Today, small fleets face similar challenges to those faced by larger ones. Some of those include compliance and the increasing costs of running a business. Even if you only have a small number of vehicles, you might have considerable challenges. So, if you're looking for ways to cut your costs, investing in technology is a clear first step. If you find your company facing similar challenges, you are not the only one, and the good news is you do not need to start from scratch. You can gain some great ideas by looking at more prominent companies.
Preventing Hours of Service Violations
Complying with regulations is a critical part of reducing costs in the form of fines. Technology makes it easier to comply with electronic logging device (ELD) regulations since you can automate the process. Using an ELD compliance solution like Samsara.com lets you lower compliance costs while connecting your operations. Advanced solutions let drivers automate the process by efficiently collecting information like the number of miles driven and the vehicle's motion status. When you can automatically record idle time, driving time, and other factors, your drivers can better see how long they've been working that day. It ensures they take breaks as required.
Investing in Smart Maintenance
If your vehicles aren't running, your company isn't earning anything. Unexpected downtime is a challenge many companies with fleets face. Not only do you need to pay for repairs, but you are also losing time - and money. If your vehicle gets sidelined, your company could lose hundreds every day in lost revenue. Plus, your organization's reputation depends on meeting deadlines on time, something that a lack of vehicles might hinder. Without a reputable truck or car, you're likely to miss out on business opportunities. To prevent unplanned downtime, you'll want to consider preventative maintenance. With new tools like telematics, it is not difficult to find vehicles in need of repairs. Each manufacturer likely has a recommended schedule, or you might create your calendar based on how much you drive.
Using Technology to Ensure Fuel Gets Used Efficiently
Business costs are steadily increasing, and one of the reasons is that fuel is becoming more expensive. Although there isn't much you can do about how much you'll pay for a gallon of fuel, you can strive to get the most out of each one. By saving as much energy as you can, you can cut your costs. One way of doing that is by encouraging drivers to develop good habits to avoid wasting them. Telematics can help you identify and correct issues like aggressive driving and idling. For instance, trucks use a lot of fuel while idling, and long-haul ones often waste more. Aggressive driving can reduce fuel efficiency when your drivers face stop and go traffic. Technology is helpful for:
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Tracking the amount of gas or diesel each vehicle uses and identifying which ones use the most
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Correcting poor habits with coaching and reeducation
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Finding the drivers who have inefficient habits
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Tracking the consumption once you have corrected these habits
