Cutting costs part of the service
MANAGING costs is a key function within the fleet management arena and considerable expertise and technology investment is being deployed to cut costs and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
David Molapo, head of Standard Bank Fleet Management, says the bank provides a consulting service to its clients typically with 30 or more vehicles.
“A dedicated person will visit the client and provide advice on a range of issues such as fuel costs. Larger corporate clients often employ their own in-house fleet specialists to help them monitor and control costs.”
He says information is essential for effective fleet management and appropriate reports help fleet managers to contain costs.
“The key to success is carrying out the fundamentals correctly. Selecting good drivers is the first step and this should be followed up with additional training to improve the person’s driving skills.”
He adds that thereafter driving can be monitored to ensure that drivers maintain their skills and apply them correctly at all times, which will result in less accidents and downtime, as well as improved fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs in the long term.
Nicholas De Canha, CEO of Imperial Fleet Management, says that a routine aspect of helping clients to keep down costs is providing advice on vehicle selection.
Not only does the right vehicles mean clients can perform their tasks more effectively but it also helps to keep down the costs.
“We consult with our clients and determine the use they plan for the vehicles. We are in a position to tell them when vehicles are not suitable or where the maintenance rates will be higher given the vehicle’s role,” says De Canha.
Technology is playing an increasing role in cutting costs and John Edmeston, MD of Cartrack SA, says fleet managers are looking for comprehensive fleet management solutions as they provide for efficient and accurate reporting and control of costs, allowing fleet owners to manage driver behaviour as well as draw accurate, real-time data for analysis and improvement planning.
“Today’s systems provide the answers to the ‘how and why’ questions that allow for proactive planning and intervention, rather than simply monitoring distances travelled,” says Edmeston.
He says that there is also a strong focus on stolen vehicle recovery.
“With our audited 95% stolen vehicle recovery rate, we provide clients with a unique recovery warranty, giving cash back to clients in the unlikely event of non-recovery,” says Edmeston.
“As our system is 100% home grown, we can provide our clients with virtually any configuration to address their specific and unique fleet management challenges.
“Vehicle telematics (tracking and diagnostics), driver management, speed management, fleet tracking, fuel management, driver profiling, route planning as well as geofencing are all readily available,” he adds.
He says that with a host of optional extras there’s no limit to the cost saving and productivity benefits clients can derive from better fleet management.
“After-sales services include a fleet management call centre for first-line training and user support plus continual monitoring of unit functionality to ensure tracking devices are operating at all times.
“A bureau service is also available to provide a 24/7 monitoring and reporting service to support or even replace a fleet manager.”