6 Myths About Fleet Software Solutions

Fleet management plays a crucial role in many businesses. Enterprises must ensure that fleet operations are running as smoothly as possible, since failure to do so would mean revenue losses. This is why many enterprises have already invested in fleet software solutions.

At the same time, there are plenty of misconceptions regarding fleet management systems floating around that keep businesses from investing in—and getting the most value out—this kind of tool. If you are contemplating whether to invest in a truck fleet management solution, here are some common myths that you should know about.

1. Fleet Software Solutions Are Only for Gargantuan Businesses 

All fleet managers must have the right tools that offer complete visibility on drivers, vehicles, and equipment to help them manage fleet operations effectively. The easiest way to have full visibility and receive real-time updates is to adopt fleet management software. This holds regardless of whether you are running a large fleet or a medium-sized one.

Businesses of many different sizes can reap numerous benefits when they invest in the right fleet management software. The right fleet management tool can help you:

• Empower fleet managers to act proactively via automated updates and alerts when something is not right
• Provide drivers with the right assignments and the most efficient routes
• Help drivers improve their productivity and overall performance
• Ensure driver, vehicle, and equipment safety
• Gain deep insights that can power data-driven decisions
• Reduce fuel costs
• Decrease vehicle downtime and truck wear and tear
• Proactively manage delivery exceptions
• Automate back-office tasks like fuel tax compliance 

1. Truck Fleet Management Software Is Too Expensive

Some businesses simply look at the upfront cost of a truck fleet management software solution without weighing the cost against the possible return on investment (ROI) it offers. What these enterprises fail to realize is that the right software is a tool that can help them improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately help bring in new business.

The right fleet truck management software should be viewed as a revenue-generating asset rather than an expense for the firm. They can offer you better control of fleet operations and streamlined last mile workflows up and down the delivery chain. 

2. These Solutions Will Replace Fleet Managers

New technologies can indeed enhance transportation and delivery operations—but they are not designed to replace fleet managers. After all, the fleet management solution is simply a tool— it cannot interpret data or make strategic decisions about fleet management. The fleet manager is the one who will respond to the data and insights provided by the software and make changes or adjustments in fleet operations. At the end of the day, the right software should be aimed at making fleet managers more effective at their jobs. 

3. Fleet Software Solutions Are Only About Cost Savings

One of the primary functions of truck management software is indeed to help fleets reduce their operating costs. That said, the right solution goes beyond offering cost savings—it also helps in other areas of fleet operations.

For one, it helps you comply with regulations. For example, commercial fleets must comply with Hours of Service rules. Fleet software solutions help by automatically recording and storing the data gathered by electronic logging devices, making it easier to track driver hours and comply with regulations.

Fleet management solutions also help increase productivity. If your software has route planning and optimization features, you find the most cost-effective and optimal routes by factoring in various variables affecting delivery times. These factors include the unique constraints of the business, historical traffic conditions, driver availability, and so on. With route optimization, drivers can complete more assignments in a day.

Likewise, the software helps ensure drivers’ safety. Thanks to real-time tracking, fleet managers can receive alerts when drivers are engaging in unsafe driving practices so they can customize training plans to correct harsh braking, speeding, and other unsafe practices.

The right fleet trucking software also empowers businesses to satisfy customers. It's no secret that customers these days are harder to please. They are no longer content with static tracking numbers and standard delivery time frames. Customers now demand same-day shipping, real-time tracking abilities, and direct communication with delivery drivers. Fleet management and telematics solutions can offer all the features needed to satisfy the modern customer's demands.

Advanced software can also help businesses scale their operations. Whether your company wants to increase delivery volumes or add new geographic areas, an advanced solution, especially a cloud-based one, can empower you to achieve those goals.

It's Too Hard to Implement Fleet Software

Implementing fleet truck management software is not as complex as many think. Sure, bigger fleets may need more time to plan so that the installation of the equipment can be completed in the least possible time to avoid causing delays in the fleet's schedule. But a reliable solution provider will ensure that the implementation of the solution is quick and painless. This should include offering both technical support and training to help companies roll out the use of the software to employees. What's crucial is to find a reliable fleet management tracking provider—i.e. one that has a track record of successful rollouts and strong ongoing support.

All Software Solutions Are Created Equal

Some businesses tend to think that all vehicle fleet management software is more or less the same. In reality, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Some solutions merely track truck locations and are unable to provide real-time alerts to fleet managers when drivers engage in unsafe driving patterns. Other solutions can gather truck data, generate reports, and offer deep insights in easily digestible formats. Some have route planning features that find the quickest and most cost effective routes between drop-offs—others don’t.

Fleet software solutions are designed to help businesses save time, ensure drivers' safety, reduce operating costs, and increase overall productivity. When choosing one, enterprises must go for an intuitive solution that has robust integrations, advanced AI algorithms, and scalable cloud architecture. Once you cut through all the myths, this can be a real recipe for success.