fleet-fuel-management-5-lessonsSometimes dealing with your fleet’s fuel-related issues can seem truly hopeless. There are costs and hazards at every turn. But it needn’t be so frustrating, or even so expensive. One simple business decision – implementing a fleet fuel management system – can help you get out in front of your operation.

Others have gone before you, and they’ve loved the results. Here are just five things you can learn from them:

Lesson #1: You can gain control of your fuel assets.
That may be more than you dreamed possible, but a fleet fuel management system gives you end-to-end visibility. You can track every drop of fuel from the time it arrives till it’s dispensed, and then ensure it’s being used wisely.

Because the system is automated and electronic, it functions in real time, capturing information during every fueling event and, at the same time, ensuring the right fuel is being dispensed into the right vehicle. You’re covered for security, and you’re covered against human error that causes record-keeping mistakes or confusion as to where your fuel is going.

Lesson #2: You can better manage your fleet.
Automatically tracking engine hours and other pertinent data makes it easier to stay on schedule with preventive maintenance. Plus, your system will alert you to engine trouble codes or other potential problems so you can respond right away. Earliest-possible repairs cost less. And less down time means your fleet can spend more time on the road.

Lesson #3: You can better manage your drivers.
All that information you capture also shows things like run time and idle time. You can detect if drivers are using fuel-wasting techniques such as PTO, hard braking or lengthy idling. A little re-training and you’re on the road to lower fuel consumption. Better driving also reduces the risk of costly accidents and eliminates unnecessary wear-and-tear that leads to higher maintenance and repair costs.

And drivers that don’t have to waste time writing down fueling information have more time to devote to revenue-generating activities. When they get more done each day, you make more money. You can grow – adding services or deliveries per day without adding more personnel.

Lesson #4: You can save money, despite high and volatile fuel prices
If your operation is typical, fuel represents your highest ongoing expense other than payroll. Saving money with better control and reduced fuel consumption generates savings that can be truly significant. A fleet fuel management system can pay for itself, and they keep paying off.

Lesson #5: The benefits of fleet fuel management transcend fuel.
An automated system gives you an entirely new set of decision-making tools. You get detailed information to manage assets and costs throughout your operation. Real time visibility not only ensures faster response, it improves every aspect of your record-keeping. The information you need for official reporting or other compliance requirements is right at your fingertips. And if you provide third-party fueling services, you can bill faster, with guaranteed accuracy. That boosts cash flow.

You’re able to gather a broad range of data that supports fact-based planning, forecasting and budgeting as well as day-to-day decision making. You can be more strategic and more flexible, ready to snap up unforeseen opportunities.

Anyone can benefit from these lessons.
No matter what size your fleet or how many fueling sites you maintain, a fleet fuel management system can help you operate more efficiently. That’s true whether you’re a private enterprise or public agency, fixed-base or mobile fueling operation.

These lessons are so great it almost makes you want to go back to school. But you don’t have to, you can simply learn from the experience of others. You’ll be “teacher’s pet” with top management or constituents. And if youare the top management, you’ll sleep better knowing your new fleet fuel management system is working round the clock to make your operation more productive and more profitable.

Photo Credit: Moe_ via Flickr