Remote Fleet Management for a Hybrid Workforce
Fleet management has made remarkable progress over the years. In the past, managing a fleet was extremely time-consuming. The main role of the fleet manager was to conduct physical checks on vehicles and machinery, manually fill out paper reports and trust drivers to report their vehicle’s status correctly.
In present times all that has changed. Fleet management involves so much more. Fleet managers are now responsible for the efficiency, productivity, safety and compliance of their fleets.
Fortunately, advancements in fleet management systems have resolved many challenges fleet managers face. Let’s explore what remote fleet management entails and how it simplifies a fleet manager’s role.
What is remote fleet management?
Remote fleet management refers to the use of advanced fleet systems that enable fleet managers to monitor their vehicles and manage their fleet operations from anywhere, without constant in-person oversight. Using GPS and GMS technology, managers can see where their vehicles are, how they perform on a given day, and how safely they’re being driven. With such a level of connectivity and a wealth of information, managers can make better decisions to address issues on the spot. Fleet management is a powerful solution for thriving in today’s flexible and hybrid workforce.
Why hybrid workforces require fleet management systems
Fleet managers often wear many hats and need a thorough view of on-site operations to ensure the business runs smoothly. Effective fleet management systems keep you informed with real-time updates about your vehicles, allowing you to quickly identify any misuse and optimise the use of resources, such as fuel.
In the Fleet Management in South Africa report for 2024, Rickard Andersson the principal analyst at Berg Insight optimistically projects that the number of fleet management systems used will increase from 2.3 million units in Q4-2023 to 3.8 million by 2028. This is a view of the future that indicates that companies are scaling their fleets to maintain the growth of their business and profitability.
Here are the reasons hybrid workforces implement fleet management systems in their businesses.
Increase vehicle visibility
Fleet vehicles are often needed in remote and hazardous locations where there’s limited infrastructure. Examples of this can be seen in mines in the Limpopo province and the Eastern Cape. Managing these fleets can be particularly challenging for fleet managers who manage their fleets off-site. Fleet systems give you a view of your vehicle’s location and help enforce safety protocols like following the speed limit and following a safe distance while driving at any time you need it.
Speeding and excessive idling will no longer be a concern with the system’s protocol for monitoring driver behaviour and ensuring compliance. This lets you respond quickly to issues like unexpected breakdowns or delays due to poor road conditions. Ensuring that projects stay on track and vehicles are used safely and efficiently.
Reduce operational costs
A hybrid workforce, if managed incorrectly, can lead to increased costs. However, with a fleet system, you can identify inefficiencies in your operations and reduce expenses by monitoring key factors like fuel usage, maintenance needs, and driver behaviour. This system provides real-time alerts on actions such as speeding or tailgating, which can significantly impact fuel costs.
By addressing these behaviours as they occur, you not only lower fuel expenses but also reduce accident rates and maintenance needs, ultimately keeping operational costs in check.
Improve driver performance and safety
South Africa faces a high rate of theft and hijacking. Unfortunately, the mining industry is not spared from this. It also affects fleet vehicles and machinery like construction and mining equipment. In one case, an excavator, weighing 30 tons and worth about R1m, was stolen from a Free State sand mine and driven across the Caldeon River in Lesotho. With fleet management systems, you can monitor your equipment activity on-site.
This enables you to see where your vehicles and equipment are in real-time. Create virtual fences by drawing boundaries around work sites so that you can be alerted when vehicles enter and exit a virtual fence.
Increase customer satisfaction
South Africa’s business sector is said to be a mature market therefore it’s a very competitive market. This is due to a lack of investment and an economic downturn. A management system is essential to minimise equipment downtime and adhere to project schedules. Achieving that increases customer satisfaction and strengthens your business’s reputation. Fleet management systems enable effective project planning and streamlined operations. This also allows you to communicate accurate ETAs to your clients.
Key features of Cartrack’s fleet management system
At Cartrack, we believe fleet management can be simple and effective, regardless of where your team is working. It is an integral part of having a system that ensures that projects are completed on time and within the budget while providing a great experience for customers.
Here are some of the ways Cartrack’s all-in-one fleet management systems help companies excel with a hybrid workforce.
Real-time GPS tracking
Are you worried about your vehicles and equipment getting stolen? With Cartrack’s GPS and telematics tracking technology you can relax, If your assets go missing our real-time tracking will pinpoint exactly where they are. It’s like having your own personal virtual guard 24/7.
Driver Identification tags (DID)
A driver identification (DID) tag is a key-ring-sized tag that is linked to your ignition key. It helps you identify who is on duty, who is driving which vehicle and for how long. It is also an extra layer of protection against theft. If your vehicle is used without a tag, it will send an alert as a potential theft situation.
Geofencing and alerts
Imagine having a digital eye on your entire fleet, with Geofencing this is possible. Our system enables you to create virtual boundaries around sites your vehicles work on. You can create boundaries around each site and designated routes vehicles are allowed to travel. When one of your vehicles enters or exits a designated area, the system immediately sends you an alert. This feature helps you confirm that drivers follow their assigned routes and schedules.
MiFleet
Cartrack understands that managing a fleet of vehicles can be challenging and time-consuming with many tasks like fleet maintenance, monitoring driver behaviour, vehicle performance, and fuel usage. MiFleet empowers you to make data-driven decisions from anywhere. Stay up to date with vehicle licensing, fuel costs per vehicle, toll fee payments as well as issued fines. Plus, MiFleet automatically emails detailed reports to decision-makers, so you can focus on streamlining your operations and boosting your bottom line.
Cartrack CANBus
This product is perfect for fleet managers who need to monitor vehicle and machinery engine performance closely. Think of Cartrack’s CANBus as a real-time mechanic. It connects to your vehicle’s system to extract a wealth of data on engine performance in real time. This information includes revs per minute (RPM), odometer readings, water and oil temperature, and the gears selected. This telematics device delivers all the essential information needed for informed decision-making, automatically stored on Cartrack’s Fleet Pages platform.
AI camera monitoring
Cartrack’s Vision take driver safety to the next level, giving businesses the tools to keep their drivers protected and ensure that safety practices are consistently followed. Imagine having AI cameras on board that not only help prevent accidents, collisions, or rollovers but can also audibly alert drivers to possible dangers in real-time. It’s like having an extra set of eyes on the road, helping to catch risks before they become issues.
Fleet managers can use this technology to address high-risk driving behaviours like speeding, distracted driving, mobile phone use, and even smoking. Curious about how it all works? With advanced vision algorithms and sensors, Cartrack’s AI Vision system continuously captures and analyzes video footage, detecting key movements inside the vehicle. If a driver’s head turns or they show signs of distraction, the AI immediately sends an alert.
Are you ready to take your fleet operations to the next level?
Contact Cartrack Swaziland today to discover how our fleet management system can help your business excel in a hybrid work environment.
Optimise your hybrid workforce with Cartrack’s fleet management system
Cartrack’s fleet management system is the ultimate tool for remote fleet management. Empower your team to monitor and optimise operations from anywhere, anytime. By reducing fuel consumption, minimising downtime, and enhancing driver safety, Cartrack helps you achieve peak efficiency and cost-effectiveness, even when you’re far away.
Frequently asked questions
Want to know more? Here are a few more questions we get asked. If you don’t get an answer to your burning questions, reach out to us anytime.
Q: How does Cartrack ensure data security for fleet management?
A: Cartrack is committed to keeping your data private and safe. Our operations are governed by regulatory policies that ensure we maintain customer trust and prevent unauthorised access to valuable customer insights. It directs how we gather, store and handle personal data.
Q: Can small businesses benefit from fleet management systems?
A: Absolutely! Cartracks has different fleet management solutions that you can choose from, depending on the size of your business and its specific needs. Fleet management provides a full view of your fleet from anywhere and anytime.
Q: What kind of training is provided for using Cartrack’s system?
A: Cartrack provides fleet customers with all the necessary training on how to use the fleet platform and how to optimise it for the best results. Once you have one of our fleet packages you can send your request for fleet training to fptraining@cartrack.com. Cartrack provides you with recurring training meaning, if you have a new fleet manager training is provided for them. For example, six months down the line you get a new fleet manager. You can request training for them free of charge. This means that all training is done by Cartrack, saving you the time and money needed to hire someone to do the training.
Q: Are there mobile applications available for fleet managers?
A: Cartrack understands that fleet managers can’t always be at their computers monitoring their vehicles and fleet data. That is why, we have developed a mobile application with the busy fleet manager in mind. With Cartrack’s mobile app, you can monitor your vehicle’s activity straight from your mobile phone; monitor driver behaviour, view last position reports and review alert reports on speed, risk, fuel and many more.
