With the appropriate software, the burden of maintaining and servicing a fleet can be lessened. Software automates a range of tasks to reduce time-consuming chores and costs, plus works to increases shop efficiency and productivity.
Among other things, fleet maintenance software can help with:
- Maintenance planning.
- Maintenance, service and repair tracking of individual assets.
- Technician performance measurement.
- Parts and inventory purchasing, management and planning.
- Assets and parts warranty management.
- Shop management.
- Operations support and budgeting.
ESSENTIALS
When looking for fleet maintenance software, there are several must-haves, say the providers. These include:
- Ease of use. The software should be well organized, easy to learn and have an intuitive user interface.
- Flexibility and scalability. It should have the ability to modify the functionality of an application to meet specific business needs, as well as add new functionality to meet a fleet’s needs and requirements as it evolves over time.
- Compatibility. Any new software should be able to work together with current software without having to be altered to do so.
- Integration. When software can be integrated into other information systems, information can be shared and that leads to wiser business planning and decision making.
THE VENDOR
Beyond the software itself, another important consideration is finding the right software vendor. At a minimum, this evaluation ought to include:
- References. Ask for references in your industry and check with these customers to learn about their service experiences. Also search the Internet for reviews on vendors.
- Background check. How many years has the company been in business? Does it have strong capabilities and credibility?
- Support. What type of customer service and support does the vendor provide and offer?
- Training. What type of training is provided and offered?
- Technical support. What type of technical support is provided? Is this part of the software package?
- Upgrades. How well is the software supported through maintenance releases, updates and upgrades? How are these accomplished?
It is wise to “test drive” any new software before making a purchase, advise fleet maintenance software suppliers. Trying out a software’s features, benefits and usability will help determine if it “feels right” for your operation.
