Every organization requires a fleet of vehicles for various reasons. A logistics business requires delivery vehicles, while other companies may need them to transfer crew and equipment to project sites. Whatever the side or purpose of your fleet, efficiency matters the most. Lack of management can cause immense loss to your business and even affect efficacy, productivity, and reputation in the long run. Not surprisingly, business owners are more vigilant about managing their fleets proactively. Here are signs that you must consider reworking your fleet management system sooner than later.
Sign #1- Rising maintenance costs
Fleet maintenance costs can become painful if your vehicles constantly break down. The reasons could vary from outdated vehicles to poor driving habits and an ineffective maintenance schedule. Either way, you may end up toppling your budget due to excessive spending on vehicle maintenance. It is a sign to rethink fleet management with better tools to issue alerts regarding maintenance requirements. Further, implement a regular inspection and repair schedule for vehicles to resolve small issues before they become big problems.
Sign #2- Increase in fuel consumption
An unprecedented increase in fuel consumption is definitely a reason to worry because it can eat into your profits sooner than you imagine. With the growing fuel prices, high consumption can become a massive challenge for an organization. Consider implementing a new fleet management system to monitor fuel consumption trends, pinpoint overuse of fuel, and identify driver behaviors leading to wastage. You can also switch to shorter and traffic-free routes to lower fuel bills.
Sign #3- Delays and missed appointments
Another telltale sign to watch out for is frequent delays and missed appointments. You must rework your fleet management system to deal with issues like your vehicles getting stuck in traffic or encountering mechanical issues on the road. The worst thing about delayed deliveries and missed appointments is that they can affect your relationship with customers and tarnish your business reputation. Smartening up your system can help you visualize the current traffic situation and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Sign #4- Employee accountability issues
Poor accountability and productivity of your drivers is another problematic situation. If your crew wastes too much time on a single project, use vehicles for personal errands, and extends lunch breaks, you must pay heed to these red flags. Upgrading your fleet management technology is the ideal solution to maintaining better visibility and control over employee activities.
Sign #5- Frequent accidents
Accidents can be the worst thing for a business because they can cost a fortune. Beyond spending on damage repairs, you may face accident lawsuits and lose business opportunities. An unexplained spike in the number of mishaps in your fleet requires attention. You must install sensors and telematics to vehicles to get valuable insights about driver negligence and vehicle issues. For example, you can get data on negligent actions such as speeding, tight cornering, and hard braking and leverage it to train or replace drivers.
Fleet problems should be on top of your checklist because overlooking them can land you in deep trouble. Check these signs, and act quickly if you encounter one or more of them.