Getting your fleet London-ready

Fleet management is a term that is used to describe the process of managing a company's vehicle fleet. It involves tasks such as planning and procuring vehicles, fuel optimisation, scheduling, and routine maintenance and repairs, managing driver behaviour, and utilising telematics to improve overall efficiency.

Fleet management can help improve efficiency and optimise vehicle use. It can also help reduce costs and improve safety. Several software programs and tools can help with fleet management. To get the most out of your fleet, it is important to understand what these tools are and how to use them.

To ensure that your fleet is ready for operations, it is important to have proper fleet management strategies in place so that everything can run smoothly without any setbacks.  Here are some tips that will help you better manage your fleet so that it is ready for operations: 

Fleet management strategies 

• Buy or lease the right fleet vehicles
  
  Vehicles can be a major investment for fleet businesses. Therefore purchasing the right fleet of vehicles for your business is essential. Not only do you want to make sure that your drivers are comfortable and safe while on the road, but you also want to be sure that the vehicles are practical and efficient for your specific needs.
  
  There are a lot of factors to consider when buying or leasing fleet vehicles. Whether you are looking for cars, trucks, vans, or SUVs, it is important to choose the right type and size of vehicle for your needs. You also need to decide whether to buy or lease these vehicles.
  
  Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision. Keep in mind that the best option for your business may vary depending on your specific needs. So be sure to consult with an expert before making a final decision.
  
  
• Carry out regular fleet vehicle checks
  
  Operating a fleet of vehicles can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour. It is important to carry out regular vehicle checks to minimise the risk of costly breakdowns and repairs. Carrying out regular vehicle checks can help you to identify and remedy issues before they become more serious problems.
  
  Doing so will help ensure that all the vehicles in the fleet are kept in good working order and that there are no unexpected breakdowns or repairs that need to be carried out. 
  
  Tips:

1. Carry out a preventive maintenance program for each of your vehicles. 
2. Develop pre-travel and post-travel inspection criteria to keep you compliant.
   
   

• Maintain your fleet of vehicles properly
  
  Regular servicing is key to keeping a fleet of vehicles running as efficiently and productively as possible. By having a fleet maintenance schedule in place, you can ensure that all vehicles receive the necessary routine care and attention they need to stay on the road. Properly maintaining your fleet can keep your business running smoothly and ensure that your employees can do their job efficiently. 
  
  Skipping or delaying routine service can lead to decreased performance and reliability, which can end up costing you more in the long run. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance for your fleet and keep them running like new.
  
  
• Provide excellent vehicle user training
  
  How your employees drive and care for your vehicles (or do not) can have a significant impact on your vehicle maintenance requirements and costs. It may also aid in the reduction of accidents and unnecessary vehicle wear and tear.
  
  Your employees must know the proper way of using your vehicles. Therefore, when hiring an employee, educate them on proper vehicle care and safe driving habits before being given access to a fleet vehicle. This teaches employees how they are supposed to drive and maintain the car/van for your company's standards so that if anything goes wrong, it can quickly get taken care of with minimal hassle or delay in getting back on track.
  
  It is recommended that there be a company policy for vehicle use and provide at least annual refresher training to ensure that driving standards are not compromised.
  
  
• Set clearly defined goals and measure everything
  
  To manage a fleet most effectively, it is important to set clear goals and measure everything. This allows you to stay on top of your costs and make sure that you are meeting your objectives. By using data to track your progress, you can make course corrections where necessary and improve your operations over time.
  
  Set goals for various aspects of fleet management and find consistent ways to measure those goals to ensure you are meeting expectations and achieving efficiency wherever possible. This entails having standards for things like:
  
  

1. Maintenance cost and percentage on time
2. Fuel cost
3. The total cost of ownership
4. Total operating cost
5. Vehicle use
   
   By establishing clear goals and measuring everything, you can manage your fleet more effectively.
   
   

• Use fleet vehicle technology
  
  When you have a large fleet, the management can be overwhelming. As a fleet manager, you are always looking for ways to optimise efficiency and save costs. However, modern fleet vehicle technology has made it easier with the use of fleet management software or vehicle GPS tracking.
  
  Fleet management software and GPS tracking technology are valuable tools for businesses with fleet vehicles. Not only do these technologies help companies keep track of their drivers and vehicles, but they can also help improve safety, optimise routes, and reduce costs.
  
  Fleet management software can help you save fuel by optimising routing and scheduling. It also allows you to track driver behaviour, which can help you improve safety and reduce wear and tear on your vehicles. 

Additionally, fleet management software makes it easy to identify potential maintenance issues before they become costly problems. By improving communication and coordination between drivers, dispatchers, and managers, fleet management software can help your business run more smoothly overall. 

Implementing cloud-based fleet management software can make most of your processes faster and more efficient, as well as create an easy-to-use database for years to come. With fleet management software, you will be able to take all of your metrics into a single dashboard and even integrate further tech solutions like telematics devices.

SmartFits is a leading provider of fleet management and safety solutions in the UK. We offer vehicle camera systems, vehicle tracking systems, parking aids, driver behaviour monitoring devices, and security products to help you better protect your staff and assets. We also offer a professional installation service that will help you get your fleet London-ready in no time at all!

Check out our website for information about all of the products we provide!