How-to-Choose-A Fuel-Management-SystemPreparation is the key to choosing a fuel management system that will give you the strongest performance, both right away and long term. It’s wise to bring in a fuel management expert right from the start, so you don’t miss any hidden opportunities.

A company knowledgeable about all aspects of fuel handling – and experienced in working with operations like yours – can guide you through the decision-making process. They’ll make sure you ask all the right questions and fully understand the options available, as well as costs and benefits associated with each.

For instance, incorporating FuelMaster Automotive Information Modules (AIM) will generate the most extensive, broad-based savings because AIM makes your fuel management system entirely hands-free. But the AIM modules add cost, too. If you can’t afford the additional initial investment, you can plan to phase in AIMs later, using the savings produced by initially installing the standard FuelMaster ProKees fuel management system.

Those savings will mount up quickly, as the City of Tallahassee discovered, reducing their fuel losses by 97%. Municipalities like Tallahassee are often able to use their bonding capacity to fund capital costs, including contractors and consultants as well as the equipment itself, using their fuel-related savings to pay down bond debt.

Your operation is unique.

The right fuel management system depends on your fleet size, number and location of fueling sites, the age of your current equipment and whether you’re managing a public entity or private enterprise.

Conduct a gap analysis, including a location-by-location assessment, to determine your current status and needs. Include key personnel in the discussion, especially if you have multiple departments or agencies that manage fleets and/or fuel. Consider your overall business and financial goals, because a fuel management system can do wonders reducing directly fuel-related costs but it can do much more, helping you realize efficiencies that save on maintenance, labor and other ancillary costs, too.

Undoubtedly reducing fuel losses is an important goal. But choosing the right fuel management system will provide you with broad, ongoing savings to pay for the system and free up resources to direct to other important areas of your operation.

Photo Credit: Valerie Everett