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The manager of any business involved in transport will continually monitor how their fleet operates and look for ways to improve it. This can be done in various ways, starting with better driver recruitment and providing them with reliable vehicles and good working conditions. This can enhance customer relations as they will receive an improved service.
While training can help in this regard, a manager cannot sit in the cab with their drivers and monitor everything that goes on. They need to be accessible to the rest of the team as well as customers so that they can answer queries and offer real-time information. This can be aided considerably by installing vehicle telematics software.
Telematics provides information in an instant to the software so that a manager can make informed instant decisions or formulate a better strategy to enhance the reputation of a business and its fleet. One immediate impact is the savings on fuel as the system passes on data as to where it is available at the best price and can even lead to customer loyalty being offered. Route planning is something that can save considerable time and money when it is done right, which is something the telematics delivers in bundles. If there is an issue with a highway then alternatives can be quickly sourced and relayed to a driver who can concentrate on their tasks without distraction. Some of whom might be the owner of a rare and obscure car find.
The behaviour of the drivers can be monitored and used if any issues arise. It might be that they are found to be speeding or driving without due care and attention and require some retraining or occasionally disciplinary action to be taken against them. The data received from telematics provides conclusive evidence in such cases. Knowing that the software is installed is likely to lead to improved performance and increased discipline when behind the wheel. Customers, meanwhile, can receive information as to exactly where their delivery is so that they can plan accordingly rather than waiting in hope. In some Australian states, a fleet requires licensing, which is easier to obtain when the vehicles have telematics fitted which warns a manager as to when any regular maintenance is required.
Regular clients that have far better experience and are provided with accurate communication are far more likely to recommend a fleet to others which again offers great benefits to the business that has had the foresight to install the system. The amount of administration that was previously required to be done on paper is massively reduced so that a manager can concentrate on other matters, and as the software can be accessed online, they are no longer tied to their office. Expenses can cause issues with morale taking a dip if they are inaccurate, but that is no longer the case when turning to telematics.
Vehicle telematics can transform the way a fleet performs, offering valuable assistance to a manager who receives instant data, so better decisions can be made.