk of expensive repairs. Many OEM solutions come with detailed engine data that enhances preventive maintenance and vehicle health. By using advanced engine diagnostics, fleet managers can gain deeper insights into their fleet’s condition, enabling a data-driven approach to optimize vehicle performance.
Tracking key maintenance tasks with alerts, diagnostic trouble codes, and scheduling through telematics helps fleets plan for maintenance and manage downtime, even amid supply chain challenges.
3. Tracking use of high value assets and vehicles
Problem– Fleet managers often struggle to monitor all assets effectively. Misuse of company vehicles, such as using them outside work hours or designated areas, can lead to extra costs and potential legal risks for the company.
Solution– Fleet management software provides continuous monitoring of all company assets. Data such as vehicle speed, location, and usage is tracked, with alerts sent directly to a manager’s mobile device or desktop.
This data is collected and displayed in reports or a dashboard that highlights any undesirable activity across the fleet, enabling top-level managers to track overall performance against key indicators. The information can be broken down by teams or divisions to identify negative trends, helping managers determine how to address these issues.
4. Managing a geographically-dispersed team
Problem– Managing large commercial fleets involves not just mobile resource management (MRM) but also overseeing assets spread across wide geographical areas. Fleets that operate across state lines or internationally face challenges in communicating with remote drivers. Finding vehicles in different locations can be cumbersome, requiring constant zooming and scrolling on a map.
Solution– When managing a fleet spread over a large area, fleet managers need the ability to zoom in and out of the fleet map quickly and easily. Fleet management software offers advanced mapping and spatial clustering, allowing managers to switch from a wide-angle view of the entire fleet to focusing on a specific vehicle anywhere within the GPS network. Spatial clustering groups thousands of assets intelligently, creating more meaningful and organized maps.
5. Controlling fuel spend and other costs
Problem– With rising fuel costs, fleet managers need to constantly monitor fuel expenses to minimize their impact on the bottom line. Additionally, the costs of purchasing trucks and trailers, as well as repair and maintenance, are also increasing due to inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Solution– A fleet management solution helps identify fuel efficiency, monitor fuel consumption, and promote efficient driving behaviors. By providing reports that track fuel spending, fleet managers can monitor fuel efficiency and detect any fuel slippage. The software also helps address costs by keeping an eye on driver habits that waste fuel, such as speeding and idling, allowing enterprise fleets to manage these expenses effectively.
6. Incident mitigation and video evidence
Problem– Enterprise fleets manage a large number of vehicles, with drivers serving as the public face of the business. If an incident occurs, fleet managers need to quickly and accurately determine what happened and who was at fault.
Solution– Video telematics, including front- and rear-facing dashcams, give fleet managers a virtual seat in the vehicle. These cameras and sensors capture footage inside and outside the vehicle, providing alerts about risky driving behavior. AI-powered video telematics analyzes this footage to prioritize unsafe incidents that need the fleet manager’s attention. Additionally, the video footage can help protect drivers from false accident claims and streamline the insurance claims process.
7. Promoting a culture of safety
Problem– Ensuring driver and vehicle safety is a top priority for all fleets, and for enterprise fleets, this task is even more challenging. Fleet managers need access to driver-specific data in an easy-to-use format to address and reduce harsh driving behaviors like speeding, harsh braking, or distracted driving.
Solution– Telematics plays a crucial role in building a safety program. GPS tracking and AI-powered dashcams provide fleet managers with data on speed, location, and harsh driving incidents. Additionally, real-time audio alerts can be sent to drivers to address distracted driving behaviors, such as smoking, drowsiness, or phone use.
The data from a fleet management solution equips managers with the tools to create personalized coaching for drivers and set safety benchmarks for the fleet. They can also track driver behavior over time to monitor improvements.
Enterprise fleets run better when they have a fleet management solution
No matter the challenges, Revitauto Connect has the infrastructure to meet the unique demands of larger enterprise fleets, supporting them every step of the way. Our clients benefit from a reliable, ongoing partnership, all supported by the strength of the Revitauto.
In conclusion, managing large enterprise fleets comes with many challenges, from monitoring vehicles and drivers to controlling costs and ensuring safety. Revitauto Connect offers comprehensive fleet management solutions that simplify these tasks, providing the tools and support needed to keep fleets running smoothly and efficiently. With advanced technology and the reliability of the Revitauto, fleet managers can confidently tackle any challenge, knowing they have the resources to optimize their operations and protect their assets.
