Fleet Performance Management Features & Benefits

Managing fleet performance can help you ensure that your fleet runs efficiently, timeously and within your budget. Utilising this tool will make the fleet manager's job a breeze as it streamlines the decision-making process, enabling the organization to operate optimally.  

Overall, telematics ensures a more connected fleet. Whether you need assistance with asset management, dispatch and routing or vehicle acquisition and disposal, fleet performance management will help to cover all your bases.

CORE ASPECTS OF FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEMS

The fleet management industry is one filled with its fair share of trials and tribulations. At MiX, we are dedicated to collecting and communicating information that gives fleet operators actionable insight into their fleet’s performance.

Fleet performance can be monitored with the use of tools like GPS tracking and in-cab and road-facing cameras. Used in tandem with telematics software, like MiX Fleet Manager, fleet managers can have access to:

• Live tracking
• Driver Safety analysis
• Real-time driver feedback
• Route planning &management
• Fuel usage monitoring, and
• AI-powered video

Implementing a fully integrated MiX by Powerfleet solution provides fleet managers with comprehensive, precise data that will return tangible results.

ANALYSING FLEET PERFORMANCE

Fleet operators can analyse fleet performance by monitoring specific key performance indicators (KPIs), which can be done via MiX KPI Manager. Fleet managers can use this tool to set actionable organizational goals, track progress and manage any problem areas that may arise.

When taking a deeper look into fleet performance and considering what makes one operate optimally, these are three core pillars to take note of. Within these sections, there are KPIs to further refine the analysis of your fleet’s performance.

SAFETY

The safety and security of a fleet is a key indicator to note when trying the gauge how well it’s performing. Negligence in this regard is not only dangerous for your drivers but it can offset your fleet’s productivity. Eventually, this can have a domino effect on your bottom line due to costly repairs or having to acquire new vehicles to replace what’s been damaged.

Considering this, fleet performance managers should keep an eagle eye on indicators of dangerous driving. Driver behaviours to take note of are:

• Speeding
• Harsh braking
• Accidents and crashes
• Poor corner handling

By monitoring these behaviors fleet managers can help stop them in their tracks, correct any recklessness and help prevent crashes going forward. By prioritizing the safety of your employees, vehicles, and assets you’re creating an environment where your fleet can flourish. After all, a safe fleet is an efficient fleet.

EFFICIENCY

Regardless of which industry you work in or your business goals, being efficient is crucial. This is because efficiency equals productivity, saving you time and helping you cut unnecessary costs.

Fleet performance management can help operators build and maintain an efficient fleet by giving them clear-cut analytics on their fleet’s performance. This visibility helps them identify where they’re falling short and recognise areas they need to improve on.

KPI metrics fleet managers should track regarding fuel efficiency are:

• Empty miles
• Fuel consumption
• Idling
• Fleet asset utilization

An efficient fleet is conscious of fuel consumption, receives regular maintenance, and uses optimal fleet delivery routes and schedules.

COMPLIANCE

Fleet vehicles and their drivers spend days on end on the road, having to perform optimally irrespective of the many obstacles that stand in their way —like terrible road conditions, bad weather or traffic. Over and above everything else, they must be compliant with the rules of the road.

Hours of Service (HOS) is a central objective of the ELD and aims to regulate the number of weekly driving and working hours drivers should stick to and how much rest they should take between driving stints. All compliance KPIs link back to this.

Compliance KPIs fleet operators need to monitor are:

• Hours of Service violation reporting
• Driver’s available hours
• Any unassigned mileage per vehicle

Being compliant entails abiding by driving laws, regularly maintaining your vehicles or assets, and sticking rigidly to safety standards.

CHALLENGES FACED BY FLEET MANAGERS

FUEL MANAGEMENT

Fleet fuel prices are at an all-time high which makes fuelling your fleet an (expensive) nightmare. Moreover, these prices are constantly fluctuating, making it impossible to foresee how much it’s going to cost to fill up your fleet from month to month.

MANAGING DRIVERS

Managing and maintaining a relationship with your drivers is an integral part of fleet management, although it can also be one of the biggest challenges.

As you’ve put money into training your drivers and acquiring vehicles, you have a vested interest in them adding value to your operation, and not damaging assets with hazardous driving or negligence. As drivers are constantly on the road, managers can’t contact them by messaging or calling them. This can throw a real spanner in the works in terms of communication.

In the same breath, fleet operators are responsible for fostering an environment where safety is a priority. This can be done by implementing a thorough driver safety program and ensuring that all employees are educated on the rules of the road and all traffic and compliance regulations.

TIME-CONSUMING ADMIN

Fleet management can be a time-consuming and expensive feat. Whether you’re invoicing, keeping clients in the loop, dispatching or scheduling maintenance checks — this especially tedious if you’re managing everything manually. Moreover, this can have a ripple effect on other aspects of your business, reducing overall productivity.

VEHICLE ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE

Getting your vehicle serviced routinely can be a prominent pain point for fleet operators. This is because vehicle acquisition and maintenance are costly and play a central role in the efficiency of your fleet.

For example, a breakdown or car crash coming out of the blue can be a major disruption to productivity and lead to delays. Repairs of the damage these incidents cause will also be an additional cost, and things can add up if your vehicle has not been regularly serviced.

HOW FLEET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT CAN BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS

With the above in mind, utilising a fleet performance management solution can rectify and even prevent major challenges that fleet managers deal with regularly.  

Telematics solutions can automate tasks, like logging driver hours and issuing maintenance reminders. The automation of these typically paper-based tasks helps to avoid miscommunication and human error, helping to amplify customer experience and safeguard your brand’s reputation.

Additionally, it equips your fleet to help meet compliance requirements by transmitting data to the relevant enforcement officers and alerting drivers when compliance requirements aren’t met. The fleet management system also records and captures trip data, making it simple for operations to review and analyse.

Fleet performance management can help fleet managers keep an eagle eye on excessive fuel use and risky driver behaviours, like harsh breaking or unnecessary idling. This solution also assists in route tracking in real-time, helping to ensure optimal routes are being utilised. This wastes fuel, which in turn wastes money and leads to your efficiency plummeting. This can also have negative ramifications on driver and vehicle safety.

By closely monitoring driver behaviour, operators can create a culture of responsibility and accountability amongst their drivers. This also gives drivers the chance to be rewarded or incentivised for quality performance. Alternatively, it could also spot where additional training needs to come into play, helping to build an optimised fleet and boosting employee satisfaction.

Fleet management can benefit your fleet’s safety by monitoring and recording driver behaviour and compiling this information into customisable reports. Fleet operators have constant access to this data, allowing them to identify who is engaging in dangerous behaviour on the roads.

As previously mentioned, MiX offers an in-cab video solution that records footage of trips. This gives fleet managers access to the cause and aftermath of any road incidents.

Fleet management can also benefit an operation’s security. This circles back to the constant stream of information managers receive regarding asset details, like which are over-consuming electricity and fuel, or whether any vehicles are unaccounted for. This data is easily accessible via an online platform, simplifying the risk management process. This system allows for extra safety precautions with electric tagging, beacons and geofencing.

The above benefits are indicative of the holistic coverage and support a fleet performance management solution can offer. All in all, with MiX by Powerfleet you know you’re getting a quality service that will return tangible results.  

Learn more about how fleet management can benefit your business here.