If you are a fleet manager, there is no question that driver shortage is a significant and ongoing concern. In fact, in its annual top industry issues report — 2017 — the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that, for the first time since 2006, driver shortage was the top-ranked issue, followed by ELDs and hours of service.

Whether your fleet is just a few vehicles or a few hundred, properly managing it and staying on top of the multiple challenges, details and requirements can be an overwhelming task.

From finding cost-effective solutions that control fuel prices and cut operational expenses, to figuring out new ways to ensure driver safety while complying with government regulations, fleet management can be a complicated undertaking with lots of disconnected nuts and bolts coming at you from every direction.

However, fleet management doesn’t have to be so co

mplicated and discombobulated. Software solutions and technologies can simplify and streamline the management of your assets on a single platform that is cost-effective and comprehensive.

Pinpointing the location of fleet vehicles, optimizing their performance by staying on top of maintenance, and determining if their routes are the most efficient are all aspects of fleet vehicle management that telematics can help control.

But, of course, successfully managing a fleet isn’t only about managing vehicles. It’s also about managing drivers. And, the good news for fleet managers is that the real-time vehicle data that telematics provides, such as fuel use, wear and tear, braking, idling and speed, can also furnish real-time insight into exactly what drivers are up to when they’re behind the wheel.

Are they speeding? Idling excessively? Hard braking and accelerating? Driving aggressively? Not following approved routes? Wearing their seat belt? Or, are they doing everything “by the book” and operating their vehicle in accordance with fleet policy?

While there’s some debate among fleet managers regarding the most efficient and cost-effective solution to handle vehicle maintenance and repair work— in-house, outsourced or a hybrid of the two — there’s absolutely no debate that routine maintenance and timely repairs are crucial to operational safety, productivity and customer satisfaction.

Just as with choosing a telematics solution or the right vehicles for your fleet, there’s no one-size-fits-all maintenance solution. In-house may be the most beneficial for some fleets, while outsourcing may be best for others. Or, maybe a bit of both is the most efficient and cost-effective.

If you manage fleet vehicles for your organization, you’re well-versed on all the ins and outs of the most common methods for obtaining fuel — bulk deliveries to fuel tanks, mobile fueling and purchasing at retail locations with fuel cards. However, there’s another fuel delivery method that you may not be quite as knowledgeable about. And, that’s unattended fuel outlets or UFOs.

Unattended fuel outlets are exactly what the name implies — unmanned fuel stations. They are also known for being reliable, computerized, fully-automated and a fast and convenient way for drivers to fill up vehicles and get back on the road without the time-consuming hassle of convenience store lines and the safety hazards associated with crowded lots.

While there is some uncertainty over the origin of the saying, “that which is measured, improves,” there is zero uncertainty regarding the value of measuring and its relation to fleet performance.

Whether your fleet is comprised of a few vehicles or several hundred, it’s essential to keep your operations moving forward and running on all cylinders. That means taking the time to stay on top of what’s trending in the industry. In the constantly shifting trucking industry, this is not exactly an easy task, but it’s one that might not be as difficult as you may think.

Many fleet managers stay on top of trends by subscribing to trade journals, reading newspapers, websites and blogs, scouring news sites, watching videos, listening to podcasts, talking to customers and colleagues, keeping a watchful eye on the competition and attending conferences and seminars. While it takes time, building a habit of learning in 2018 will help you advance your career and help you build a safer, more productive fleet.

It’s no secret that change is a constant in the fleet industry. To stay on top of challenges and to stay competitive, changes in the industry can’t be ignored but need to be viewed with an open mind. 

No longer can fleet managers afford to live by the mindset of “this is how it’s always been done” and expect to thrive, as increasingly the industry is becoming more tech focused and data driven with telematics technologies leading the charge. Transparency Market Research predicts that the worldwide fleet management market will grow to almost $16 billion by 2025.

Taking steps to winterize your fleet vehicles, including keeping tanks at least half full, using the right viscosity of oil , topping off fluids and checking wiper blades, tires, brake pads and shoes is key to ensuring your vehicles are prepared for the challenges associated with winter weather.

The Electronic Logging Device Mandate, which is more commonly referred to as the ELD Mandate, is a federal rule published December 2015 by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Implemented in three phases, with Phase 2 going into effect in less than a month on December 18, the rule applies to most motor carriers and drivers who are currently required to maintain records of duty status (RODS). The rule’s intention is to help create a safer work environment for drivers and to make tracking, managing and sharing RODS faster and easier.