Digital Fleets

An increasing number of transportation businesses are relying on GPS tracking software. There are multiple benefits fleet data can provide an organization – tighter delivery schedules, clearer driver-dispatcher communication, and less frequent vehicle maintenance, just to name a few. The trucking industry’s growing reliance on automated data streams is reflected in business operations as a whole. More and more, operations departments across all fleet industries are using digital reporting to gain insight into their assets, changing how these departments are managed and incorporated into a business’s larger strategy.

The Harvard Business Review defines “operations” as “what gives an organization the power to act.” Fleet data maximizes this ability – managers can reduce miles driven outside of assigned routes, the number of compliance issues during a hectic season, and the amount of money spent on unneeded maintenance. GPS tracking software has transformed how these aims are met, bringing with it a wealth of data that is valuable to all departments in a company. A finance department, for example, may be interested in a decrease in expenses, while upper management may pay attention to the number of new drivers hired on the basis of a deployed platform. GPS tracking software also improves day-to-day operations – dispatchers can relay job information directly to drivers and monitor their safety in real time. As regular users of this software, operations employees may see their role in the company be reevaluated. They become the gatekeepers of the data within their organization, providing the company at large with the information it needs in this new model.

Businesses that use fleet management software often report how important their platform becomes in day-to-day work. Operations departments can set up efficient routes, talk to drivers, and give customers up-to-date delivery times. These benefits are seen universally across businesses using fleet management technology. With product features such as live mapping and two-way communication, operations employees can improve delivery schedules and customer satisfaction. Businesses should take care to remember, however, that a successful organization depends on accurate communication, clearly defined objective, and strong leadership, which no software can ever replace. A balance between change and tradition is necessary for any business to prosper.