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The end-game of any business tool is to improve bottom-line earnings through various cost savings and efficiency enhancements. Fleet Management systems are no exception, but like any machine, they have to be used correctly. In an industry as margin-sensitive as local truck transport, it is not always clear to operators why costly hi-tech systems should be purchased when tacho charts and clipboards have historically done the job adequately. The truth is, the world (and trucking) has changed considerably over the last ten years and winning businesses all use technology in smart ways to stay a step ahead of the competition. Bakers Transport is one such enterprise. Paul Collings speaks to Abdul Tayoob, Operations Director, about his Fleet Management approach.
 

Weathering storms - A customized set of FM systems working within a well-defined management strategy ensures Bakers Transport personnel and trucks are safe and efficient, even in hail storms.

PC: Do you have a Fleet Management system assisting you run your operation? 
AT: Yes.

PC: How has technology (fleet management systems and associated products) helped improve your operational efficiency? 
AT: We have taken off-the-shelf products, and customized them to give us a total management solution. We have a 24 hour tracking control room together with an on-site fleet management team. The VDO FM System is used for the operational needs, live and passive tracking and for the management of drivers, vehicles, customer sites, fuel, braking systems, and communication costs. The system has enabled tighter controls and efficient vehicle management and has assisted us in becoming more competitive in the marketplace by offering a superior service to our clients. We have experienced substantial savings in fuel, maintenance, insurance, communication and accidents costs. When choosing a system it should offer a decrease in operational costs that offset to purchase and running of the system which we have achieved to date. 

PC: What system/s do you use? 
AT: VDO FM for the tracking and management of the vehicle, another device for trailer tracking, and a highly efficient company for vehicle recovery. We add that our main focus is the VDO FM system which we chose after testing a variety of systems. We found the VDO FM specification, reliability, technology and local service providers to be of the highest standard. We have found that because this system is of a high specification with a broad 'event set up monitoring base' that is is necessary to implement a high level management program. This included the training internal staff members.

PC: Does your systems supplier provide your personnel with adequate training? 
AT: We have contracted a local service provider, Vehcon Systems, that not only manages the system on a daily basis but provides us we the necessary expertise in specific areas of transport management. This service provider has also implemented an ongoing internal staff training program. 

PC: Is finding IT-minded transport/fleet managers a difficult task? 
AT: Yes, any system you introduce is only as good as the management thereof. No system is a 'miracle cure'; it requires structural changes in the organization to achieve the full benefits thereof. Therefore we have formed a current joint management team with our service provider which we have found to be highly efficient. We target areas of high operational costs and formulate strategies to combat these. This involves all facets of operational activities as well as us implementing a highly professional internal driver training school.