Introduction

For companies that employ mobile workforces and fleets of vehicles, effective fleet management is crucial to the bottom line. Robust technology tools allow organizations to streamline many manual, time-consuming tasks, particularly benefiting small to mid-sized businesses where the business owner or general manager often makes fleet management decisions. Fleet managers play a vital role in conjunction with these web-based software and telematics solutions.

What is Fleet Management and What Do Fleet Managers Do?

Fleet managers exist in nearly every industry, and while their roles may vary by organization, their impact consistently extends beyond their department—from customer satisfaction to total operational productivity. Fleet management involves managing commercial motor vehicles such as cars, vans, and trucks to improve utilization, fuel consumption, and maintenance. Fleet managers also coach drivers on fleet safety and compliance, and help manage liability. In industries like construction and building contracting, fleet management includes asset tracking and managing equipment like heavy cranes, bulldozers, trailers, generators, and specialty tools.

Technology simplifies the job of fleet managers, as fleet management is largely a data-driven process. Effective fleet managers confidently make strategic business decisions based on data from fleet management software. For instance, fleet managers use fleet visibility data to gain insights for cutting costs and increasing efficiency. With telematics products, fleets can become more eco-friendly, and managers can focus on driver safety.

The Future of Fleet Managers

The role of fleet managers has evolved dramatically over time. Previously focused solely on managing a fleet’s schedule, today’s fleet professionals lead and coach their teams, and collaborate with vehicle drivers at multiple management levels. A successful fleet manager establishes a cooperative relationship with all internal functions associated with fleet operations:

• Drivers and Technicians: Coaching on safe driving behaviors and handling DOT safety inspections.
• Dispatchers and Back Office: Ensuring vehicles are ready for the day’s work and improving routing and deployment.
• Business Owners and Leaders: Addressing compliance and insurance claims, suggesting ideas for business performance, and improving profitability by lowering expenses.
• Service Managers and Mechanics: Anticipating vehicle downtime and tracking vehicle acquisition and maintenance.

With a growing emphasis on management and administration, fleet managers see a clear path up the corporate ladder. Fleet management allows individuals to learn all aspects of the business, develop relationships with drivers, and collaborate with other members of the management team. They are invaluable for identifying cost-cutting options using data-driven insights from online dashboards.

Fleet Management Software

Advanced technology and data analysis are transforming the fleet landscape. While technology simplifies processes, it can also be overwhelming. Understanding new innovations, analysis, data, and near real-time updates can be daunting, but once fleet managers master these advances, their job becomes significantly easier.

Fleet management technology helps managers:

• Monitor Fuel Costs with Fuel Management: Fuel accounts for a significant portion of operating costs. Proper management prevents unauthorized spending and reduces overall fuel expenses.
• Report on Driver Safety Behaviors: Fleet tracking systems monitor speeding, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and idling, which can cause wear and tear on vehicles and increase costs.
• Receive Alerts for Vehicle Maintenance: Tracking preventive maintenance, like oil changes or tire rotations, ensures vehicles perform better and last longer. Managers receive alerts when inspections are due.
• Track Driver and Vehicle Locations and Routes: Advances in telematics, GPS mapping, and route planning software simplify tasks, save costs, and prevent delays caused by lost drivers.

Will Technology Eliminate Fleet Managers?

No, technology will not eliminate the need for fleet managers. Fleet management software enhances how fleet managers perform their essential duties rather than replacing them. It automates tedious tasks, reducing errors and allowing fleet managers to focus on value-adding functions such as decision-making, strategic planning, and relationship management—tasks that technology alone cannot handle.

Conclusion

Fleet management is a critical aspect of business operations, significantly impacting efficiency and profitability. As technology continues to advance, the role of fleet managers will evolve, but their expertise and strategic insights will remain indispensable. Embracing technological tools enables fleet managers to perform their roles more effectively, ensuring optimal fleet performance and business success.