No industry in Australia could go with its day-to-day duties without having the need for transportation. There are companies that either purchase or lease a fleet of vehicles just so they could carry out the goals of their businesses. These include taxicab companies, freight and transport companies, car rental companies, and even mining and quarrying companies. Those that have invested enough may go for purchasing a fleet of cars, vans, or trucks, but there are startups who would rather lease them from fleet companies than invest right away on these mobile assets. Either way, companies involved would be able to carry out their services as efficiently and productively as possible.
Top 4 Problems Faced by Fleet Companies
Fleet companies are not free from issues and problems. There are drawbacks when it comes to fleeting, and if not remedied, businesses would definitely suffer. Below is the list of some of the disadvantages of using fleet vehicles:
- Fleeting is prone to incidents of theft. A vehicle unit operating on a business day may get lost all of a sudden, causing hassles for the business.
- Although fuel and maintenance costs are inevitable, businesses would want to keep themselves efficient in those aspects.
- Fleeting is definitely a risk, especially if the hired drivers are not trained to work within their limits and thresholds set forth by these companies.
- Companies cannot afford to face liabilities over the damages and the injuries of their vehicles, their drivers, and other people and their vehicles in the event of accidents. Numerous trucking companies have been involved in a lot of cases caused by their drivers’ negligence. Not only would their business operations suffer, but their reputations might suffer as well.
Productivity and efficiency should not be a laborious task for these companies that utilize these mobile assets to conduct their businesses. Given today’s technology, it is safe to say that trucks, cars, and vans used by a lot of companies have already been installed with systems to help alleviate the hassles mentioned above. This technology is called vehicle tracking device.
Basically, this device makes use of global positioning system (GPS), which is used to pinpoint the location of every single fleet vehicle in operation. It makes use of computer software that is monitored by a third-party fleet manager or the owner for the purpose of not only locating fleet vehicles, but also collecting every pertinent data, from vehicle information, vehicle routes, to even the speed of the vehicles.
Apparently, installing GPS devices in every fleet vehicle can benefit companies in significantly reducing unnecessary costs and improving the overall productivity within businesses. Here is a list detailing the benefits:
Fuel Efficiency and Reduced Accidents
Speeding is a problem in most drivers operating these fleet vehicles, which is linked to high fuel usage. They drive beyond their thresholds in order to expedite their hours of service within a single workday. Also, idle times, or intervals wherein the vehicles are stopped and the engines are running, also contribute to excessive fuel consumption.
With in-vehicle monitoring system, fleet managers and companies are able to regularly receive alerts whenever vehicles go idle longer than they are allowed to do so. Also, they are able to track down which vehicles are speeding at any given time, enabling them to apply corrective measures on violating drivers. Drivers, knowing that these vehicles are rigged with vehicle tracking device, would be driving efficiently and within company policy, effectively reducing the possibility of meeting accidents.
More Disciplined Drivers
This is very much related to the above bullet point. With the unit being able to record vehicle speeds, the startup and shutdown of the vehicles’ engines, and the idling time, companies are able to prevent drivers from not just speeding unnecessarily, but also incidents of tardiness, idling, and even unauthorized usage of vehicles during off-hours. The supplied information are accurate information would also serve as timesheets, which the companies would use for their payroll processing efforts. These are especially true in companies that employ truckers. Again, with improved driving behavior, drivers won’t be subjecting themselves to accidents.
Ensures Security and Safety
Stolen vehicles can be tracked down with the use of GPS installed in the in-vehicle monitoring system units in fleet vehicles. Also, computer software used in these in-vehicle monitoring system units is used to set vehicle and engine maintenance dates for each fleet unit based on the calendar time and mileage, respectively.