Management Fleet Costs
Technology is rapidly changing the way businesses manage their fleet costs. In the past, fleet managers and field service technicians had to write down their mileage, when they last had an oil change, if the engine light went on, etc. Keeping track of everything on a spreadsheet was time-consuming and prone to error. That’s a dangerous combination. For businesses with field service technicians to be profitable and run efficiently, they need to understand all of the costs associated with running their vehicles. Businesses can do that with a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Because ERP solutions are in the cloud, all of the fleet management data can be accessed through the Internet, whenever and wherever a fleet manager needs, on any mobile device. Fleet managers can keep track of fuel consumption, how long a vehicle has idled, if an engine light goes on, or if its time for a tune-up. This results in better vehicle management and reduced management fleet costs.
Evolution of the 5G Network
One of the biggest technological developments revolutionizing fleet management and the field services management industry is the evolution of 5G, or the fifth generation of wireless technology. It is already changing the way we live and work. One of the biggest benefits of 5G is speed. The fastest 5G networks are at least 100 times faster than 4G. Not only does this mean you can download a two-hour movie in seconds, but it also means autonomous vehicles will be more reliable and doctors will be able to conduct operations remotely.5G also has greater bandwidth. That means it can accommodate more connected devices than 3G and 4G. Gone are the days of unreliable spotty service, especially when you’re in a crowded area. All of this is a huge leap forward for the future of fleet management and the day-to-day operations of field service technicians.
Automated Vehicles
The promise of autonomous, self-driving vehicles has been around since cars were first introduced. Thanks to the speed of 5G technology and localized technology like GPS tracking, more and more fleet vehicles are connected and communicating with each other. And that makes the roads a lot safer. What does that look like on a practical level? The reaction time of a field service technician detecting a hazard and hitting the breaks is around one second. An autonomous vehicle, using 5G technology, can analyze that same information in one millisecond—or 1,000 times faster than we can.
Growth in Telematics and GPS Tracking
Every time a field service technician goes on the road, the computers on their vehicles are collecting a lot of data, including speed and location stops. Telematics and GPS collects important data about a vehicle’s location, speed, stops, driver history, and diagnostics, and then sends that vital information back to the main office. Fleet managers can use this real-time data to improve fleet performance, determine the best routes, do proactive maintenance, analyze driver behavior, and gain accountability. You can also create customizable reports based on this information, which can help businesses better optimize their fleet operations and improve overall efficiencies.
Data Security
For companies that use field service technicians, their vehicles collect a lot of data, and fleet managers analyze that data to find trends and make well-informed decision. If that data is breached it could result in not just a loss of valuable data, but it can lead to safety issues. Better data security can boost the confidence of field service technicians, allowing them to make better decisions, which improves operational efficiency.
Choose FSM for Your Fleet Management Needs
Businesses that are not up to date with the latest technological trends and updated fleet management software risk falling behind the competition. If your business uses field service technicians, FSM, America’s ultimate field service provider, can make sure your fleet and overall business are running as efficiently and effectively as possible. Using the best technologies for web and mobile, Teletrac Navman helps businesses automate and streamline their organization’s complex business operations. As a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, Teletrac Navman is easy to install, customizable, and easy to use, and was developed specifically with small- and medium-sized businesses in mind. Because FSM solutions are centralized in the cloud, workflow automation and fleet management is entirely scalable and changes with the needs of your company. You don’t need to purchase expensive hardware, hire additional IT staff, or purchase expensive service plans.Taskflow Pro is a complete office management system that lets you put your business on autopilot, anywhere, and everywhere, allowing you to do what you do best: grow your business. To learn more about FSM and how our cloud-based enterprise resource software can help automate your business, improve fleet management, and reduce costs, contact us at 716-445-0790 or by email at [email protected].
By Steve Facey
Steven Facey is collaborative leader with over 20 years of experience in retail, sales, marketing, operations, and technology. He believes in recognizing strengths and coaching to higher levels of performance, so that the right people are aligned to “WIN”.