Safety should be the first and foremost thing on any fleet or service manager’s mind. As such, it’s a crucial factor to bear in mind when selecting an effective fleet management system. In this article, we’ll examine what to look for.
The necessary checks and balances for fleet safety
Fleet safety starts with the basics. At a minimum, automotive fleet managers should ensure that their vehicles keep to their recommended service and VHC schedules. Not only will this keep your warranties intact, but it also allows potential safety defects to be identified early. ForWare makes managing this easy; the system simply sends you a notification when a service becomes due based on mileage or time. It also makes service history documentation easily accessible—there’s no longer a need to dig through piles of paperwork stored across disparate filing boxes.
Regular vehicle compliance tests are now mandatory in virtually all European countries. In Ireland, this takes the form of the NCT or CVRT for commercial vehicles. In the UK, the MOT is the standard. Passing these tests ensures that your vehicles are regarded as being in top condition as per current road safety requirements. At first glance, managing test dates and follow-up repair work across a large fleet might seem daunting. However, with an efficient software system such as ForWare, this becomes quite easy. ForWare Compliance enables fleet managers to store compliance documentation in one location and book tests from one touch point. This applies even if your fleet comprises a wide range of vehicle makes and types. It also enables you to book post-test follow-up work.
Good fleet management software enables efficient operation of all aspects of your fleet; as mentioned, safety and compliance are integral parts of such a programme. For fleet management software to be effective, it needs to be adaptable, flexible, user-friendly and integratable with common motor trade DMS systems. We can train your staff on how to use ForWare in around half an hour,, and it can be plugged into systems such as Autoview and Keyloop. And, as we shall see, it’s also very adaptable and flexible.
What works for one fleet may not work for another. It’s best to avoid a ‘one-size-fits-all’ automotive fleet management system, or you may find said system to be as much a hindrance as a help. Rather, look for a system that is dynamic and adaptable. ForWare prides itself on being customisable for individual fleet requirements. Perhaps you run a mix of petrol/diesel and electric vehicles. No problem, ForWare can adapt to that. Perhaps you operate a fleet of vans with tail lifts, and ‘one-size-fits-all’ compliance systems don’t cater for such features. ForWare can. We also constantly take on feedback from fleet operators and implement changes as is practical. ForWare is based around the idea that a good fleet management system should work for you, not the other way around.
Excellent product support is crucial to the success of any fleet management system. At ForWare, our support team prides itself on delivery world class support, and we are always available to assist fleet managers and service teams to get the best results from our product. As mentioned, our Development Team regularly updates our systems using feedback received from users.
It should go without saying that experience comes into its own when it comes to managing fleet safety. The ForWare product is built on the experience of its staff and users. For example, Alan Maher, our Business Development Manager, has over 25 years’ experience working across the Irish motor trade. He knows what Fleet Managers and Service Managers need in a system if they are to effectively manage fleet safety, and he’s happy to distil that experience in his consultations.
For more information, or to book a free demo, call Alan today on 021 484 5550 or email alan@forware.io.
Alan is a positive and proactive automotive professional with over 25 years of extensive experience in the motor trade.
Alan has been vital in developing and driving the ForWare System and implementing core workshop processes with some of the most significant state and private fleets in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
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