The logistics industry is not the easiest industry to operate in. Your days as a fleet manager consist of truck schedules, driver routes, cargo deadlines, and unexpected delays. Until fleet management software saved my business.
I’ve been in the tough grind too—managing trucks, dispatching drivers, rerouting cargo in real-time, and racing against vessel departure times.
When I started in logistics, we had just three trucks. By year nine, we had 12, and let me tell you, scaling up without fleet management software would have been impossible.
If you’re not using this technology yet, you’re probably losing money and time. Please drop the spreadsheets and clipboard and hear me out.
Here are five shocking facts about fleet management software that could save your logistics operation.
Are you wasting resources without knowing it?
Fuel was one of my company’s biggest expenses in logistics, and small inefficiencies add up fast.
Fleet management software enables fleet managers to monitor vehicles, equipment, and drivers from a single application.
I once discovered one of our trucks was taking a longer, less fuel-efficient route because a driver preferred a route along the ocean. Without fleet management software tracking fuel usage and route efficiency, we wouldn’t have caught it.
With the right system, you get real-time reports on fuel consumption, driver habits, and idling time.
You can set up alerts for fuel-wasting behaviors and optimize routes automatically.
The shocking fact: Once we implemented fleet management software, there was enough extra money to reward drivers with a bonus – for delivering well in fast time. No more wasted resources.
Do you use real-time tracking to stay in control?
I once had a truck that needed to deliver cargo two hours away from our warehouse. I suspected this driver was pulling over for too many “smoke breaks.”
Once I implemented fleet management software, I could see how long a driver stopped on the road and ensured the driver was following the automated route.
The shocking fact: After implementing the software, my customers raved about their speedy, on time deliveries. The drivers also realized they couldn’t outsmart the real-time tracking.
How to stop regular truck breakdowns with fleet management software
Truck breakdowns are no joke, especially during an urgent cargo delivery to port, for example. I had to call a port captain once and beg to hold the shipment.
This technology for fleets helps you stay on top of your vehicle’s condition.
You get alerts for maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about missed deliveries.
The shocking fact: Preventative maintenance can save your company money and late shipments.
Can I reroute cargo with fleet management software?
Yes, of course you can. Let me demonstrate how you can do this.
One time, we had a warehouse suddenly reject a cargo load due to a capacity issue. We had to find another warehouse fast, reroute the truck, and notify the driver in real-time.
Fleet management software helps you stay on top of your vehicle’s condition by providing access to crucial vehicle data.
Here’s how this technology saves your operations:
- You can instantly update routes, send live notifications to drivers.
- Ensure drivers get to the right destination without confusion.
- No more frantic calls, missed emails, or unnecessary delays.
The shocking fact: You can reroute cargo in real-time so your cargo movements run smoothly.
How do I scale my delivery fleet easily?
The answer, my friend, is fleet management software.
Growing from three to 12 trucks could have been really difficult if we were still using clipboards, spreadsheets and the phone to plan truck movements.
But with fleet management software, it was smooth.
We were able to track every truck, manage additional drivers, and ensure our operation ran on time.
Instead of getting overwhelmed by more moving parts, the software helped us streamline operations, improve scheduling, and optimize delivery routes.
The shocking fact: Fleet management software makes scaling hassle-free and profitable.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
