What makes a good fleet manager

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Fleet managers have to adapt to change to stay ahead, especially now when everything is still a bit up in the air. Instead, try to be more flexible and change your management strategy to fit the needs of your ever-evolving organization.

From replacement cycles to annual budget preparation, policy implementation to vehicle usage management and maintenance. The needs and objectives of multiple departments depend on the fleet manager executing their responsibilities well and keeping the fleet running smoothly.

Here are a few key responsibilities that most fleet managers share:. It can be difficult, especially if drivers are far from the garage on assignment. Thanks to technology, there are many dashcams and other tracking systems available for fleets to track their vehicles; from an efficiency standpoint, but also in case of safety incidents, like speeding or accidents.

Because of this, a good fleet manager takes care to hold on to the drivers they have. One way to do this is to maintain good workplace conditions and culture, as well as getting to know who your drivers are in order to build trust amongst the team.

Tracking your vehicles and equipment is increasingly important as budgets tighten and funds are reallocated around your organization. Utilizing telematics systems is a way that many fleets obtain real time driver data, vehicle diagnostics and gain more of an understanding of how each classification of vehicle is used within their fleet.

Most fleet managers will tell you that there are always ways to cut back on fuel and other operating costs. You can also cut back on expenses by keeping in mind how your vehicles will be used as you acquire them. It always helps to have a plan — especially when it comes to vehicle purchasing strategy.

New technology is consistently being rolled out, as well as updates to current vehicles already in production. Cloud-based fleet management software with mobile accessibility and automated features like service reminders and electronic driver vehicle inspection reports eDVIRs are the key to a successful vehicle maintenance program. Simplify fleet maintenance management by making it mobile, automated and accessible by anyone you want on your team.

Consistency is key. Without purchasing guidelines , personnel from varying departments and locations may buy vehicles as needed and keep them for as long as they see fit. Take the time to spec out vehicle options to meet the requirements of your fleet and put a purchasing plan in place. You should aim to optimize vehicle replacement. Some of our customers incentivize drivers for doing a good job—whether this be for achieving high fuel efficiency, performing vehicle inspections regularly or exhibiting high driving performance.

While this may not work for everyone, you should always hold your drivers to a performance standard. The potential fuel savings for better driving habits and a well running vehicle can really add up across an entire fleet. A few metrics that give solid insight into vehicle performance and fleet performance overall include cost per mile, total cost trend and operating cost summary. You can make tracking that data a lot simpler with a centralized fleet management platform , or even by simply upgrading to a smarter spreadsheet that does the calculation for you.

Ditch your file folders. In the world of cheap online storage, there are no excuses for not knowing where your fleet information is stored. Invoices, work orders, receipts, photos, employee records, product manuals and more can be kept in one central digital location and accessed from any internet-connected device. Move your fleet documents to the cloud and find your fleet information instantly.

Join an industry association, read trade publications and blogs like this one and keep up with what is happening in vehicle technology. Alternative fuels, for example, were once seen as a long shot, but may actually be within reach and cost-effective for your fleet.

The same goes for vehicle technology where if you have accurate data for your vehicles, you can make educated decisions about payback on investments. When it comes to embracing new tech, any step forward is a good one, no matter how small. In this age of technology and information, everything you need to be a fleet management expert is right at your fingertips.

Want to explore some new fleet management solutions that can streamline your operations? Start your free trial or request a demo of Fleetio today!