fleet-fuel-managementIf you haven’t invested yet in a fleet fuel management system, it’s time you seriously considered doing so. There’s probably no other business move you can make right now that would benefit your company as widely or as significantly as adding an electronic fleet fuel management system. And you have to do everything you can to stay competitive in today’s uncertain – yet predictably difficult – economy.

An automated system employs the latest technology to take human error and tedious, time-wasting tasks out of the picture. Instead you’re able to generate much more information about your vehicles and your fuel usage.

Your fleet fuel management system captures detail data about each vehicle and the fueling process during every fueling event. The data is instantly uploaded to a central database, where it’s readily accessible to everyone throughout your company who needs it.

How does that benefit your operation?

You gain control.
This is the big one, of course. You cannot effectively manage your fleet assets or operations if you aren’t sure where your fuel is going and how it’s being used. Forget theft. You’re probably seeing a lot more fuel missing in action from other causes. Beyond tremendous frustration, do you know what it’s costing you?

A fleet fuel management system gives you the visibility you need to see what’s happening and take corrective action, if need be.

Save money.
For most fueling and transportation companies, the cost of fuel is staggering – typically your highest cost aside from personnel. That makes it imperative to save wherever you can. Even tiny improvements can produce substantial savings by year end, giving a badly needed boost to your bottom line and your productivity. Imagine what larger incremental savings could do for your operation.

Using a fleet fuel management system, savings can come your way from many sources:

  • Virtual elimination of losses, whether they’re due to spotty or inaccurate record-keeping, misallocation or mistaken dispensing, theft or unauthorized vehicle use.
  • Streamlined routing and more careful driving techniques that conserve fuel.
  • Fewer repairs, thanks to continuous tracking of scheduled maintenance and instant alerts to error codes or other indications of impending problems. Vehicles in tip-top shape get better mileage, too.

Protect your fleet investment.
Fuel might be one of your highest ongoing operations expenses, but your fleet itself represents a massive investment. Getting the maximum return on that investment could mean the difference between business growth or mere survival. Vehicles that last longer and require less maintenance and fewer repairs during those years give you a strong return you can take to the bank.

Stretching capital funds with less frequent vehicle replacement can also free up cash to help your company capture opportunities in other areas or get started on new business initiatives that will help your company grow and thrive.

Whether you bank your savings or use capital funds in new ways, your investors or shareholders will appreciate the results of your fleet fuel management efforts. If you’re a public agency or organization, those stakeholders will be equally appreciative. And if you’re the owner, well, your confidence in the future can see a real life.

The ability to gather more information, especially in real time, enables you to make better-informed business decisions throughout your operation. Dispatchers and drivers can function more efficiently day in and day out. Your back-office team can handle billing faster and far more accurately. And managers have the big picture in hand to thoroughly analyze operations and conduct more strategic long-term planning and budgeting.

The ultimate benefit? You’re finally in a position to get the most from your fuel and fleet, so you can be more competitive and more profitable.

Photo Credit: barryskeates via Flickr