Fleet management technology has become the backbone of modern vehicle operations. These days, managing a fleet without advanced technology is like navigating a complicated route without GPS—it’s possible, but far from efficient.
Your fleet management tech stack acts as a central nervous system for your operations, connecting you to every aspect of your fleet. From real-time tracking that functions like a fleet-wide dashboard to predictive maintenance that serves as an early warning system, these electronic fleet management systems are indispensable.
Read on to explore the technology used in fleet management, and examine how fleet telematics and other innovations steer you toward greater efficiency. You’ll learn about their impact on daily operations, and how you can use these tools to accelerate past the competition.
What is Fleet Management Technology?
Fleet management technology is a set of software tools that helps fleet managers extend fleet vehicle lifecycles, optimize performance, prevent excessive costs, and smooth daily operations.
At first glance, you might think your fleet can get by on spreadsheets and paper receipts.
However, fleet management technology and software can give you more time to dedicate to strategic tasks such as identifying fuel efficiency roadblocks.
Advantages of Using Fleet Management Technology
From enhancing technical management to improving driver retention, fleet management software provides comprehensive solutions to common challenges. Here are some key benefits you can unlock:
- Assists fleet technical management by streamlining engineering activities surrounding fleet maintenance. This centralized approach allows better tracking of resources and tools needed to service vehicles.
Enables proactive fleet maintenance through electronic devices and automated alerts in software. By identifying potential issues before they escalate, this predictive approach extends vehicle lifespans and reduces unexpected downtime. - Automates expense management with electronic tools that handle approvals and flag exceptional purchases. This saves time and improves financial control by automatically categorizing expenses and preventing unauthorized spending.
- Improves driver retention by monitoring safety, ensuring optimal fleet condition, and boosting morale. By creating a safer, more efficient work environment, and providing fair performance assessments, fleet management technology significantly enhances driver satisfaction.
- Prevents gas theft using automated controls to flag suspicious purchases and restrict transactions based on geolocation. Disable cards remotely and set precise limits on fuel purchases, reducing fraud and unnecessary expenses.
How Technology is Transforming Fleet Management
The evolution of fleet management technology is revolutionizing the way businesses oversee their vehicle operations. From enhanced control mechanisms to increased flexibility, these advancements are driving unprecedented efficiencies.
You have access to better fleet controls through advanced fleet management systems. These systems provide real-time insights into vehicle locations, driver behavior, and maintenance needs, allowing for more precise and responsive management of fleet resources.
Your fleet managers will have more time to solve complex efficiency issues by automating routine tasks. With technology handling day-to-day operations, you can focus on strategic planning and optimization, leading to significant improvements in overall fleet performance.
Your team gets increased flexibility, enabled by new technology like open-loop gas cards. These advanced payment solutions offer greater versatility in fuel purchasing options, allowing drivers to refuel at a wider range of locations while still maintaining strict spending controls.
3 Critical Components of a Fleet Management Technology Stack
A comprehensive fleet management technology stack is crucial for improving fleet operations and efficiency. The three main components of this stack are:
- Telematics
- Smart fuel cards
- Fleet management software
Let’s look at these one by one.
Fleet Technology Component #1 – Telematics
Telematics is a game-changer in modern fleet management technology. It provides you with a wealth of valuable data about your vehicles’ performance and your drivers’ behavior.
First, you’ll need to equip your fleet vehicles with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). These aren’t just fancy gadgets—they’re a regulatory requirement. ELDs ensure you’re complying with hours-of-service regulations, keeping you on the right side of the law.
But. these devices do much more than tick regulatory boxes. They’re your eyes and ears on the road, capturing crucial vehicle data (like miles driven and engine performance) that helps you track trends and stay ahead of maintenance issues.
By leveraging this data, you can significantly increase your fleet vehicles’ lifecycles. It’s like having a crystal ball that shows you exactly when each vehicle needs attention. This proactive approach saves you money and keeps your vehicles on the road longer.
With telematics ensuring top-notch maintenance, you ensure your drivers are operating well-oiled vehicles. Telematics can also flag indicators of poor driving habits, like excessive idling or inefficient acceleration. Armed with this information, you can provide targeted training to your drivers, improving fuel efficiency and reducing wear and tear on your vehicles.
Fleet Technology Component #2 – Smart Gas Cards
Open loop smart gas cards automate expense management, taking the headache out of tracking and approving fuel purchases. But that’s just the start of what they can do for your fleet.
One of the biggest perks of open-loop gas cards is the flexibility they offer your drivers. Instead of being tied to specific fuel stations, your team can fill up wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted (Coast’s smart fuel cards work everywhere Visa is accepted).
This means less time searching for approved locations and more time on the road, boosting overall productivity.
Security features like SMS check-in workflows prevent misuse and theft. For instance, each Coast card is tied to a pre-approved phone number, significantly reducing the risk of theft or skimming. Even if your driver misplaces their card, no one else can use it.
Coast’s SMS check in workflow ensures only authorized employees use your cards
You can also remotely disable it with just a few clicks. This quick action can save you from unauthorized charges and give you peace of mind. Controls like these have helped DynaServ eliminate roadblocks for drivers when refueling.
However, the real magic happens when you integrate these cards with your telematics system.
Suddenly, you’re not just tracking purchases—you’re automating spending controls based on vehicle statuses and your policies. For instance, if a fuel purchase exceeds a vehicle’s tank capacity, you’ll get an alert, indicating possible fuel theft.
If your drivers try to fill up outside a pre-approved zone, you can verify the purchase and document the reason. This feature adds another layer of control, ensuring your fuel cards are only used within designated areas.
By implementing these cards, you’re not just modernizing your operations; you’re taking a significant step towards more efficient and secure fleet management.
As powerful as these two components are, there is a third fleet technology component that brings them together to give you complete oversight of your fleet.
Fleet Technology Component #3 – Fleet Management Software
At the heart of every efficient fleet operation lies powerful fleet management software. This is the command center for your entire fleet—a central hub where all your fleet data converges, giving you a bird’s-eye view of your operations.
Whether it’s vehicle maintenance schedules, driver performance, or fuel efficiency, fleet management software puts it at your fingertips. It also helps you discover trends that might otherwise go unnoticed, allowing you to make informed decisions that can significantly impact your bottom line—as Leros Transportation Group was able to do.
For instance, you might notice a vehicle’s fuel expenses are increasing. You can then dig into performance data and driver behavior to uncover the root cause, all in one platform.
One of the most powerful features of fleet management software is its ability to zero in on vehicle-level issues. This granular view helps you identify problems early, address them promptly, and ultimately minimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for each vehicle.
In-depth reports and analytics give you actionable insights that drive your fleet’s efficiency through the roof. Want to know which routes are most fuel-efficient? Curious about which drivers consistently perform best? Wondering how your maintenance costs stack up against industry benchmarks? Your fleet management software has got you covered.
You can make data-driven decisions that boost your fleet’s performance across the board. With this powerful ally by your side, you’re well-equipped to drive your fleet forward.
Unlock Greater Efficiency with Fleet Management Technology
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the complexities of managing a fleet, you’re not alone. With the right technology, you can transform your fleet into an efficient machine that never breaks down.
- Telematics devices act as your eyes and ears on the road.
- Smart fuel cards put you in control of expenses.
- Fleet management software brings everything together, helping you make sense of the data and spot trends that can save you time and money.
Modern smart fuel cards like Coast are powering fleets and putting them in control of expenses while boosting ROI. Learn what Coast’s smart Visa fleet fuel cards can do for your business.
Apply in minutes