Fleet management systems can help ensure that your fleet is operating at maximum efficiency and productivity, while keeping costs and risks to a minimum. This can include tracking and controlling fuel consumption, operational costs, vehicle maintenance, driver safety and compliance, and route planning.  

Fleet management solutions work by using telematics and vehicle tracking systems like GPS to record pieces of vehicle information that are then sent to advanced software programs that analyze the stream of data. These software programs can report on specifics to help users to calculate location, speed, idling time, mileage, and trip history. More advanced fleet tracking systems can include video, maps, speed limits, fuel consumption, traffic, and road conditions.

Fleet management solutions can be either “real-time” or “passive.” Both types of technology offer data on vehicle location, direction, speed, etc. Real-time tools allow managers to know what’s happening in the field as it happens with live updates. Passive solutions collect valuable data in a vehicle that can be downloaded manually or wirelessly, but it is not accessible in real-time should there be an accident or another problem.

The most effective fleet management software can help save time and money by: 

• Providing dynamic, real-time data
• Automating manual processes
• Empowering fleet managers to make better decisions backed by data

The best fleet management solutions will efficiently relay all of the above in real-time to companies so that they can pinpoint exact locations of vehicles, receive driving and maintenance updates, and monitor fuel efficiency. It will also help companies build trust with drivers, improve overall driving behavior, and reward the safest drivers in the fleet. Most importantly, a top fleet management software will help you improve your processes and save money in the long run.

Companies can improve the management of their fleet by focusing on automating processes so that managers have more time and accurate data to make better decisions. Compiling and analyzing data manually takes a lot more time and resources versus using automated tools that can do this within seconds or minutes, delivering critical information to users.

Fleet managers can get started on improving their fleets by embracing telematics and collecting data for preventative maintenance and optimizing fuel management.

Fleet management has many components with specific best practices for each. Here are best practices for some of the major categories:

• Fleet tracking - Know where your vehicles are in real-time* to maximize efficiency and productivity
• Safety protocol – Review safety procedures with your drivers and operators regularly and provide easy access in a simple format. 
• Ongoing coaching - Use fleet dash cams to capture risky driving events and use the video as coaching tools with your drivers.
• Tracking maintenance – Know when scheduled vehicle maintenance is needed to avoid costly repairs down the road.
• Proof of compliance – Have your certifications, registrations, insurance policies, and licenses all at the ready—both digitally and in hard copy. Keep up with Department of Transportation regulations with services that specialize in analyzing compliance data. 

Lytx fleet management solutions combine video, machine vision technology, and vehicle data to offer insight beyond standard telematics (or “passive” data collection) and provides companies with a full picture of their fleet at any moment. 

With Lytx, you can customize our modular fleet management solutions to suit your company’s needs. Some of the customizations Lytx offers include:

Dash cams – Our cloud-connected camera systems, combined with the Lytx Video Platform, provide continuous and reliable video footage. The ability to search and locate video quickly helps to protect drivers, saves companies time and money, and improves fleet efficiency. 

GPS fleet tracking – Lytx offers a video-enhanced fleet tracking service that allows companies to locate, track, and manage fleets in real time*. Integrated video systems give companies a complete picture of fleet performance and optimize fleet operations. 

Fleet safety solutions – Lytx offers a fleet safety program as part of our fleet management solutions. The Driver Safety Program provides video coaching to improve risky behavior and utilizes our Risk Detection Service to monitor driving and report concerns to managers. 

Compliance services – Lytx’s DOT compliance service can help companies improve scores, reduce risk, comply with mandates, and lower operating costs. Lytx’s integrated tools automate these processes taking the guesswork out of compliance management.