Mobile Fleet Management Will Help Keep Vehicles on the Road

The demand for online shopping started slowly but ultimately was embraced by consumers in ways that companies never expected. The norm is now to have an app on a smartphone that can summon a Paratransit van, non-emergency medical transportation (NMET), or wheelchair accessible taxi on demand.  

 

The same desire for instant service based on the “on-demand” model created by online retailers is also fueling a new paradigm of fleet management service as well. The old way of taking one vehicle at a time off the road for assistance has been replaced by mobile services arriving at the fleet’s business to service multiple vehicles at one time. This “on-demand” service is similar to using smartphone apps like the ones used for ride-sharing. Now it’s carrying over to fleet management as a service for taxis, NEMT vans, and Paratransit fleets.

 

Fleet Managers are Embracing the Change

 

Spiffy, a Raleigh-Durham North Carolina company that began with car wash and detailing services, has now branched out to providing fleet customers with mobile tire service, which includes purchasing, installation, and recycling of old tires. It’s an on-demand service for fleet managers, and they’re embracing the change. Using Fleet Management-as-a-Service (FMaaS), they’re now servicing over 1,000 vehicles per day and is eyeing national expansion of this service.

 

The company is also considering adding additional services, not only for fleet managers but for office parks and residential neighborhoods as well. If all goes according to plan, it could become the de facto on-demand model in the vehicle service industry.

 

Fleet managers are adopting mobile technology quickly. In fact, 70% of service professionals have made it a top priority for their fleet. And over 61% of van and truck drivers believe that a connected vehicle results in an immediate return on investment. It’s not just cost-savings that are involved, because by having the ability to change schedules and pick up passengers at the last minute, customer satisfaction is soaring as well.

 

Saving Time, Reducing Costs

 

Fleet managers know that maintaining and managing fleets is the most significant cost driver. Regardless of its size, whether it consists of several commercial wheelchair vans or 50 taxis, keeping those vehicles on the road can create many challenges and can have a considerable impact on the company’s bottom line.

 

To meet this challenge, T-Mobile introduced “SyncUp FLEET.” It uses vehicle sensors to analyze vehicle data and alerts fleet managers to required service and maintenance issues, saving time, and reduce costs. It can also be used to create more efficient routes for paratransit drivers transporting wheelchair passengers to doctor appointments, for example, reducing overall fuel costs.

 

A Look at What’s Next

 

While mobile tire service was the first successful fleet management service that was widely adopted by fleet managers, more services are on the way. All sizes of fleets in every locale are now utilizing the technology. Mobile fleet services will likely expand to include preventive maintenance, vehicle repairs, and other services.

 

Municipalities and government agencies are also starting to adopt fleet management technologies. And more will be utilizing this technology thanks to its ease of implementation. 

Photo by JLaw45

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.