What's ahead in 2017 for vehicle fleet managers?

Challenges for Fleet Managers continue to rise as the years go by. Stay ahead of the game with an insight into some of the key trends that will be taking place as 2017 unfolds.

Ensure you can integrate your telematics

The advantages of telematics information within a fleet have been long discussed and are of particular interest to the motor fleet insurance industry, but as these systems now become more embedded within fleets the focus turns to ensuring each form of information can integrate together for greater functionality and efficiency.

For example, put vehicle location data and mapping functionalities together and you get better customer service. Pair vehicle location information with fuel card information and you can quickly identify instances of fuel fraud. Link odometer information with fleet maintenance management systems and you can accurately schedule preventative maintenance.
As we move into 2017 the focus will be on finding a telematics provider that integrates with the systems your fleet and business currently rely on.

Staying ahead of the competition in this area is key and with access to systems being driven by smartphones it is also important to find a provider who is dedicated to research and development in this area to ensure you stay ahead of the curve.

Predictive maintenance is the way forward

Telematics will also be used more readily to solve problems with downtime and loss of productivity through predictive maintenance. Whilst your vehicles may be on a regular oil change or service schedule it may happen too often or not often enough when based solely on odometer readings. By combining this information with telematics readings which consider data such as engine hours and idling time, for example, you can schedule preventative maintenance much more efficiently for improved uptime and have a better idea of when vehicles need replacing.

By finding a telematics provider with strong maintenance reporting and alerts you will be able to get your drivers to safety before a breakdown occurs and save valuable time and money.

Make drivers responsible for fuel management

As fuel management is such a high cost area for fleets we are always looking for ways to be more efficient and curb the spending. With fuel prices starting to creep up again, the amount an individual driver is using will soon become top of the agenda once again.

One of the key trends in this area for 2017 is on making your drivers responsible for their MPG. A driver is actually the main influence on how fuel efficient your fleet is, so make use of them. Identifying MPG as a KPI for your drivers means that they will be rewarded for safer driving and reduced idling. Telematics can clearly be extremely helpful in this area by providing alerts to perhaps shut off the vehicle if it is idling, and providing better routing options.

Compete for fleet safety

Whilst large vehicles, such as trucks, are exposed to greater dangers than small cars, the issue of fleet safety is a big one no matter what the size of your fleet. Road accidents at work can cost companies billions of pounds and affect ongoing costs such as fleet insurance premiums. Keeping drivers safe and productive also comes hand in hand with fuel economy, so budget will also be addressed.

Driver education and incentive programs are reliable options that will enhance driver safety and improve fleet health. But perhaps the latest trend in fleet safety is gamification. Play one department or region against another and you can let people’s competitive nature do the rest. By setting goals and using telematics to help track performance you can allow drivers to play an active role in safety improvements, rewarding those regularly for the best safety results.