Companies that consider their transport as a crucial part of their daily routine require managers to supervise the progress of each driver. However, it is inefficient for them to pay attention to every ongoing task. Therefore, utilising a fleet management system allows them to monitor all company cars while leaving them more time to accomplish their other tasks.

One of the most crucial parts of a mobile fleet maintenance tucson az is a vehicle GPS tracking device that companies install on their transports. Through this equipment, managers can determine the location, direction, and speed of their trucks. It gives businesses a comprehensive view of their drivers and their progress.

However, a lack of experience and familiarity with a fleet management system may cause supervisors to make several mistakes. While committing these errors may provide valuable lessons, companies would prefer not to take the consequences of wrong practices and decisions. Therefore, the next best move is to become aware of these mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

Read this article and learn about these eight mistakes that supervisors should never make if they want to maximise their fleet management system.

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Fleet Management System

Not Maximising Your Transports

Productivity is one of the most crucial aspects that companies aim to maintain or improve every day. Additionally, maximising profits is another priority. Over the years, the number of transports may increase. This brings the question of whether managers are fully utilising their available cars. Chances are that you have overused trucks or gathered dust in your garage.

One solution you can do to address this issue is through a vehicle GPS tracking system. The information it gathers allows you to determine which transports are used more often than others and which ones are idling in your garage.

Allowing Idle Moments

Idle transports waste fuel, which increases the daily expenses of the company. Therefore, supervisors need to inspect their fleet management and vehicle GPS tracking system to see which drivers spend the most time doing nothing. Usually, their daily tasks may not be enough. Assign new delivery assignments to them to ensure that your employees are on the road.

However, it is possible that the weekly plans you make for everyone are not enough to cover their shift. Analysing the data you gather from your fleet management system allows you to see which areas need improvement. Remember that every minute a driver spends idling is a potential revenue loss.

Skipping Maintenance

Broken transports provide nothing for the company. Therefore, supervisors must conduct necessary maintenance to ensure that every truck remains in working condition. However, it can be difficult to manually note the last time each vehicle underwent maintenance.

A fleet management system allows supervisors to tabulate when their transports undergo maintenance. Furthermore, this data makes it easier to track the vehicle’s history and decide based on the information.

Aside from learning when a transport should undergo maintenance, companies need to invest in safety equipment. For example, a driver monitoring system helps those on the road to travel safely. The device alerts them if they show signs of drowsiness, which can affect their level of alertness.

Keeping Maintenance Crew in the Dark

In connection with transport maintenance, the staff responsible for the condition of all the trucks of the company must be updated with relevant information. The data from a vehicle GPS tracking device, which it transmits to your fleet management system, can help them accomplish their daily tasks.

Poor Communication

Managing dozens of transports using a fleet management system requires excellent communication between supervisors and drivers. Managers need to be aware of everything happening on the road, while operators should inform management of traffic-related issues, such as accidents and ongoing construction. Without proper communication, companies may fall into confusion leading to late delivery times.

Letting Your Drivers Pick Their Route

While your drivers may have adequate experience to deal with possible issues they might encounter on the road, managers shouldn’t rely on their judgement to pick the best route all the time. One of the primary advantages of why companies install vehicle GPS tracking devices on their transports is that it calculates and suggests the most efficient way to reach the destination.

Not Investing in Safety Equipment

Your drivers are at risk of traffic accidents every moment they spend on the road. As mentioned previously, a broken truck provides nothing to the company. Therefore, managers must invest in quality safety equipment to ensure their operators arrive at their destination with no harm.

Aside from a driver monitoring system, installing a blind spot detection sensor provides your operators with another pair of eyes to alert them of potential accidents, giving them time to avoid them. However, it is essential to remember that your drivers shouldn’t rely on them.

Developing Unrealistic Plans

Optimising how supervisors use their fleet management system starts by developing a plan involving various changes and improvements that will benefit the company. However, one of the most dangerous risks is when managers formulate proposals without considering the current data. Without consulting this valuable information, the projects and changes they make will most likely be unrealistic given the current situation.

Conclusion

A fleet management system is an excellent tool that allows companies to supervise their transports without sacrificing other administrative tasks. Managers can set up alerts and notifications to inform them of trucks going in and out of vital places. Using a vehicle GPS tracking device allows them to pinpoint accurate locations, set up the most efficient routes, and reduce idle drivers.

However, managers are prone to making mistakes when using a fleet management system. Therefore, they must become familiar with them if companies wish to avoid paying the consequences of these wrong actions.

Aside from vehicle GPS tracking devices, Guardian SEA offers effective fleet management solutions that can help you run your business better. Some of these include safety products, such as a blind spot monitoring system to reduce the risk of accidents. Visit their website to learn more.