Why Flexibility Matters When Choosing a Fleet Management Solution

Quick Summary:

• Flexibility in fleet management software is vital in ensuring a fleet can optimize budgets, evolve with the industry, and keep drivers and back office happy.
• Choosing a software provider that offers ways to customize and update your systems can make or break your fleet's profitability and longevity.

While commercial rigs continue to become “smarter,” fleets must evolve to capitalize on emerging technologies and stay compliant with new regulations. A one-size-fits-all approach leaves fleets lacking the functionality they need and tools their drivers want. Fleets are instead seeking out fleet management systems that allow for customization and adjustments based on their specific needs, industry trends, new technologies, and other factors. 

6 Reasons Flexibility is Key for Commercial Fleets

1. Fleets need solutions customized to their specific operations

All fleets are not created equal, from the types of loads they haul, to the routes they run, and the regulations they face. If your fleet management tools are a closed system that do not allow for any customization, you’ll find yourself creating cumbersome workarounds that lead to more busywork, decreased data integrity, and more opportunities for error. Additionally, tools that don’t “play well with others” can result in drivers logging into multiple systems multiple times, reentering the same info numerous times, leading to burnout and overall wasted time.

2. Fleets need to be able to integrate new technologies

In order to stay competitive, fleets must stay ahead of the technology curve. Every year, new technologies are introduced for commercial trucking, and failing to take advantage of them leaves money on the table. Whether it is third-party apps that specialize in certain areas, new hardware options that offer more reliable data, or tools that streamline inspections, fleets can make life easier for their drivers and back office, reducing turnover while improving operations. The ability to integrate new technologies can be a differentiator over your competition.

3. Fleets must respond to new regulations

While the reduction of regulations has been a significant area of focus for the current presidential administration, there will undoubtedly always be a certain amount of regulations that fleets must incorporate into their operations and reporting. It’s imperative that your fleet management software be nimble enough to allow for new reporting requirements or compliance tasks. Additionally, selecting a software provider that is active in the industry can be very helpful in ensuring your fleet stays ahead of the curve when it comes to impending regulatory changes.

4. Fleets need to future-proof their business

The global supply chain is particularly sensitive to external factors and disruptions, with demand on commercial fleets fluctuating significantly in short periods of time. Whether it is a pandemic, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or shifts in consumer demand, fleets must be able to tweak their operations to stay profitable, meet customer expectations, and protect company reputation. Additionally, as a fleet grows, it will need to hire more drivers, shift to specialized skill sets, or evolve in other ways. Your fleet management tools must allow you to pivot as needed.

5. Fleets must be able to respond to employee feedback

With driver retention remaining a top concern for fleet managers, more are taking proactive steps to enhance the driver experience and maintain open lines of communication. Key to showing drivers you value their feedback is the ability to make changes accordingly. Flexibility in your fleet management software makes it easier to adjust processes and SOPs in response to input from your employees, creating a culture of responsiveness and teamwork.

6. Fleets must be able to track and respond to metrics

Having access to your current fleet data is a great tool in your arsenal. But if you can’t easily access it and pull actionable insights, you’re missing out on the most real-time opportunities for improving driver habits, avoiding breakdowns, staying compliant, and more. Additionally, your system needs to offer various ways to share this data across your organization, whether that’s automated reporting, scheduled emailed reports, or secure Cloud-based access. Being able to access your data when and how you need it is a key point of flexibility that can make a difference to your bottom line. 

Flexibility Makes the Difference Now and in the Future

Ensuring your fleet management tools are flexible and open ensures you can respond to the most current fleet data while remaining prepared for whatever the industry and economy may bring. Choosing tools that can grow and evolve with your business is crucial for maximizing the value of your software investment and has a direct impact on your profitability and corporate culture.

‍Learn more about Platform Science and our flexible system of enterprise fleet telematics solutions, including our extensive Virtual Vehicle Marketplace of add-on third-party apps that supercharge your specific operational tools.