Many fleets comprise different vehicle types, which means that fleet management becomes a complex web of activities that may well pose its own logistical issues. Effective fleet management is the key to productivity across your entire workforce, helping to increase the amount of time your vehicles can spend on the road and potentially reducing the cost of ownership.
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According to research carried out by the Fleet Industry Advisory Group, having a fleet of vehicles represents a significant percentage of total business expenditure. Let’s take a look at some tips for managing your fleet and getting the most from this essential business expense.
Is your fleet classified effectively?
Ensure your fleet is classified and catalogued fully, by serial number, keeping a handy database of the engine model and tyre type. This can help your maintenance team to find a solution to any mechanical issues quickly, reducing the time your vehicle will be off the road. Classifying your fleet also helps you to predict your future fuel spend and keep your spare parts inventory topped up and accurate.
Check your fleet on a regular basis
Keep track of your oil changes, services, tyre changes, oil changes and any other maintenance on all your vehicles. This will help you to keep an eye on which vehicles are due to have a service whilst identifying vehicles that may be due for some more significant TLC.
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Monitor your fuel management effectively
Perhaps the most inescapable and costly expense in your fleet budget, the management of fuel is a constant challenge for a fleet manager. Many international businesses are using their fuel spend data to ensure they keep a close eye on their fleet operations, helping to try to get the most from this expense. One way in which fleets managers are trying to manage their spend is via fuel cards.
Fuel cards can help to reduce the cost of fuel whilst helping fleet managers to know exactly where and when purchases have been made. More information about fuel card systems is available from businesses such as https://www.fuelcardservices.com/.
Investing in a fleet management system
A fleet management system is an overarching method to help you maintain an overview of your entire fleet. The best fleet management systems provide ways to increase productivity, such as by producing detailed reports, vehicle tracking and driver insights.
Use geo-fencing
Using geo-fencing will enable you to know exactly where each vehicle in your fleet is at any one moment. You can identify whether a vehicle has passed or reached a certain location, which enables you to establish whether your vehicles are on schedule and where they are supposed to be.
Ensuring you are managing your fleet effectively is a great way to help to drive productivity whilst keeping costs down. Follow these tips and don’t forget that once your fleet management is sorted, it will need to be reviewed on a regular basis – just like any other area of your business.
