Cost-saving transport tips for your busy period

Image: Free Digital Photsos

Business Intelligence (BI) and analytics - the valuable, real-time data that tracking technology delivers to the fleet owner - transform unstructured research data into actionable information, which enables better business decision making about the day-to-day operations of the fleet, thanks to the ability to measure data gathering, data management and data analysis against specific business objectives.

"Fleet owners need to know exactly what wastage is occurring before corrective measures can be implemented and the most effective way of determining this is to use tracking technology," said Michael van Wyngaardt, executive of Tracker Business, the corporate division within Tracker. The strategic partnership between Tracker and TomTom provides a fleet management system that covers the entire spectrum of needs for fleet owners.

The benefits

Fleet and specifically driver behaviour can then be carefully monitored and Van Wyngaardt explained some of the key benefits:

• Drivers often think they know the shortest route to the next customer, but human error is surprisingly high. Modern route-navigation devices take the guessing out of the equation, translating into less business mileage.
  
• Shorter routes mean less fuel usage, as well as less wear and tear, leading to less maintenance and tyre costs.
  
• Avoiding traffic congestion is paramount to the efficient operating of logistics companies. Failing this, time wastage results in customer service frustrations, as well as loss of income for the company, and again, unnecessary fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicles. Useful navigation devices ensure that traffic congestion is identified and alternative routes can be selected to avoid these.
  
• Driver efficiencies result in increased productivity - such as a driver doing an additional delivery, which, in turn, means sweating your assets and earning additional revenue.
  
• Make sure you know where your drivers are at all times. Deviation from routes and schedules will result in delays, unproductive time and ultimately wastage. Fleet management services enable the fleet owner to know where each driver is as well as his time of arrival at the next delivery, which is optimal for good customer service.
  
• Finally, Van Wyngaardt suggested rewarding responsible driving through incentives. He recommended implementing driver scorecards to identify who the champion drivers are and use them as a benchmark for an enhanced workforce.

Leading local distribution company with a fleet of 150 vehicles that travel in excess of 8.5 million kilometres each year, Dawn Cargo's customer-centric approach means the company places great importance on its tracking technology. Graeme Johnston, Dawn Cargo's divisional director of logistics explained: "In order for us to deliver over 900 000 orders, on schedule, to southern Africa each year, we identified the need for tracking technology, which resulted in our partnering Tracker Business.

"This not only ensures that drivers, vehicles and load are protected, it enables us to monitor our vehicles in transit, which results in increased levels of reliability and customer service."

At a time when good customer service is more important than ever for building strong relationships with partners and clients, fleet owners need to ensure they employ the necessary resources to meet deadlines and improve efficiencies within the supply chain.