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When it comes to the development of Fleet Management, Vehicle Tracking and Stolen Vehicle Recovery systems and services, South Africa leads the world. Our harsh operating conditions and high crime levels have necessitated the development of 'risk management' technologies to help protect and manage 'mobile assets', be they trucks, vans, buses or cars. Time has proved, however, that these systems are only as good as the people using them and to derive full benefit from these technologies requires a distinct hands-on approach by people who not only understand hi-tech gadgets but who are also fully conversant with the 'business drivers' of truck transport writes Paul Collings.
Managing a fleet of trucks effectively is a complex business demanding constant vigilance of both machinery and personnel. Historically, keeping track of vehicle and driver via paper-based systems was the only avenue transport operators had to keep running costs at a minimum while improving operational efficiency.
The last decade, however, has seen the introduction of increasingly sophisticated technologies that automate to a large degree the capturing of truck and driver-related data and its transmission and processing into management reporting formats. A combination of electronic vehicle security/navigation (GPS) systems and communications technologies like GSM, SMS, GPRS and radio frequency, has enabled truck transporters to watch - in real time - the movements of their fleet while receiving vital information simultaneously from the vehicle regarding both vehicle and driver status, ultimately providing a tool that allows management to proactively bring about cost savings and enhanced efficiencies.
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FM and tracking
systems will only deliver
results if the people behind them are trained and committed to
achieving positive business results. |
Why systems fail
It's a universal phenomenon in the world of information technology - 90% of us use less than 50% of the machine's capability and thereby fail to realize optimal return on investment and consequently limit our earning potential. This quandary permeates the Fleet Management industry just as much and the problem is essentially one of know-how. Most fleet managers simply don't know the full capability of the system they have purchased.
Reaping greater rewards from Fleet Management (FM) systems can be achieved in a number of ways but at the root of all possibilities will lie a comprehensive understanding of what the 'business needs' are and how the system is able to meet them. Achieving this 'solution' requires a coming together of supplier and client in a think-tank environment to clearly define the parameters of both.
The new integration
At the end of the day, it's all about people, rather than electronics, per se. While Fleet Management systems are capable of generating mountains of data, this information needs to be processed in a way that transforms it into easily digestible 'intelligence' whereupon it can be used effectively by management.
While system (IT) integration has been top of mind in many leading local fleets over the last few years, the focus has now shifted to 'people integration', where key personnel from both supplier and client come together to bring about the 'harmonization' of system functionality with specific business/operational needs and, most importantly, to put the right personnel in place to 'conduct' this process.
Harmony and more...
In the ever-changing world of truck technology, there is much to shake a stick at. This Special Report however will investigate the FM and vehicle tracking/recovery industries, reporting on how a commitment to 'customer focus' on the part of system suppliers has helped fleet operators derive real business benefits from the technologies they've invested in (plus a little extra). Read on...
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