Digitising your fleet
Avoiding the challenges, gaining the benefits
So, it’s clear that, across the world, businesses are still keen to add more digital capabilities to their fleet operation. But why are they so committed to investing more in these solutions? And are there any obstacles they need to watch out for?
What are the most compelling reasons to invest more in digital fleet management solutions?
Reducing operational costs
Enhancing driver and vehicle safety
Gaining better visibility and control over fleet assets
Providing better support and tools for drivers
Improving customer service and satisfaction
Reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact
Managing compliance responsibilities
The benefits of more fleet digitisation will be recognisable for most readers. Less costs, enhanced safety, more visibility, better driver support—in other words, solving the pain points shared by every business with a fleet. The challenges are a more complex proposition.
What are the biggest challenges in adopting new digital fleet solutions?
High cost of implementation and maintenance
Integrating with existing systems and processes
Training and change management for personnel
Concerns about data security and privacy
Improving customer service and satisfaction
Reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact
Lack of in-house technical expertise
Let’s take a look at three of the most common pain points
High cost of implementation and maintenance
To minimise the costs associated with implementing and maintaining a new solution, you have to think strategically before you buy. One thing to consider is scalability—can you gradually deploy this solution across your fleet? This way, you can begin with the key functionalities and then expand as budget allows, spreading the cost over time.
Also, as your business grows and becomes more complex, these solutions can grow with it to suit your developing needs.
In terms of maintenance costs, this is where investing in premium hardware and software is key. If affordability comes at the expense of durability, you can expect higher costs in the medium to long term. The more reliable the solution, the less downtime and upkeep it will require, the longer the hardware lifecycle will be and the more accurate the data will be, so factor that in when you calculate your ROI.
It’s crucial to assess the compatibility of any potential solution with your current systems. Providers that offer open APIs and SDKs, for example, facilitate seamless data exchange between platforms. Customisation options are also essential; they allow tailoring of the solution to fit specific operational needs and workflows.
Also, demand technical expertise from your provider, with guidance on API usage, data mapping and troubleshooting to support an efficient integration.
Integrating with existing systems
Data security
Keeping data secure is no joke for a modern fleet business. From potential theft and fraud to operational disruption and reputational damage, a breach in your security presents countless major risks. So, making sure any new solution comes with formidable protection is a top priority.
At Webfleet, we’re committed to the security and privacy of your information. Our solutions are ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certified.
That means we meet the highest possible standards for data security in Europe. Essentially, though the risk of criminal threats to your company’s data evolves, this standard evolves to ensure those threats are prevented. And that’s the standard we apply to keeping your driver and vehicle data secure.
When you have introduced a new digital fleet solution, how much resistance from your drivers have you experienced?
A lot of resistance
Some resistance
Not much resistance
No resistance at all
How do you address resistance to new digital fleet solutions from your drivers?
Providing extensive training and support
Comprehensive internal communication and education
Actively involving drivers in decisions related to new technology
Implementing incentive programmes to drive adoption
Supporting drivers with a digitised workflow
There has long been a myth that professional drivers resist digital solutions. In truth, however, the trends point in the opposite direction.
In 2023’s Webfleet European Van Driver Report, we found that the majority of drivers across Europe wanted more support from digital solutions in their working day. As we see above, only 32% of fleet managers cite driver resistance as one of the biggest challenges when adding new solutions—the fifth of the seven potential challenges listed.
And here we see that heavy pushback from drivers to a new solution is rare for modern businesses. However, as with any change to working processes, a degree of discomfort can be expected and will need to be addressed. Here’s how today’s fleet managers are getting past that barrier and ensuring their drivers understand the full value of the new solutions at their disposal.
The bottom line is that introducing new digital solutions to drivers can be a smooth process, so long as you plan clearly and keep communication clear. With this in mind, here are seven best practices to ensure a successful transition and adoption.