The Corona crisis has made it clear: digitalization has arrived in the fleet and will play an increasingly important role in efficient and cost-saving fleet management in the future. What trends are emerging in the field of IT applications for fleet management and how can fleet managers find the right solution for their company?
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Individual solutions are required, because every fleet is different
The diversity of fleets requires different measures, so there is not just one direction in which the market is moving. Due to the current situation caused by the Corona pandemic, distributed work at different locations is becoming increasingly important. This methodology is new for many fleets and also requires rethinking at first. However, distributed working is also a great opportunity for many fleets to streamline their processes and make communication channels more effective.
With the help of good software, all relevant parties can access a common database, retrieve the digital archive via the web and thus evaluate the data. Drivers are also increasingly involved in the work processes, resulting in an effective exchange of information.
We believe that fleet management becomes more efficient and cost-effective when the work is shared. The goal: to reduce process costs, increase transparency and improve service quality.
Toni Hoffmann, Product Manager at Carano Software Solutions
In addition, digitalization is also increasingly making its way into fleet management and completely overhauling long-established processes. In the future, drivers will use e-mails and apps to coordinate with each other and with the fleet manager to an even greater extent than before. This also means that a physical presence is not absolutely necessary for all inspections and tests, which in turn saves the fleet manager a great deal of time and money, as there is no need for organization. Modern software solutions remind drivers of statutory inspections and send reminder e-mails to ensure that the deadlines are met, thus reducing the coordination effort due to missed deadlines.
As far as reporting and controlling are concerned, Excel spreadsheets will be replaced in the coming years by clear dashboards that display all important key figures with just a few clicks.
Another trend is cloud models, whose use will also continue to grow in the coming years. Unlike on-premise solutions, which are installed locally on the server, the cloud offers easier access to the system, especially while on the road or from the home office.
With the increasing acceptance of coordinating the fleet even from the home office, cloud software will play an increasingly important role when it comes to fleet coordination in the coming years. Combinations of on-premise and cloud solutions are also increasingly in demand, as this type of fleet software in particular simplifies distributed working at a physical distance.
When is fleet software worthwhile?
One thing in advance: fleet software is almost always worthwhile. When it comes to choosing the right solution, it is not so much the size, but rather the complexity of the fleet that is crucial. A look at the work processes can be helpful: What is done internally and what is done externally? The decisive factor is what the objective of the software is and what the organization within the fleet looks like. Fleet management solutions such as Fleet+ offer high functionality and are suitable for medium to mid-sized fleets. However, compact solutions are suitable for small fleets. Here it is worthwhile to inquire with the manufacturers about suitable solutions that cover your needs in the best possible way.
Before purchasing a software solution, fleet managers should ask themselves the following questions:
- Do you want easier cost capture and analysis, or does the captured data serve you as a basis for strategic decision-making?
- Are there distributed locations and who should have direct access?
- How much support do you want to give the drivers?
- Which departments and external service providers should be involved?
- Are there any data protection regulations in the company?
- What services and apps are available for drivers, etc.?
If you clarify these questions in advance, it will also be easier for you to decide on the right solution for your fleet and move more quickly into implementation.
In short, a carefully thought-out list of all fleet processes provides a good basis for deciding whether to purchase fleet software and facilitates the move to a digitally managed fleet. The challenge is to ultimately implement the solution in such a way that effort-intensive processes are gradually simplified and costs are saved.
Finding the right fleet software can be a lengthy process. We support you in this process and show you how our solutions can help you save time and money while making established communication channels more effective.
