With increased global competitiveness, all businesses are looking for ways to increase profit and drive down cost in 2017.
Businesses that make use of a fleet of vehicles are no different, in fact there are several challenges that these companies face. Challenges such as increased fuel cost, maintenance due to potholes and bad driving behavior, labour inefficiencies as well as stringent regulations. As such, productivity and vehicle tracking apps are not fitting the brief anymore. More and more advanced solutions are required to increase fleet productivity in order to offset the rise in day-to-day operations.
So in 2017 it is important to be on the lookout for the following trend in fleet telematics:
- Integration of multiple applications
Fleet telematics cannot survive by having a one-solution-fit-all approach. Fleet management companies worth their salt needs to be open-platform, which would allow other software providers to add significant value to various industries and businesses. Thus, this would allow Fleet Management companies to have tailor-made solutions for every business.
- Predictive reports
Many companies have off-the-shelf solutions that can provide businesses with never-ending information. It is how this information is worked and re-worked to provide the user with predictive steps to make significant improvements, which will make the difference. 2017 will see ‘smart’ fleet management solutions stand out from the crowd.
- Efficient maintenance
It’s a known fact that efficient and timely maintenance keeps fleets on the road and running without hassle, saving both time and money. As of 2017, look for Fleet telematics solutions that provide the user with predictive maintenance reminders as well as real-time vehicle diagnostics. This would ensure that one’s fleet is always in great health and you are never caught off-guard.
- Fuel monitoring
Fuel remains the most expensive running cost for any fleet. It is therefore no surprise that if one can keep fuel cost to a low it would significantly improve the company’s bottom-line. In-depth knowledge about fuel usage and the effect that driving behaviour has on it is thus essential. In today’s tech-advanced world Fleet Telematics companies should be able to supply businesses with real-time monitoring and route selection, based on lowest fuel consumption.
- Safety
Governments are implementing constant safety regulations and policies designed to increase safety on the road. Make sure that your fleet telematics supplier takes safety as serious as it needs be. Active monitoring of the drivers wakefulness and if he/she is wearing a safety belt are some of the standard features that 2017 solutions should provide.
- Video
What is the 21st century without quality video? Dash cams and other real-time video surveillance devices are the next step in driver and vehicle safety. Quality Fleet Management companies should even be able to offer advanced vehicle collision avoidance systems that make use of 2017 video technologies.
Author: Sonja Dickinson, Personal Assistant to the Managing Director – GEOTAB AFRICA
