Strategies For Enhanced Fleet Management

Operating an efficient fleet, in today’s business world, means that your company will increase revenue as well as operations. Because of the importance of fleet management, Driver’s Alert has released a few strategies for fleet managers to take a look at – enhancing the fleet industry as well as lowering fleet management costs.

1. Create A Checklist Before Vehicle Leaves

Yes, I know, my grandma used to make a checklist today. But think about it – it’s basically a formal reminder and that’s something that every driver (or every fleet manager) should look at before every single vehicle leaves. A checklist will ensure that nothing is overlooked. This checklist should include things like fuel, tire pressure, oil, etc. These checklists can be customized to suit your needs.

2. Fleet GPS Tracking

Fleet GPS Tracking programs were invented to monitor and document the movements vehicles. Over the past few years, modern technology has turned them into much more of a helpful tool. By trying a Fleet GPS tracking program a  fleet based company can quickly enhance fleet management operations. Not only can fleet GPS tracking help to locate a vehicle, it can also improve driver safety, help drivers meet appointment times as well lower insurance costs. The benefits are endless!  

3. Improve Vehicle Design

Your vehicles should be well maintained as well as equipped for the type of services that you provide. Whether it’s an additional safety bumper, you need to invest in these vehicles to ensure that they work properly from day to day. Small vehicular changes and upgrades openings can all help a improve the functioning of a fleet.

Fleet GPS Tracking

Web Design Help: Font Choices

When it comes to your website, the most important aspect is the professionalism.  Most web browsers will simply not visit a particular website because the font style used on them seems unprofessional or distracting.  In addition to the actual font, the color and size matter as well. Most web designers get a detailed description about the font sizes and styles while they are extracting the other requirements from the customer. On the other hand, most web designers recommend the Times New Roman font to their clients.
Why Times New Roman?
Almost 80% of the popular web sites these days use Times New Roman for their text. Times New Roman is professional, legible and clean looking.  Highly stylized fonts are not legible which causes frustration from the visitor.  Your selected font should look like readable text and not a collection of abstract designs. These are the reasons due to which Times New Roman is advised by most web designers. This font style is mostly used for the body text. While Times New Roman is the best solution for your site, you should also keep the size in mind. You don’t want customers squinting while trying to read your information. Many web designers stick with size 12 unless they are creating a title or banner.
Other Font Options
While Times New Roman is the most commonly used, you can always try other options to see if they work well (remember, you’re looking for color, size and legibility of the font).  You can try Arial, Verdana and Courier. All these three fonts are used at a professional level and some web designers recommend them as well. However, they are not as popular and commonly used as Times New Roman.
The font selection also depends on the overall layout of the website and the preference of the client. To portray a professional image, it is better to use one of the text options mentioned above.

Web Design

5 Fleet Management Myths

Some fleet management myths are serious, some are hilarious, but there are a several of myths about fleet management (as well as fleet managers) that can alter your views of the fleet management industry.
Myth #1. You can’t get full time hours with fleetmanagement.
I actually have to laugh at this one. Fleet management is a full time, challenging, difficult position. That is why many companies hire experienced fleet managers to keep track of their expensive fleet. Fleet managers deal with employees, customer delivery times, the fleet maintenance, scheduling and insurance. All in a days works.
Myth #2. Vehicles should be maintained on a 50-month schedule (2% a month)It sounds pretty. Many fleet based companies may actually like this – because it’s not too often, which means less money per month. Unfortunately, the gap is too long. If a vehicle needs maintenance, it needs it ASAP in order to prolong its life. Fleet vehicles which operate in the inner city don't accumulate nearly as many miles as those in rural areas and remain in service longer. This has to be taken into consideration. Using a 50-month schedule for all company vehicles can result in outrageous cash flows.

Myth # 3. Chargeability – Drivers are always at fault.
Almost any fleet has a standard way to determine the fault for a car accident. Whether it’s the fleet manager, or a review in front of a committee, if a driver is found at fault, there are usually consequences. Unfortunately, too many fleets, use the driver's fault as the determining factor. These days fleet drivers cannot solely avoid causing an accident; they should take action in avoiding a crash all together, even when they are not at fault. Myth # 4. Don’t ever recondition a vehicle before selling it.

This is not technically a myth, however the word “never” is a bit extreme. Sometimes a car needs to be repaired in order to raise the value so that the company can profit more. For example, if the car needs a simple fix, it might be worth it to do the fix and gain more money in the end.

Myth # 5. Because it’s not their money, drivers simply don’t care about costs.

This statement generally offends any good company driver. It’s simply not true. A good employee realizes the value of themselves in a company and takes care of their car (and cell phone, laptop, etc). The knowledge that neglecting or abusing privileges can have severe consequences. .

A vehicle's condition and the way a driver pays attention to the maintenance schedule typically display how well that employee does at his/her job. A great example is gas. You know you can trust the employee that will survey the area for the lowest gas cost, compared to the employee who will just stop at the first gas station and fill up on the most expensive gas.

Fleet GPS Tracking Program