The biggest misconception when it comes to adopting a vehicle tracking system for fleet management

Probably the biggest misconception when it comes to adopting a vehicle tracking system for fleet management, is that the company drivers will strongly oppose it. We have always known this was not the case in most circumstances, from the numerous cases where Frotcom was implemented. But now there is clear evidence that we were right.

Arval, one of the leading vehicle leasing and fleet management companies, interviewed thousands of European fleet managers of companies where vehicle tracking systems had been installed. One of the questions was about the acceptance by drivers of the gathering of driving behaviour data. The replies were quite interesting. In the case of small companies, 85% of the managers reported that drivers were open or had no opinion about the system. Only 8% were reluctant and 7% were strongly opposed. In the case of medium and large companies, 81% of the managers reported that drivers were open or had no opinion. 14% were reluctant and 5% were strongly opposed.

In sum, in the majority of companies where vehicle tracking systems are installed, drivers have a positive or neutral view of it.

Why so, when in fact this type of system undeniably increases the control over the driving behaviour? We believe that a vehicle tracking system is seen by the good drivers as the chance to finally provide evidence to their hierarchies of that good driving behaviour. For them, it is finally the possibility to see their skills and behaviour duly recognized by the company. Naturally, for the not so conscious drivers, the feeling is not so positive.

This is good news also for the companies thinking of adopting a system such as Frotcom. In fact, in the same study, Arval found that the number of both small and medium/large size companies which have telematics systems – vehicle tracking and fleet management systems – is bound to continue to increase.

Frotcom always recommends that the company inform upfront the drivers of the implementation of the new system, explaining how it works and what it does (and does not). This normally reduces misconceptions and increases acceptance.

Job dispatching has never been SO EASY!

We are proud to announce the official launch of the new Workforce Management module.

At the beginning of this year we announced the development of a new Workforce Management module (see January 2013’s newsletter). After the final touches, April 2013 is the month that marks the official launch of the Workforce Management module.

The module is designed for companies needing to dispatch jobs to their mobile workforce, at the same time maximizing their productivity and keeping a real time control of the operations.

With the new module, based on Android 3G tablets and smartphones, companies are now able to better control their mobile workforce.

The Workforce Management module in Frotcom improves the communication between the office and drivers or workforces, by allowing companies to interact with them in several different ways and managing closely the assignment of jobs and their execution. Companies can track in real time how each job is progressing.

  Benefits

• Dispatch jobs easily and keep them under control – Assign jobs to the most suited vehicle/drivers and then monitor the progression of each job against the plan for the day;

•  Minimize fuel consumption and get there on time – Drivers can navigate directly to their destinations using the integrated navigator; no more driving around;

•  Increase productivity – Drivers will be able to complete more orders without extra strain – and use their time in a better way;

•  Document every step of the way – collect forms from the field at each milestone: proof of delivery, refused jobs, refuelling, waiting, etc.

If you’d like to know more about the new Workforce Management, please contact us (marketing@frotcom.com).

N.G.R.C. is reducing operating costs with Frotcom

N.G.R.C., an Angolan company working across multiple sectors such as transportation and construction, relies on Frotcom to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

N.G.R.C – Nelson Gonzaga Ramos Caetano, LDA., brings 30 years of experience  in fuel transportation services in Angola. N.G.R.C. also provides wholesale fuels and lubricants, installation of gas pumps and construction of gas stations.

The company maintains a fleet with more than 200 vehicles which consists of tanker trucks to transport fuel and dump-trucks to transport water, soil and big machinery. Its national coverage and field activities have demanded a better monitoring of the vehicles for cost decrease.

The fact that Frotcom provides an all-inclusive solution with no hidden or extra costs was one of the reasons why N.G.C.R. decided to install Frotcom. Today, N.G.R.C. fuel transportation services combine their dispatch methodology with Frotcom’s technology.

“We work with Frotcom since 2010 and taking into account the great benefits that it brought to our company, we can say that it is a good investment. Frotcom is a company that considers our opinions and concerns, always giving professional advices. We hope that Frotcom continues to improve and innovate, so we can all benefit”, said Mr. Marco Rebelo, Fleet Manager of N.G.R.C.