When you’re in the trucking or transportation business, making sure your vehicles and drivers stay safe and on top of their game is crucial. Whether you’re a nationally-operating truck company or a small business that only delivers locally, having a comprehensive fleet management system is an integral part of keeping your fleet running efficiently.
So if you’re a fleet operator looking to establish your business with helpful driver training programs, cost-saving measures, and Fleet Management Software, you’re in the right place!
Read ahead to find out how to successfully tackle the various aspects of fleet management like a pro.
What is Fleet Management?
Fleet management can be defined as the practice of managing, organizing, and recording every single aspect of an organization’s fleet. Being a fleet manager, you will be relied on for establishing regular vehicle maintenance and checkups, devising route plans that save fuel and require less time, and implementing driver safety rules.
Your fleet managerial duties will depend upon the size of your company/organization, the industry in which you operate, and how large your fleet is. Being a fleet manager will require you to wear many hats and take responsibility for all of your company’s assets.
Several fleet managers like to opt for an all-in-one ERP Fleet Management Software for robust fleet management.
Tip: BulkdataPro offers cutting-edge software that can help you handle every aspect of your business successfully.
Understanding Primary Responsibilities
A fleet manager has a wide array of tasks and responsibilities that can range from devising a sturdy fleet strategy to determining the mobility needs and budgets.
Before establishing a fleet management program for your company, here is a set of primary responsibilities you need to keep in mind.
Keeping a Record of All the Data
Managing and keeping records is crucial when you’re running a fleet business. Having well-kept records of all the data and information of your fleet will help you minimize any risks, track and assess any changes, and mitigate problems quickly and effectively.
Lowering the Risk of Traffic Accidents
This is a huge responsibility that every fleet operator needs to prioritize. For this purpose, you must develop an effectual screening program for every driver that you hire, rigorously train them to ensure proper driving safety, and formulate safe-driving policies.
Assessing, analyzing, and then eliminating risks at every level of your company will help you your company get better profitability and increased chances to improve and expand your business.
Gather Information to Find the Fastest Route Possible
One of the most cumbersome tasks of fleet management is determining a route that saves fuel and improves your fleet’s productivity.
For this, you will have to thoroughly analyze recorded data, study regularly occurring patterns, and come up with innovative new solutions to optimize your fleet’s overall performance.
You can identify alternate routes and create tailored travel schedules to minimize idle time and save money on fuel.
A Dependable Plan of Action for Emergencies
Another important plan every fleet manager must make is to establish a robust plan of action for situations when their vehicles run into a road accident, breakdown, or fail to deliver on time.
Now that you’re well aware of all the primary responsibilities you have let’s go through them one by one to gain more insight into fleet management.
Hiring and Training Fleet Drivers
When you’re hiring fleet employees, there are a number of things you much consider and look out for. Here is a list of the baseline requirements your fleet drivers should have.
- They must have a valid driver’s license – truck drivers often require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate larger vehicles.
- All drivers must obtain a DOT medical card that certifies that the drivers are physically and mentally fit for a commercial driving job.
- They must have ample experience
- They must have a clean driving record
- They must back up their work experience with several references from previous employers
When it comes to training your drivers, you must provide them with proper instructions on what to do when they get in an accident, how to drive on different terrains, and know all the dangers of driving recklessly.
Make sure you’re creating and giving training programs regularly to keep reminding your drivers on how to ensure their safety. Keep your drivers up-to-date on the ongoings of the industry, the company’s protocols, and any other on-road training initiatives.
Keeping Track of Your Fleet with a Fleet Management Software
The recent advancements in technology and fleet management software have changed the game of fleet management. You can now track all of your fleet with GPS and get real-time updates and alerts to easily keep track no matter where the fleet is positioned.
With a high-tech fleet tracking system, you can now monitor driving routes, vehicle location, and driver downtime from the comfort of your desk and make any changes that seem necessary to save time and increase productivity.
A reliable fleet tracking system will also help you maximize safety for your vehicles because the software will help you find out if there have been instances of hard braking and excessive driving.
With this information, you can analyze and discuss safety solutions with your drivers before these issues become a more serious concern.
Fleet tracking systems are also extremely useful if there are any accidents and you need to track and monitor a vehicle.
Benefits of Fleet Management Software
There are various benefits of having efficient fleet management software within your business. This software will help you increase productivity without the chance of a vehicle breaking down, optimize your fleet’s performance, and reduce fuel consumption to save money.
With an overall improved performance, you can even generate higher revenue and profitability. Your fleet management software will help you ensure that your fleet is in optimal condition, which minimizes the risk of accidents and ensures a longer lifespan.
If you’re on the lookout for the ultimate fleet management solutions, look no further.
At BulkdataPro, we are offering power-packed Fleet Management Software that will provide you with advanced analytics, high-quality ERP modules, and machine learning. As the fleet management industry is advancing down the digital route, we aim to provide companies with state-of-the-art digital tools which will help them track, analyze, and streamline their fleet efficiently.
Check out our all-inclusive mobile fleet management solutions and software to elevate your business to new heights today.