If your business operates a fleet, you will already know how essential it is for your overall success. This is particularly the case when the fleet is your primary revenue source, which can be seen with organizations such as freighting and couriering.
Due to its importance, this is all the more reason to continually explore different ways to enhance the efficiency of your fleet. In general, this can be done by measuring and tracking fleet statistics and then using these statistics to implement changes wherever necessary.
With this in mind, here are four golden rules for improving fleet efficiency.
Utilize Management Software
Forget about continuing with the pen and paper method to manage your fleet. Not only does this take up precious time, it is also prone to issues created by human error. The alternative is to go paperless by implementing specialist management software such as Samsara.
With Samsara ELD, you can directly track any vehicle and gain information about when the engine is on, the vehicle’s speed, safety information, and so on. With these statistics, it’s possible to analyze and improve all aspects of the fleet.
Limit the Need for Vehicle Maintenance
Maintenance issues such as breakdowns, general wear and tear, and tire replacements can all affect efficiency. Vehicles are kept out of commission for an indefinite amount of time. The longer they’re off the road, the more it will reduce efficiency levels.
Due to this, preventative maintenance for your vehicles is essential. Regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance could be a solution. However, the more effective method would be to utilize software that continually tracks in real time the health of a vehicle. It can identify potential concerns ahead of time, which allows a vehicle to be serviced before it causes problems.
Consider Gasoline Costs
Gasoline is one of the biggest concerns for fleets, particularly those with a large number of vehicles on the road. This is due to the fluctuating nature of fuel prices. Even a small gasoline price increase could have a significant financial impact on a business.
As a result, it is imperative for your business to keep general gasoline costs down to an absolute minimum. This can be assisted by using fuel-efficient vehicles. If your company’s current vehicles are guzzling through gas at an alarming rate, swap them. Although it’s a significant cost initially, acquiring more effective vehicles will pay off in the long term.
This isn’t all that can be done to reduce fuel consumption. Taking more strategic routes could lower fuel needs. Even training your employees to drive with fuel efficiency in mind can help.
Improve Customer Service
If you take the time to improve customer service, this can enhance your business in multiple ways. Most importantly, it will boost customer satisfaction while enhancing efficiency at the same time.
How can customer service be improved upon? Simple points such as answering a phone quicker can help in a small way. More effective would be to speed up the ability to process orders. Additionally, the ability to swiftly resolve any customer problems will help with this aspect of the company.
