BUSINESS RESOURCES + TOOLS
selecting a GPS fleet management solution
10 tips for
82 BY R. WAYNE JOHNSON
ability to maximize efficiency and reduce costs while keeping customers happy. A GPS fleet management solution can help you improve fleet performance and mobile worker productivity and increase customer satisfaction while delivering significant savings on labor, fuel and other expenses. To help your decision-making process, we offer 10 tips for selecting a GPS fleet management solution.
I
Tip No. 1: Demand proven ROI. A January 2011 study by industry
research firm Aberdeen Group showed an average 11 percent increase in service and an average cost savings in thousands of dollars per vehicle through the use of fleet management applications. These figures could serve as a comparison benchmark to what is promised by various providers. Ask potential fleet management solution providers about their typical customer ROI and request specific examples.
Tip No. 2: Find a modular solution for maximum flexibility. Make sure the provider has all the components needed as your business
n today’s challenging business environment, your company’s competitive edge depends on its
grows, without having to pay for more than you need for your initial deployment. Ideally, you want a full- service, end-to-end fleet management provider that will offer an “a la carte” menu of options so you can start with what you need and scale up later. Select a solution with all the
hardware, software and services to • manage the mobile worker. Track
work status, time, location, speed, fuel use and driver safety. • manage the mobile worker’s
work. Automate service scheduling and dispatch. • manage the mobile worker’s
assets. Keep vehicles running in good condition and maintain inventory, equipment and other field assets.
Tip No. 3: Examine the provider’s technology infrastructure. Is the solution provider running
reliably and able to store and deliver your data whenever you need it? • Availability: Make sure the
provider’s system has a high uptime. The goal is a system that has 99.9+% availability, supported by duplicate data centers in alternate locations, power generated backup and a sophisticated emergency response system for unexpected outages. • Security: Confirm that your data will be protected by choosing a
provider with the highest level of security. The best provider will consider its system’s security as an important issue and will have various levels of security measures in place. • Data: Make sure that your data is
continually backed up, kept private and stored safely. Select a provider that keeps your data behind a firewall and takes precautions to ensure that only authorized people can access it.
Tip No. 4: Evaluate the provider’s customer service and support. Regardless of your business size,
you want to know that your fleet management provider will be there to provide quick, expert technical support when problems arise. What is the provider’s implementation plan? What type of documentation and training are available? How are service requests handled?
Tip No. 5: Look for a provider with a history of stability and growth. Especially in today’s economy, a
crucial part of a purchasing decision is to consider the stability of the solution provider. You want assurance that your solution will be supported for many years to come. Be sure the provider has a long history of service,
e Continued on p 84
phc august 2011
www.phcnews.com
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