Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind when you’re considering a fleet fuel management system is fuel savings. That makes sense. After all, the system is designed around your fueling operation. But adopting one of these electronic systems can bring you far more than just better control over your fuel consumption. For instance, a fleet fuel management system can help you improve vehicle maintenance. Know when to choose a fleet fuel management system.
An automated system helps you stay on track with your regular preventive maintenance schedule.
Prevention is always your best option, but it can be particularly difficult to keep up with your fleet’s service calendar. The more vehicles you manage, especially if they’re housed at multiple locations, the harder it gets. So while the concept of prevention is good, your execution isn’t necessarily so effective. You’re relying on humans – usually your drivers or fueling crew – to monitor each vehicle’s data and handle your record-keeping.
But they’re busy, and their minds are sometimes on other things. Human error can result in incorrect odometer or chronometer readings, or drivers can simply forget to jot it down. Hurried handwriting can’t always be deciphered correctly by your back-office staff, compounding the problem. No wonder you can’t stay on schedule. And when vehicles aren’t maintained regularly, problems inevitably start to crop up.
A fleet fuel management system takes record-keeping out of the hands of humans. Data is gathered automatically – completely and accurately – during every fueling event. Now, it couldn’t be easier to know exactly when each vehicle is due for regular servicing.
But sometimes things go wrong between service appointments.
Your fleet fuel management system takes vehicle monitoring one step further, by actually alerting you to impending problems. Acknowledging error codes or other issues right away enables you to identify and fix the problem quickly and at least cost, without incurring unnecessary expense and down time. You don’t have to worry about undetected problems turning into something much more serious.
A fleet fuel management system can help improve driving techniques.
Kinder, gentler driving habits can do wonders to decrease your need for vehicle maintenance, repairs and parts replacement. That saves money and keeps your fleet on the road rather than parked in the shop.
The information you need to make these improvements is right at your fingertips, because your automated system gathers detailed information about vehicle performance as well as fueling data. You’ll be able to see which vehicles are suffering the effects of over-long idling, PTO and harsh braking. Beyond minimizing vehicle maintenance, you can use this information to help drivers perform more safely on the road, reducing risks to them and your fleet.
You can streamline route planning, too.
With integrated GPS, your fleet fuel management system can track vehicles everywhere they go. You’ll know if they’re being used for unauthorized trips, and you’ll be able to refine your route planning. Fewer miles driven equals less wear and tear. And that translates into fewer problems and unnecessary repairs or premature parts replacement. So your system is actually helping prolong each vehicle’s life.
All these opportunities are available because your automated system dramatically enhances your ability to collect and analyze data, about each vehicle and your fleet as a whole. You gain far greater control over your assets and far greater insight into how you’re using them.
Finally, you can accurately forecast vehicle maintenance needs and costs, even future capital needs for vehicle replacement. In fact, with a strengthened maintenance program you may be able to replace vehicles less often. Over time, you may even discover you’re equally or more productive with fewer vehicles.
You’ll save on operations costs as well as maintenance costs, thanks to reduced fuel consumption that results from better maintenance, streamlined route planning and smarter driving techniques. When you invest in a fleet fuel management system, the benefits just keep rolling along. To learn more about the system, FuelMaster AIM2, follow that link.
To learn more about how a Fuel Management System can help your organization’s specific needs, please contact Walden at 516-559-6976.