Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have improved driver functionality. The evolution of smart devices, on the other hand, has provided fleet businesses with many opportunities to boost their overall performance.
For a short period of time, smartphones have become a part of our lives. Today, we don’t go a minute without our smart devices. Fleet drivers make no exception. Furthermore, their mobile device offers functionality and connectivity from wherever they are. They are also a great opportunity for business to improve its efficiency.
However, companies need to make a number of decisions regarding which devices are best for them and how to properly manage the technology. To begin with, clear business goals, such as managing operating costs, reducing driver turnover or improving customer experience, need to be set.
Afterwards, data requirements that the fleet will need, have to be considered. The company needs to decide whether this is something that will be monitored in real-time, daily or weekly and who will have access to all this data. This decision making process could take some time, which you’ll get back immediately after you implement the technology.
The Impact of Smart Technologies on Fleets
The main decision fleet companies should make is regarding the hardware they use. There are plenty of Smart fleets enables owners to keep track of their vehicles in a real time.
Some fleet management solutions offer sophisticated features like driver behavior monitoring and API integration with existing services. Owners are able to receive instant information regarding speed, location and much more right from their smartphone.
Vehicle theft prevention is one of the many great features that come with smart fleet management. It allows you to get instant alerts during different events through email, text message or a notification from the actual app.
All these features come from the evolution of technology, Today, paper maps have been replaced by GPS systems and that’s a prime example of how it has changed the face of fleet management. The blend of connected drivers, networks and big data, creates a compelling impact on it. The well-known models of operating the fleet industry in general, have been disrupted as a result.
Intelligent Fleet and Smart Mobility
The internet of things is also something to take into consideration. Fleet management also joins that revolution by connecting vehicles and drivers to an enterprise system in real-time.
As the automotive industry constantly comes out with new, smarter vehicles, intelligent fleet automates previously labor-intensive, manual processes, adding efficiencies, which can be seen in asset utilization.
The Internet of Things provides connectivity to vehicles and drivers like never before. With this widening connectivity, the opportunities in fleet management are also expanding exponentially. Cargo operating companies have started using fleet telematics to collect real-time data information such as fuel usage, mileage ad as we mentioned insights into driver behavior.
Telematics are the on-board systems that combine GPS sensors with wireless communication, computer capabilities or video recordings. Fleet managers can obtain extensive information and intelligence from these systems including location and performance as well as a wide range of data points.
To be more certain, we are going to list some use cases of IoT that have brought higher efficiency and improvement to fleet management:
Better Visibility
The real-time visibility provided by IoT sensors allows managers to know the exact location of their cargo, while making sure of the compliance with established roads and schedules. Now they gain a great level of insight into fleet performance with automated smart fleet solutions.
Preventative Maintenance
An enterprise is able to monitor the health of your fleet remotely, using any device. Vehicle’s longevity can be ensured by providing preventative maintenance with alerts for low battery, high temperature or other inspection reminders for such factors.
Fleet managers are informed about any early sign of trouble, in order to improve the efficiency of the maintenance cycle and optimize transportation periods. Diagnosing problems could also reduce costs, as any emergency situation is avoided and downtime is minimized. Efficient maintenance is a key factor for a profitable fleet business.
Improved Safety and Security
Safety on the job should always be a mandatory practice, especially when it comes to business with fleets. Fatigue, for instance, often results in serious accidents. When this happens, the business is vulnerable and can be held liable for negligence and face hefty workers compensation claims. Sometimes this leads to civil lawsuits.
To help fleet business avoid such situations, intelligent systems notify for any abuse of vehicle, by collecting data of speeding, vehicle maintenance scheduling status or harsh braking. This helps for reducing work-related risks and for complying with health regulations. Furthermore, it ensures the safety of the employees, vehicles and goods.
Smart Fleets Could Save Your Business
The evolution of technology plays a key role in adding efficiency to the sector. Smart fleet management is now more important than ever. The new intelligent systems will help you save money, while reducing traffic fatalities.
As enterprises choose to outsource fleet management, higher level of control kept in-house is a must. Choosing smart connected technologies is currently the best thing to do for your business. It will help you ensure smoother operations and a healthier organization.