How to Effectively Use Daily Fleet Data Reports

Telematics is a revolutionary concept for fleet management. Now that companies can use fleet gps technology to relay information from drivers and their vehicles back to the office, it is easier than ever to track on-the-road behavior, fuel consumption, mileage and other key metrics.

However, all this information can be a bit overwhelming for some fleet managers at times. For your organization, the trick becomes learning how to effectively use all your daily reports coming in thanks to telematics. This way, you’ll be operating more efficiently, plus you’ll also learn new ways to reduce costs, save money and keep customers happy.

Take charge of driving
Once on the road, drivers have a fair bit of autonomy. This can be a positive, but it may also mean that they aren’t being as efficient as possible while behind the wheel. Daily reports streaming from their vehicles can help you take charge of their behavior.

According to Automotive Fleet, this is something that was done by Walgreens-OptionCare, a segment of major pharmacy Walgreen Co. The company used telematics to monitor both delivery vehicles and sales vehicles. The information that they learned allowed them to determine more effective routes as a way to save money.

“We have been able to reduce our total fuel cost by approximately 10 percent,” Moni Islam, manager of operations improvement and analysis, told Automotive Fleet. “We also were able to curb, and in some cases eliminate, unnecessary and unauthorized driving.”

Use daily reports to go green
A “green” fleet will often be a more cost-efficient one. According to Green Fleet Magazine, the daily reports you receive thanks to telematics will help you reduce fuel expenses and improve the environment.

For example, reports can highlight when and where your drivers are idling on the side of the road. This is bad for fuel, and it is better to plan a route to avoid idling altogether. If you notice this type of behavior, talk with drivers to determine a viable solution moving forward.

In addition, daily reports can show you any unauthorized vehicle use, Green Fleet Magazine explained. After-hours driving can be a waste of fuel, so fleet managers must be on the lookout for any activity that isn’t sanctioned by the company. Overall, data can help curb inefficient fleet behavior and result in widespread savings across the board.