If your business relies on vehicles for its operations, fleet management is an essential component of success. Revenue directly depends on vehicle and driver performance. The fleet manager must ensure things go according to plan, despite the many variables that come into play.
As a business owner or fleet manager, you can improve fleet efficiency with only a few impactful measures. Once you set up a management system, your fleet will run with maximum efficiency without the need for additional input from you.
Is your fleet performing as expected? Are your fleet costs under control? Here are three tips for effective fleet management.
Find a Reliable Fuel Supplier
When it comes to fleet operations and management, everything starts with fuel. A fleet needs a lot of fuel. Considering that the cost of petrol and diesel is on the rise, it is essential to monitor fuel consumption closely while also keeping an eye on market prices.
An essential thing to know is that it is cheaper to buy DERV fuel in bulk. Since a fleet has a high fuel usage, buying in bulk is the most effective approach because it helps you reduce business costs and ensure your vehicles have a steady supply of fuel.
Developing a long-term relationship with a reliable fuel supplier can make things easier for your business. Find a supplier that makes quick deliveries even on short notice and can offer you competitive prices.
Practice Preventative Maintenance
The longer one of your vehicles stays in the auto repair shop, the more business opportunities and money you lose. Postponing vehicle maintenance and repairs will result in breakdowns and business losses. A fleet manager should thus take the responsibility of tracking with maximum accuracy and diligence scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs.
Keep track of the work done on each vehicle. Who did what and when? Write down which parts were replaced and the associated labor costs. By going through these steps, you can promote preventative maintenance in the company to avoid costly breakdowns and business disruptions.
Promote Route Planning
A route planning app such as Route4Me is essential for effective fleet management. Inefficient detours, random routes, traffic jams, and road works can slow down your operations. If a vehicle spends unnecessary time on the road, the driver wastes time and energy, and the company loses money.
Take the time to look at potential routes and create at least some general plans for the drivers. Consider using cloud planners and online maps that your drivers can access in real-time.
Alternatively, you can invest in advanced navigation systems that include automatic routing software which works based on specific criteria. By taking the quickest route, your drivers will reduce fuel consumption. Your vehicles will also experience less wear and tear.
Final Words
Managing a fleet can be exhausting due to the amount of data and metrics that must be continuously gathered, analyzed, and synchronized. Without a proper fleet management strategy, a business cannot use its vehicles to the maximum potential. Follow our tips to improve your fleet’s performance while also cutting costs.
