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6 features in a fleet management system, you’ll need - Veturilo

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6 features in a fleet management system, you’ll need - Veturilo

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In the constantly changing fleet industry, as a fleet owner, you have to be agile to run your business efficiently. Yet, to be agile — in the era of the digital revolution — you need access to fleet-related metrics. In this case, a well-integrated fleet management system is, by far, the most valuable source of metrics; as well as insights.

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6 features in a fleet management system, you’ll need - Veturilo

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As a fleet owner, to be agile, you need fleet-related metrics. A fleet management system is the most valuable source of metrics & insights.

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Basic Features of Fleet Management Systems

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Basic Features of Fleet Management Systems

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The route optimization aspect of fleet management systems utilizes predictive analytics for planning daily routes for drivers. This feature uses information like road work, traffic, and other variables to choose trips.

The route planning feature minimizes unnecessary mileage and reduces fuel consumption. This automated dispatch feature also increases drivers’ productivity because they know their trip guidelines and can reach their destination in time.

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For any company with a fleet, a fleet management application is an indispensable tool. These systems offer productive and cost-effective solutions. The benefits of a fleet management system range from fuel management to vehicle tracking.

Here are some of the basic features of fleet management systems

One of the key features of a vehicle tracking system is route planning. This feature is crucial in helping you organize trip routes for your drivers. Route optimization and planning helps managers and drivers follow a predefined route plan that prevents hassle in business operations.

The route optimization aspect of fleet management systems utilizes predictive analytics for planning daily routes for drivers. This feature uses information like road work, traffic, and other variables to choose trips.

The route planning feature minimizes unnecessary mileage and reduces fuel consumption. This automated dispatch feature also increases drivers' productivity because they know their trip guidelines and can reach their destination in time.

Fleet management systems have a vehicle maintenance module. This feature allows managers to plan routine checkups. You will be able to gain insight into your vehicles' performance. This way, you can determine which vehicles need repairs.

According to regulations by , Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports provide information on vehicle operations and safety concerns that are filled out during vehicle inspections. The ideal fleet management system should be able to generate these reports to provide visibility into the condition of all vehicles.

The fleet management business is competitive, and any weaknesses in your customer service can be a significant blow to your business. Your customer services have to be accurate, swift, and time-conscious. With manual fleet management, estimates for billing are not always accurate. This eventually causes you to lose money if the bill is higher than it should be. You also stand to lose the loyalty of your customers.

Fleet management software enables you to reach your client's location without any difficulty. It also makes it easy to track the movements of your fleet.

You can also keep an eye on customers who are misusing your trucks. This helps prevent your assets from being misused. The system also allows you to see the topology and terrain where your vehicles are being used. As a result, there is adequate accountability, which is vital for protecting your business from bad customers.

Another critical feature of a fleet management application is fuel management. The module keeps track of your fuel tank and generates fuel management reports. This enables fleet managers to coordinate drivers. This helps minimize fuel expenses.

One of the main fuel-consumption habits is engine idling. Many vehicles remain idle for several hours a day, which contributes to high maintenance and fuel costs. Tracking and minimizing idle time helps reduce fuel expenses.

Fleet management systems also have fuel tank monitoring. Most of these applications have an engine control module that gathers data regarding your vehicles' fuel quantity measurement. For example, the module will provide data on the miles per liter information to the car's dashboard.

As a result, the fuel indicator flashes as a signal that the vehicle needs to be refilled. The software can also show stages in the trip where fuel consumption peaks. This helps fleet managers control fuel consumption.

In Conclusion

Fleet management systems are crucial for businesses involved in the transport industry. These systems increase the productivity of drivers and also improve customer satisfaction. The main features of management systems include route planning, vehicle maintenance, fuel management, and efficient customer service.

When choosing a fleet management option, make sure you consult an expert in fleet management services to determine your business' best solution.

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Basic Features of Fleet Management Systems

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For any company with a fleet, a fleet management application is an indispensable tool. These systems offer productive and cost-effective solutions. The benefits of a fleet management system range from fuel management to vehicle tracking. Here are some of the basic features of fleet management...

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Essential features of an effective fleet management system

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Essential features of an effective fleet management system

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This need is only projected to become more pronounced in the coming year, in terms of the US and global economies alike. As the shutdowns’ impact on major domestic manufacturers like Ford and GM caused inventory in stock to plummet, essential businesses continue to face challenges in terms of cost-effectiveness. In this regard, Comvoy reported an increase

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Key consideration when selecting a fleet management system

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Key consideration when selecting a fleet management system

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If your company has a fleet of vehicles that are used for business purposes, chances are, you require a fleet management system. Fleet management encapsulates the overall management and maintenance of your company’s fleet. With a fleet management system, companies can easily perform processes such as monitor their vehicles while they are on the road, manage

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CloudApper - automate manual business operations without the technical burden

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If your company has a fleet of vehicles that are used for business purposes, chances are, you require a fleet management system. Fleet management encapsulates the overall management and maintenance of your company's fleet. With a fleet management system, companies can easily perform processes such as monitor their vehicles while they are on the road, manage their driver, monitor their driving behaviour, and optimize fleet variables, such as the routes taken and fuel consumed.

Benefits of Fleet Management

As businesses recover from a volatile year, reducing costs and increasing efficiency are the priority. If your business depends on its vehicles then a system to manage your fleet is crucial. These systems are no longer reserved for logistic companies, as they provide the following benefits that can be advantageous to several businesses.

A fleet management system provides benefits such as collecting accurate information for reporting and developing key performance indicators. If your business has several vehicles on the road at any point in time, it is a challenge to manage all of these vehicles. With a system monitoring your vehicles, companies can simply monitor the routes taken through the system, allowing companies to accurately collate data.

Reduce fuel and maintenance expenses

The ability to reduce and manage fuel costs is another benefit. As a company, do you understand your employees' driving patterns? It is difficult, and sometimes impractical, to monitor every aspect of their driving behaviour. However, with a solutions managing a companies fleet, companies can monitor their employees' driving behaviour and routes with sensors and a fleet management system. This will reduce unnecessary speeding and inefficient routes taken by drivers, saving the company money in the process.

Maintenance is another crucial aspect of fleet management. Poor maintenance is both expensive and puts the driver at risk. Monitoring and storing data on the maintenance processes, such as the maintenance history and proper maintenance routines, can help ensure your company conducts maintenance on their vehicles at regular intervals. This results in a safe vehicle that will serve your company for many years.

How to select a fleet management system

With an understanding of what a fleet management system does and the benefits it provides to businesses, you may wonder how to select the most suitable one for your company. Here are some key considerations to make when selecting a system.

Your fleet is always on the move, therefore accessibility should not be a problem. It is advisable to ensure that your fleet management system is accessible on mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Ensuring that the system is operable on these systems without having to compromise the functionality will ensure a smoother implementation among employees and drivers

Whether your company's fleet consists of 10 vehicles or 1000, the ability to scale up, or down with the fleet management system your company chooses is crucial. It is advisable to review the system you plan on choosing to ensure that it scales up with your company. Reviewing the pricing plan as well allows a company to determine the costs associated with scaling up the business, and whether this is the right fleet management solution for your company.

The needs of a company constantly evolve and change. Having the option to integrate various solutions provides flexibility to attend to a company's needs. For example, with CloudApper Fleets, your company can manage the details surrounding your vehicle and driver through the cloud-based application. However, by integrating Fleets with Wialon, your company can now install sensors into the vehicles for more in-depth information collection, from accurate odometer readings to GPS tracking and fuel sensor installations that allow the company to collect fuel level readings. Having the ability to integrate with other complementary solutions will increase the benefits of your chosen fleet management system in the long term.

One of the main benefits of implementing any software solution is the ability to automate processes. Functions like these make the lives of the employees using the software easier and increase efficiency. Ensuring that your chosen system provides the ability to automate functions, such as maintenance schedule, would be a great benefit.

A reporting dashboard is an overlooked but equally important feature. If you are choosing a system to manage your fleet, the chances are that it will be used within your company for a long period. Selecting a system with an easy-to-use and read interface is vital. The ability to modify the reporting modules so that information is accessible at a glance helps and should not be underrated.

With an understanding of what benefits a fleet management system can provide, and insight into what features and functions your company should look for when selecting a system, isn't it time you looked into a fleet management solution for your company?

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Key consideration when selecting a fleet management system

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If your company has a fleet of vehicles that are used for business purposes, chances are, you require a fleet management system. Fleet management encapsulates the overall management and maintenance of your company's fleet.

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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Choosing the best software to manage your fleet requires some research to identify options that meet your company's needs. With an understanding of how to choose fleet management software, such as key features that will make your job easier, you can quickly find a software solution to improve the efficiency of handling your fleet.

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Choosing the best software to manage your fleet requires some research to identify options that meet your company's needs. With an understanding of how to choose fleet management software, such as key features that will make your job easier, you can quickly find a software solution to improve the efficiency of handling your fleet.

What is fleet management software?

Fleet management software is utilized by companies or organizations to help manage and operate a fleet of vehicles. The software encompasses more than a single computer program - it's only one part of an extensive electronic fleet management system. Your system may include devices installed on vehicles, mobile apps, platforms, and software.

The number of vehicles in a fleet can range from small fleets of a half-dozen company service trucks to large groups of hundreds of delivery trucks. Fleets may travel across the city or the country. Therefore, the specific needs of a fleet for its management software program may differ from another fleet's needs. However, all management software types will make it easier to coordinate fleet vehicles and the services they require through various electronic collection and storage methods.

Using electronic data through a fleet management program prevents lost paperwork or human error in misinterpreting paper records. The transfer to electronic record-keeping already applies to many commercial vehicles on the road. For example, transport trucks and commercial buses must use electronic logging devices (ELDs), per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you're required to use them, you might as well use take advantage of the data from ELDs to improve record-keeping.

One way that these devices can help with managing a fleet is through the information they gather. ELDs collect information about records of duty status (RODS) for use in safety audits or during investigations. The information collected includes the hours of service (HOS) for the driver. A fleet manager can aggregate this information and ensure its accuracy to optimize scheduling to avoid over- or underworking drivers. Solutions that connect ELDs to a cloud platform also allow fleet managers to check a driver's status at any time from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

Key features of fleet management software

Fleet management software benefits come directly from the available features and how your company uses them. A fully featured software package should help your company be compliant, improve safety, assist drivers with navigation, increase productivity, improve communications, track vehicles and assets, and collect vital statistics. Look for these attributes in a software package to ensure that it is powerful enough to improve your fleet's operations.

Compliance

Software should assist with regulatory compliance. For instance, because trucks and commercial buses must carry ELDs on-board for monitoring HOS, a management software package should include these devices. Additionally, the devices must meet the FMCSA requirements. The driver and fleet manager should both have access to the information and make changes to reflect more accurate drive times and unaccounted hours on the road. The system should also permit safety inspectors at roadside stations to download the information for compliance verification.

Another regulation that your fleet vehicles may need to meet is Driver Vehicle Inspection Reporting (DVIR) for ensuring vehicle safety. This method tracks problems and the condition of the vehicle over time. The Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) guidelines measure seven attributes, including driver fitness, vehicle maintenance, driving habits, crash reports, HOS, and use of controlled substances. If a vehicle undergoes an investigation, the inspector may require maintenance records to stay onboard the vehicle. Having DVIR can help with this aspect of compliance.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is another rule that your vehicles may need to comply with, especially if they travel long distances across state lines. This agreement ensures that you pay the correct amount for fuel taxes. Your fleet management software should monitor vehicle mileage within states and when vehicles cross state lines.

Safety

Vehicle and driver safety is crucial for the wellbeing of those working in your fleet, others on the road, and your profits. Accidents or breakdowns cause delays in deliveries. Poorly maintained vehicles reduce the size of your fleet during repairs. Having a fleet management software that monitors vehicle health and driver habits helps to mitigate these costly issues.

Using appropriate monitoring devices on vehicles that correct or alert drivers of harsh driving can reduce accidents by training drivers to change poor habits, including speeding, harsh braking, or rapid acceleration. Safer drivers will help get assets or services delivered on time and keep customers happy.

Navigation

Driving routes should not waste mileage or time. A quality navigation system with fleet management software should optimize drivers' routes, whether they carry passengers or cargo. Look for navigation attributes such as efficient route planning and useful information for the driver, such as toll locations and costs, fuel station locations, traffic updates, and more.

Productivity

Efficient operation of vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, improve route efficiency, and increase compliance and safety will all make your fleet more productive by reducing downtime for accidents and maintenance. The most effective fleet management systems should provide a full package of options for vehicles, drivers, and managers to maximize fleet productivity.

Communication

Communication with drivers is vital. However, drivers must be able to communicate safely without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. Hands-free communication options allow drivers to correspond with others without compromising their performance on the road.

Tracking

Tracking vehicles and assets gives you information about travel time and alerts you to any potential delays in the arrival of deliveries or vehicles. Software solutions for managing a fleet should accurately tell the fleet manager where either assets or vehicles are at all times.

Analytics

Analyzing the performance of a vehicle can help fleet managers plan preventative maintenance or determine when a vehicle needs an inspection to address a growing problem. Analytics for management software should also collect information about driver habits to allow the fleet manager to improve training in safe operations on the road for those drivers who spend too much time idling, braking harshly, or speeding.

How does fleet management software work?

Fleet management software is only one part of an entire system that combines in-vehicle devices, software, apps, and a main platform to create a method of gathering, reporting, and transmitting data in real-time.

Devices: The software provider installs devices inside fleet vehicles. These devices should have ELD attributes as well as a means of communicating navigation or other essential information to the driver. The size of your fleet determines the number of devices you need.

Software: Software that installs on your fleet manager's computer connects with the devices or apps to gather information in reports or to communicate with drivers. While the software installs on a computer, it may also connect to a cloud-based storage platform, as Rand McNally's fleet management software does.

Apps: Apps are how the fleet management system connects to driver or fleet manager mobile devices such as phones or tablets. These apps make the information collected from vehicle devices accessible from anywhere.

Platform: The main platform for managing a fleet is in the cloud. When you use a cloud-based system, anyone with authorized access to the fleet management system can view the information from vehicle devices or the software. Using a cloud-based platform, fleet managers can save space on their computers and not rely on a single office-based device to connect to the platform.

Putting them all together

Combining all aspects of the fleet management system creates a cohesive way for managers and drivers to optimize their individual jobs. Devices gather information from the vehicles about driver habits and vehicle performance. A fleet manager can access this information from an app or software on their computer via the cloud-based platform to look at trends, view reports, and more. The many ways of interacting with the system make it more convenient for managers and drivers to remain connected, even if they're on opposite sides of the country

Considerations for choosing the right fleet management software

When comparing several software solutions, consider some of the following aspects and how they will impact the benefits that you get from the software.

Features: Match the features the software offers to what your fleet needs. For instance, if you have long-haul truckers, you might want to invest in software that includes ways to optimize routes and improve driver safety.

Flexibility: Your business will go through changes and you need a fleet management software that is adaptable so you can scale features and benefits as needed.

Customer support: Eventually, you may need some help with the software. A strong customer support system from the software provider can ensure that a minor technical problem with the software does not cause an unnecessary delay in operations.

Installation: How easy is the installation of the devices on your fleet vehicles? Will you have to do this process yourself, or will the software provider do it? Also, ask about the cost for installation and activation of the software. Don't forget these aspects when choosing the best fleet management software for your company.

Process for choosing the best fleet management software

Rather than making a quick choice for a fleet management program, follow this process to narrow down the numerous options you have to find one that works for your company. To start, you have to know what your business needs from the software before you can identify programs with the features that will improve how you manage your fleet.

Define goals

Before identifying the right software for your company, you need to know what your company needs to get from the program. If you currently use fleet management software, identify any flaws or gaps in the features you need. For instance, can your existing software monitor for harsh driving such as braking hard or rapid acceleration? Do you need to monitor for this?

When defining the goals that you have for your new software, also outline how you will measure whether you have reached those goals. If you want software to help your fleet increase fuel efficiency, for example, what is the minimum increase you want to see to prove the software works?

Research options

Research the options available in your area that fit your budget. Since fleets differ drastically in size, you will likely need to request customized pricing for fleet management software based on the type of fleet you have and the number of vehicles.

As you gather information during your research, eliminate programs that don't offer fleet management software features that will help you to attain your company's goals for the operation of your fleet. For instance, if you need speed monitoring, don't request a demo of a system that does not offer it.

Request demos

Once you've narrowed down the options as much as possible from research, try each out by requesting demos. This step allows you to get a first-hand feel for the features and to see how well your company may benefit from the software system. Since software for your fleet is a significant investment, you should have the chance to learn more about the program before buying it. Compare products during the demos to find the best solution for your company's fleet.

Choose a software option and have it installed

Once you've chosen an appropriate fleet management program, have the devices and software installed on your fleet. Because you don't want to put your entire fleet out of commission for installation, have the software provider come multiple times for installation in groups of vehicles to minimize service disruptions.

Train drivers and managers in using the new program

As with any new system, you will need to train all your drivers and fleet managers in using the program properly. Schedule regular training sessions and encourage drivers and managers to use the software.

Reward those who properly use the program to encourage buy-in

Because some managers or drivers at your company may be wary of the software change, offer rewards for those who properly use the programs for improving their driving habits or otherwise show the benefits of fleet management software use.

Why choose Rand McNally Fleet

Knowing how to choose the best fleet management software should lead you to select a solution that will improve your fleet's operations while maximizing company profits and reducing costs. For fleet management, Rand McNally Fleet brings together multiple ways of managing your fleet through hardware and software that will ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency.

With more than 80 years of experience in the transportation industry, we put our knowledge of this sector to use in helping fleet managers to improve every aspect of their work. Even as our company has changed over the years, it continues to grow with innovative products to enhance fleet operations.

For more information about our fleet management software or other Rand McNally Fleet products, please browse our site. If you'd like a demo or to ask for a price quote, send your request to us today.

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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Choosing the best software to manage your fleet requires some research to identify options that meet your company's needs. With an understanding of how to choose fleet management software, such as key features that will make your job easier, you can quickly find a software solution to improve the efficiency of handling your fleet.

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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As a fleet manager, getting visibility into how efficiently your fleet is running can sometimes be challenging. A fleet management system can help by giving you access to clear and actionable data about the vehicles across your entire fleet.

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Key Takeaways

As a fleet manager, getting visibility into how efficiently your fleet is running can sometimes be challenging. A fleet management system can help by giving you access to clear and actionable data about the vehicles across your entire fleet. A fleet management solution is software that provides data-based insights about GPS vehicle tracking, Hours of Service (HOS) compliance, safety, upcoming vehicle maintenance, and more. The software is designed to ease the burden on the fleet manager's shoulders-helping to reduce costs, streamline workflows, and automate more processes within your fleet operations.

How can fleet management software help you?
A comprehensive fleet management system can give you a more complete view of how your fleet is performing.
With a fleet management software solution, fleet managers can quickly locate their vehicles, monitor traffic conditions, reduce fuel costs by monitoring idle time, and help prevent accidents through and improved driver performance to save thousands of dollars across their entire fleet.
A comprehensive fleet management system lets you drill down into your data, providing actionable insights to help you save time and money.
A good fleet management solution will present data in a clear and intuitive way, helping you to identify trends that previously might have been difficult for you to see. You can then filter that data to spot fuel inefficiencies, identify gaps in your safety program, or come up with new ways to increase customer satisfaction.

For example, by using Samsara's fleet management system to monitor idle time and fuel usage, Drew Newstrom, the City of Fort Lauderdale's Automotive and Equipment Specialist, was able to reduce his fleet's fuel consumption by 5% or about $70,500 in savings over a six-month period.

What features should your fleet management software include?

A fleet management system that's comprehensive, intuitive, and easy to use can be invaluable for fleets of all sizes. When choosing a fleet management software, it's important to make sure that it has the features that your business needs. When considering your options, keep an eye out for the following:

1. GPS tracking

If you're a fleet manager trying to keep track of your fleet and plan vehicle routes, it's important to make sure your fleet management software includes GPS tracking.

Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers are devices that help you to track vehicle locations and display those locations on a map-just like Google Maps is able to find and show you your location when you open it up on your phone. As a fleet manager, you can use GPS tracking to quickly locate your vehicles, determine which driver might be closest to a job, or even help your drivers avoid traffic and accidents.

But while most GPS trackers only offer a breadcrumb trail (with the vehicle's location only updating every five to 10 minutes), Samsara includes live-to-the-second visibility into vehicle location. Some fleet management software will even allow you to set predefined zones, or geofences, and provide real-time alerts in case a vehicle enters or exits one of these areas.

For Jerold Bean, VP of Events and Meetings at Windy City Limousine & Bus, tracking vehicles without real-time GPS was a significant issue. The team found that they frequently had to call their chauffeurs to get accurate location information.

After switching their entire fleet over to Samsara's fleet management solution, Windy City now has real-time visibility into their vehicles' locations, which allows them to quickly provide their customers with exact arrival times or inform them about any potential delays.

Pro tip: Ask your fleet management software provider how often their GPS trackers update with your vehicle's location and whether they offer real-time vehicle location tracking.

2. Hours of Service (HOS) compliance

There are a number of regulations that your fleet needs to stay up to date with and a good fleet management software solution can help make staying compliant easy.

One of the most important is Hours of Service compliance. HOS regulations limit the number of continuous hours that drivers can be on the road before taking a mandatory rest break. These regulations are meant to help reduce accidents caused by drowsy drivers.

As a fleet manager, you need to be able to keep accurate and up-to-date records of all your drivers' hours if you want to avoid hefty fines, or in some cases, the loss of your license to operate.

Pro tip: Be sure to ask any vendor you're considering about how they can help you stay compliant with HOS regulations.

For instance, Samsara's FMCSA-registered ELD plugs directly into your vehicle's on-board diagnostics (OBD) port and uses a built-in WiFi hotspot to transmit real-time data about your vehicles, including how long the engine is running, the speed at which it travels, and other diagnostic information.

Drivers can use the Samsara Driver App (available for both Android and iOS) to record their HOS, access records of duty status, and complete electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) in one place.

Together, these two sources of information make for a complete HOS compliance solution, without requiring you to purchase any proprietary HOS logging devices.

3. Route performance

As a fleet manager looking to reduce costs, one of the easiest ways to do that is by using fleet tracking software to figure out the most efficient routes each driver should take.

Using a software solution to analyze the performance of your past routes can help you plan the most fuel- and time-efficient routes for future deliveries and better predict departure and arrival times.

Pro tip: Look for fleet management solutions that understand your needs and prioritize making your job easier. For instance, you can use Samsara's fleet management solution to view the performance of routes in real-time. You can see whether a route is running on schedule or is completing a stop, as well as estimated arrival times that update based on live traffic and accident data.

Once a route is completed, you can go back and compare your planned route vs. the actual route the driver took. This feature lets you investigate whether your drivers were able to stay on track and make timely deliveries so you can adjust plans for your future routes based on your learnings.

Increase efficiency, reduce costs

See how our complete telematics solution drives measurable ROI.

4. Maintenance and diagnostics

How much money does your business lose each time a vehicle is taken off the road for unexpected repairs?

Whether due to accidents or regular wear and tear from daily use, vehicle downtime and fleet maintenance are some of the unavoidable realities fleet managers face. But as a fleet manager, you can either be prepared and anticipate downtime, or be caught off-guard.

Unexpected downtime costs more than just the price of replacement parts-not only do you lose out on hours or days of work, but you also risk upset customers, spoiled cargo (if you're hauling food or beverages), and drivers missing out on getting paid.

The best fleet management solutions will connect directly with your vehicle's OBD port, automatically pulling engine data like fuel use, coolant temperature, battery voltage, and vehicle health. With Samsara, you can set up the software to alert you when it's time for preventative maintenance based on time since last service check or mileage, or just get alerted if something goes wrong.

Pro tip: You want your fleet management solution to be able to monitor vehicle health and predict the need for vehicle maintenance and upcoming maintenance costs. Samsara's Vehicle Gateway plugs directly into the OBD port of your vehicle and takes under 10 minutes to install. Samsara is able to pull engine fault codes, giving fleet maintenance managers deeper insights into the health of their fleet to help them decrease vehicle downtime.

5. Safety

As a fleet manager or owner, keeping your drivers safe on the road can be a major priority. Sometimes, accidents can seem like an unavoidable part of managing a fleet, but using a fleet management system can help you identify and prevent a number of the leading causes of accidents out on the road-like speeding or aggressive driving.

Using fleet management software and implementing a driver safety program can not only help keep your drivers improve safety but also help you reduce costs related to vehicle wear and tear. Dash cams can also be an incredibly valuable source of information for fleet managers focused on improving fleet safety, by capturing footage of the road, and providing video evidence in the case of an accident.

Pro tip: Look for a fleet management system that prioritizes safety, and includes dash cams and other safety-focused features that can help keep your drivers safe on the road.

Samsara offers fleet managers the Samsara Safety Report, which compiles the accident and harsh event data collected by Samsara's dash cams and Vehicle Gateway. It then uses that data to assign each driver a safety score. These scores can help fleet managers easily identify which of their drivers might benefit from additional coaching.

Samsara's dual-facing dash cams capture high-definition video of the road as well as in-cab video of the driver. They also go a step beyond other dash cams by using AI technology to identify dangerous driver behavior, such as when drivers are distracted or drowsy. They also instantly flag and upload harsh driving events, like accidents, harsh accelerations, or sudden braking. This means that when incidents do occur, fleet managers can immediately see what happened and can use the footage to either coach or exonerate innocent drivers.

6. Fuel consumption and vehicle idling

Perhaps unsurprisingly, fuel is often one of the biggest expenses for any fleet.

This means it's important to opt for fleet management software that is able to help you identify areas where your fleet can be more fuel-efficient. Your fleet management solution should also help you track and lower vehicle idling time. Idling can be incredibly costly to fleets, in terms of greater fuel consumption, an increased need for vehicle maintenance, and even the environmental impact of unnecessary emissions released by the vehicle.

Pro tip: Consider fleet management solutions that recognize the value of monitoring fuel consumption and idling time. For instance, Samsara's Fuel Usage report shows you not only the fuel usage of all the vehicles in your fleet but also tells you the current fuel level, estimated cost, and idle time of each vehicle. If you'd like to identify which of your drivers is using the most fuel or is spending the most time idling, you can also sort the data by driver.

By analyzing fuel consumption across your fleet, you can help your drivers reduce fuel usage by planning more efficient routes and coaching them to reduce idle time.

How to choose the best fleet management software

With a range of fleet management solutions on the market, it can be difficult to choose the one that's best for your business needs.

Not only should a good fleet management software offer you the key features listed above, it should also be easy to use, easily integrate with other applications and systems, and regularly provide new updates and features. Let's take a closer look at what that means.

1. Ease of use

Your fleet management software should enable you to increase the operational efficiency of your fleet and help save you time. This means the fleet management software you choose should be easy to install, intuitive, and make it easy for you to quickly access the information you need.

Samsara's fleet management solution, for instance, is centered around the Vehicle Gateway, which is about the size of a deck of cards, plugs directly into your vehicle's OBD port, and is designed to be installed within minutes.

The data collected by the Vehicle Gateway is then presented in an easy-to-use dashboard, from which fleet managers can check the location of their vehicles, notify drivers of changing traffic conditions, and access reports such as the Route Analytics report to analyze route performance.

2. Integrations

A fleet management solution that allows you to integrate multiple systems can help you ensure that you're not missing important information.

Samsara offers an open API that makes it easy to integrate with third-party tools for routing, payroll, invoicing, HR software, and more. If you're already using a routing software like Transfinder, for instance, you can easily integrate it with Samsara fleet management software. Samsara will then automatically import your routes from Transfinder, allowing you to analyze the performance of your planned routes (using the Routes Planned vs. Actual Report), investigate driver performance, and more.

This gives you a consolidated view of all the data relevant to your fleet operations, allowing for a greater level of visibility and control with minimal manual intervention.

3. Data insights

While implementing a fleet management system can give you access to a lot of useful data about your fleet, sometimes a flood of data without context can be overwhelming. It's imperative to find a fleet management solution that can help you interpret that data and make it actionable.

A number of telematics providers do capture information about vehicle health, location, and maintenance needs, but Samsara presents the data via an intuitive and user-friendly dashboard. The dashboard allows you to view and sort your data to answer any questions you might have about your fleet.

You can use the dashboard to see how many hours each driver has when planning job assignments, set custom alerts to notify you if a driver goes above a set speed limit, or use tags to easily filter your reports. For instance, if you run a nationwide delivery company, you can tag specific vehicles or assets by city ("Austin" or "Denver") or region ("Northwest" or "Southeast"). These tags will then make it easier to filter and view your data, allowing you to track assets or compare different areas.

If safety is your priority, Samsara also provides fleet managers with a Safety Inbox to help streamline safety-related workflows. This is where you can find a list of all the safety-related incidents collected by Samsara's dash cams and Vehicle Gateway and review the footage associated with each event. You can then choose to dismiss the event or mark it for follow-up action, such as coaching a driver displaying dangerous behavior.

4. Driver mobile app

Your drivers are always on-the-go but they're still responsible for completing key tasks before, during, and after their trips. This includes managing their Hours of Service and ensuring that they're on-track to make timely deliveries.

It can be helpful to look for a telematics solution that offers a mobile app that allows your drivers to access the information they need while they're on the road.

Say, for instance, that you've just had a new urgent job come in. By using the Samsara dashboard, you can quickly see the locations of all your vehicles, and assign the job to the closest driver.

The driver is then notified of the new job, along with any traffic or route updates, through the Samsara Driver App and can plan accordingly. Drivers can also use the Driver App to create duty logs, access Hours of Service records, and see their safety scores.

Samsara's intuitive dashboard and family of integrated products are helping fleet managers keep their fleets compliant and providing them with greater visibility into their day-to-day operations.

To learn more about how Samsara's fleet management software solution can help you, ask us about our 30-day free trial.

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How to Choose the Best Fleet Management Software

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Key Takeaways As a fleet manager, getting visibility into how efficiently your fleet is running can sometimes be challenging. A fleet management system can help by giving you access to clear and actionable data about the vehicles across your entire fleet.

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See Some Fleet Management Software Features You Might Not Have Know in 2022

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See Some Fleet Management Software Features You Might Not Have Know in 2022

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The Popularity of fleet management software is rising continuously. We'll guide you through everything you need to know about this new system to see if it's right for your business.

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Fleet managers of today have to prioritize their daily tasks to manage their day-to-day responsibilities. While you may say it is "just another day in the office" it requires planning of routes, managing drivers, tracking fuel consumption, scheduling maintenance; and, the list goes on. And for effectively managing operations the line-managers are always in the need for smart solutions to manage operations.

Successfully running a fleet involves anaging drivers, plotting routes, scheduling vehicle maintenance, and tending to countless other tasks in order to keep things running. Evidently, there is a pressing need for modern solutions that can help make things easier for fleet managers. So, here is a quick guide about selecting the best fleet management software. We will start with some of the must-have features for your fleet management solution.

1. Ease of use: The idea of such a system is to help make fleet management easier for the company and that point will be defeated if the system itself is difficult to use. So, choose a solution that is simple to install, intuitive, and offers quick access to relevant information without a fuss.

2. Focus on safety: Safety is a critical goal for any fleet company, which is why the fleet management solution they choose should provide valuable input in this regard as well. It should enable monitoring driver behaviour, identify safety risks. etc.

3. Access to actionable data: Given the value data brings forth, it goes without saying that it is vital to look for a solution that can goes beyond merely gathering relevant data from across the operations. It should also be able to analyse said data and use it to provide input for improving fleet management and productivity.

Now, let us also take a look at some of the key features of a robust fleet management system:

1. Monitor fuel consumption: Even people who are vaguely familiar with the fleet industry know that one of the biggest expenses when it comes to running a fleet is the fuel. Hence, it is important to choose a solution that allows you to monitor fuel consumption patterns, vehicle idling, etc. These solutions can also be tailored to help identify any opportunities for improving the fleet's fuel-efficiency levels.

2. Fleet maintenance management: It is not news that when a fleet vehicle needs repairs, the business also stands to lose money owing to the inability to use the vehicle. This is preventable by keeping a close eye on vehicles' upkeep and status. Modern fleet management solutions can be customised to gather data such as coolant temperature, battery voltage, fuel use, etc. straight from the vehicle's OBD port.

3. Monitor driver behaviour: A critical part of any fleet manager's responsibilities is ensuring the safety of both drivers and the fleet vehicles. This primarily revolves around how the driver drives the vehicle, which means monitoring the speed, braking, etc. This information can be used to help improve driving behaviours in order to minimise the scope for accidents and ensure better levels of safety.

Given the increasingly competitive nature of the fleet and logistics industry, companies that operate fleets must absolutely upgrade their fleet management systems in order to not only keep up with the market, but also to establish a competitive edge over their rivals in the market. While there are plenty of off-the-shelf options to choose from, if one wants to achieve new-found levels of success, a system that is tailored to suit the business' unique requirements is a no-brainer. This is why it would be a good idea to start looking for a trusted name in fleet fuel management software development to help you build the right solution for your business.

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Tips To Choose Best Fleet Management Solution

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Fleet managers of today have to prioritize their daily tasks to manage their day-to-day responsibilities. While you may say it is "just another day in the office" it requires planning of routes, managing drivers, tracking fuel consumption, scheduling maintenance; and, the list goes on.