Beating Driver Fatigue on Long Hauls
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of light commercial vehicles has increased in the past year accounting for 15.8 per cent of all vehicles registered in Australia in 2013, the second highest proportion behind passenger vehicles.
With transportation being the lifeblood of Australia's economy, organisations are looking for ways to leverage their vehicles and optimise their operations - all in the view of gaining a competitive edge and maintaining superior customer service.
As GPS fleet technology becomes an indispensable tool for most businesses with fleets, it provides them with enhanced abilities to differentiate from the competition. On top of improved productivity and lowered operational costs, a GPS fleet management solution helps businesses to increase their bottomline. Moreover with the implementation of the carbon tax on July 1st, 2012, it is paramount for businesses to understand how they can transform their fleet from a cost centre to a value generator.
A real-time GPS fleet tracking system enables a manager to remotely access and view the delivery status as well as the real-time location of all vehicles. The manager is therefore in a better position to provide accurate responses to customer queries as well as an improved communication channel with the entire fleet of vehicles. The direct and open communication channel enables fleet operators to re-route drivers in an instant, to either take the shortest route or intuitively to their next job. This is done by submitting the routing information to the drivers' GPS navigation system. Similarly, if a business receives a last minute order, fleet managers can allocate the job to the closest vehicle and dispatch orders right away.
Having the ability to respond quickly to a customer inquiry is essential to improving customer relations. In the event of a delay, the driver can communicate directly with the dispatcher using messaging and the dispatcher can relay this information back to the customer immediately. The messaging feature within a GPS fleet management system can be used in case of accidents during transit where drivers can immediately inform their fleet managers who can notify the customer of the delay and organise for another vehicle to complete the job.
The reports generated by a GPS fleet management system provide comprehensive information that can be passed on to the customer if required. These reports include information such as driver speed, departure/arrival time, travel duration, mileage, idle time and precise location of driver at any particular point in time. Offering this level of transparency has proven effective in instilling trust in the business' service. Having access to these reports can also provide valuable insights that can be used to implement changes faster and more seamlessly to eventually improve business operations and meet customer demands.
Another business benefit of a GPS fleet management system is it allows a business to keep precise and accurate records making invoicing easier and more accurate. It takes the guesswork out of managing logbooks and provides irrefutable verification of the driver's activities.
On top of all the business benefits mentioned above, a GPS fleet management solution will provide businesses with the ability to grow an extensive and loyal client base, increase profits, and acquire more business.