How Does an Asset Control System Help Fleet Managers?
What is fleet management, and how can an asset control system help perform that function more efficiently? Fleet management is the operation and maintenance of vehicles that are necessary to run a business. You might hear the terms “fleet vehicles” and “commercial vehicles” used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two.
To be considered as such, fleet vehicles must be owned not by an individual but rather an organization, business, large corporation or agency; these vehicles are not privately owned. Fleet vehicles don’t have to be large in size; they can be a compact car, mid-size sedan or a large van or truck. The only stipulation is that they are owned by a business instead of an individual.
Commercial vehicles may also be fleet vehicles. For example, trucking companies own fleets of 18-wheelers deployed across the country which transport everything from heavy equipment to building materials, food, chemicals and hazardous materials, just to name a few examples.
An Excel spreadsheet simply can’t compete with a dynamic asset control system that presents your data in real time. At any moment, a fleet manager can determine the exact whereabouts and condition of a vehicle, examine its complete maintenance history, schedule maintenance, or look up its current mileage, for example. An asset control system connects all stakeholders involved in the lifecycle of a fleet vehicle, improving both accountability and accuracy. Closing the communication loop makes it far easier to identify asset shortages, employee shortages or any changes in the field that require a fast response. With the ability to analyze data at both the micro and macro levels, fleet managers are better equipped to anticipate seasonal fluctuations and other patterns that affect drivers’ ability to provide the service their customers expect.
Tracking vehicle maintenance is an especially critical aspect of a fleet manager’s job. When a manager is responsible for a large fleet, keeping up with routine maintenance for every one of those vehicles can be incredibly challenging. An asset control system enables managers to set up custom notifications and alerts for each vehicle so they don’t fall through the cracks, so to speak, and break down unnecessarily. Having the complete maintenance history for any vehicle at their fingertips also means that fleet managers can identify when a vehicle has been headed to the shop repeatedly for the same issue. In that case, it may be time for a more extensive overhaul or even a replacement.
Asset Panda’s mobile asset control system places the lifecycle of your entire fleet in the palm of your hand. Our completely customizable features and simple interface empower fleet managers to track their assets any way they want in real time.
Commercial Vehicles vs. Fleet Vehicles
Commercial vehicles are intended to transport either large groups of passengers or large quantities of goods. It comes as no surprise, then, that commercial vehicles are larger in size, like vans and trucks, for example. Commercial vehicles may be owned by individuals, companies or corporations.To be considered as such, fleet vehicles must be owned not by an individual but rather an organization, business, large corporation or agency; these vehicles are not privately owned. Fleet vehicles don’t have to be large in size; they can be a compact car, mid-size sedan or a large van or truck. The only stipulation is that they are owned by a business instead of an individual.
Commercial vehicles may also be fleet vehicles. For example, trucking companies own fleets of 18-wheelers deployed across the country which transport everything from heavy equipment to building materials, food, chemicals and hazardous materials, just to name a few examples.
What Does a Fleet Manager Do?
Tracking the whereabouts of vehicles is a critical part of any fleet manager’s job. However, fleet management is about much more than tracking location. With the aid of an asset control system, fleet managers track the maintenance and performance of fleet vehicles, as well. That includes everything from fuel consumption and fuel costs, vehicle servicing, driver routes and mileage, licensing and registration, compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation laws and regulations, vehicle inspection, driver scheduling, vehicle leasing and purchasing, and so much more.How an Asset Control System Helps
The complexity of these logistics requires the support of a platform that’s accurate, reliable and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An asset control system enables fleet managers to outsource these functions and eliminate the human error commonly associated with manual tracking processes.An Excel spreadsheet simply can’t compete with a dynamic asset control system that presents your data in real time. At any moment, a fleet manager can determine the exact whereabouts and condition of a vehicle, examine its complete maintenance history, schedule maintenance, or look up its current mileage, for example. An asset control system connects all stakeholders involved in the lifecycle of a fleet vehicle, improving both accountability and accuracy. Closing the communication loop makes it far easier to identify asset shortages, employee shortages or any changes in the field that require a fast response. With the ability to analyze data at both the micro and macro levels, fleet managers are better equipped to anticipate seasonal fluctuations and other patterns that affect drivers’ ability to provide the service their customers expect.
Tracking vehicle maintenance is an especially critical aspect of a fleet manager’s job. When a manager is responsible for a large fleet, keeping up with routine maintenance for every one of those vehicles can be incredibly challenging. An asset control system enables managers to set up custom notifications and alerts for each vehicle so they don’t fall through the cracks, so to speak, and break down unnecessarily. Having the complete maintenance history for any vehicle at their fingertips also means that fleet managers can identify when a vehicle has been headed to the shop repeatedly for the same issue. In that case, it may be time for a more extensive overhaul or even a replacement.
Asset Panda’s mobile asset control system places the lifecycle of your entire fleet in the palm of your hand. Our completely customizable features and simple interface empower fleet managers to track their assets any way they want in real time.
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