Big data, artificial intelligence, robots and apps are all commonplace buzzwords, and technology is increasingly creeping into the logistics and fleet management space.
Not only are fleet managers being inundated with data coming in from vehicles, including all sorts of sources such as fuel consumption, revving, idling and tyre pressure, but now they also have to intelligently analyse that data so they can work out what is going on with the fleet.
Because of the increasing amount of data, which presents new challenges for fleet managers, it’s increasingly likely that a virtual fleet manager – or app – will soon hit app stores.
These apps are meant to offer an end-to-end telematics service, helping companies support fleets all the way from the initial lease through to the end of the contract, which should decrease fleet manager’s workloads.
A fleet app – which would work through telematics – should analyse fleet data, and send customers feedback, as well as advice on what to do to improve the overall efficiency of fleets.
In fact, a UK company, Trakm8, has already launched a cloud-based virtual fleet manager for small and medium enterprises. This low cost manager aims to cut insurance premiums, trim fuel costs and reduce the administration aggravation.
This virtual fleet manager can be self-installed in 10 minutes, and also allows drivers to view their personal data via an app, while fleet managers can view overall activity of fleet vehicles through a portal, or an app – which allows for reports to be created.
These reports include a Vehicle Timesheet Report, available for download, which shows activity of all on-road vehicles, including start times and time spent driving or idling.
This all sounds fantastic in theory.
However, an app – or virtual manager – cannot replace or replicate the human element, especially in South Africa.
This is why fleet managers are still vital: they understand road conditions in South Africa, they understand that fleets need regular alignment (well before an app warns you that tyres are not wearing uniformly), and they understand traffic patterns. Reports are all fine and well, however, it still takes a human to interpret the data and match it to local conditions – which an app or virtual manager cannot do.
In fact, one of the reasons apps fail is because of poor user experience – it just doesn’t do what you think it should, or promises to do. Apps are also often not properly tested, which leads to incorrect data, and frustrated users.
Virtual managers can be useful, as long as the human element is not removed because that’s where the magic is added – and that’s where and how you future proof your company.
