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Government fleet management organizations have a lot of responsibility. Not only do they have to maintain a large number of vehicles, but they also have to make sure those vehicles are being used in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Fortunately, there are a number of different ways to improve asset management in government fleets. By using telematics, public works organizations can track their vehicles in real-time, set up geofencing around sensitive areas, and monitor driver behavior.
In this article, we’ll give you five tips for efficient asset management in government fleets. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make your government fleet more efficient and cost-effective.
Rightsize Your Fleet Technology
One of the most common issues that we see fleet managers encounter is having too many tools at their disposal. That might seem like a good problem to have, but in reality, it can be overwhelming to the point that time and money are being wasted, without the results to justify the added stress.
Approaching fleet management technology with restraint can generate more ROI and make asset management more feasible, especially if you are working with a smaller team and limited resources. Matching your technology suite to the needs of your fleet is not only practical, but it makes more fiscal sense, allowing you to allocate departmental funds and resources to other areas of need.
Make Integration A Priority
When the time comes, and you are ready to implement new technology, focus on integration. A new tool can be exciting until you realize that you have to log into a separate system, and cannot manage everything from one centralized platform. In truth, “can it integrate with my current system” should be one of the first things brought up during the vetting process.
Platforms like Geotab place an emphasis on seamless integration, funneling all data to a centralized database that makes it easy to manage.
Think Beyond GPS
A GPS system might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about telematics, but this technology has come a long way in recent years. Today, telematics encompasses a wide range of applications, from vehicle tracking and diagnostics to driver safety and efficiency.
If you're looking to get started with telematics in your department, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Carefully consider what you want to achieve with this technology throughout the year. A great example of this is material management for winter storms. Being able to track snow plows could be the initial piece, but managing salt usage and reducing waste can help with efficiency and lower operating costs.
Data Must Be Digestible
At its simplest, fleet data is a record of a company's vehicle activity. This data can be used to track and improve a number of areas within the department, including:
- Vehicle utilization
- Driver behavior
- Fuel consumption
- Maintenance intervals
To be useful, fleet data must be gathered and analyzed in a way that is digestible. It is not enough to simply collect data - it must be organized and interpreted in a way that provides actionable insights. Otherwise, it is nothing more than a collection of numbers.
Centralized dashboards and triggered alerts are pieces that every fleet manager should closely examine throughout the buying process. This includes any ancillary technology that is integrated into your fleet management tool arsenal.
Simplify Procurement
Government and education institutions are frequent customers of private businesses. In many cases, these organizations must go through a lengthy and complicated procurement process in order to make a purchase. However, cooperative purchasing agreements can simplify this process by allowing organizations to purchase goods and services directly from a vendor without going through a competitive bidding process.
Sourcewell and NASPO ValuePoint are two of the most common coops that government agencies leverage when it comes to integrating new fleet technology. The ability to bypass the RFP process means that technology can more rapidly be deployed, addressing needs in almost real-time instead of waiting for months or until the next fiscal year.
Get Started with Geotab
Unsure of where to start? The good news is that accessing new technology has never been easier for local government fleets. Agencies looking to adopt can simply execute a piggyback contract agreement or issue a purchase order that references one of our contract numbers. It really is that simple.
Sounds too good to be true? Argos is committed to keeping the purchasing process as straightforward as possible. We work with government agencies of all shapes and sizes, and understand that each conversation will be different. To learn more, visit our website, connect with our team, or schedule your demo today.
