Industrial Fleet Management - Paper or Wireless?

"Fleet management is not a one time activity, it’s an ongoing journey of continual improvement," says Dennis Beame, CEO of EFLEET Solutions and founder of IntelleFleet. The most productive and seasoned operators of industrial electric (IE) or internal combustion (IC), vehicles, including millions of lift trucks (MHE)  and ground support equipment (GSE) such as bag tractors, belt loaders and plane push-backs are ultimately no more productive than the least reliable industrial vehicles being used. Numerous factors compound this dilemma as businesses struggle to protect razor-thin margins, often at the cost of reduced fleet maintenance budgets. The results are inevitable; cut back on fleet maintenance and pay the consequences in the forms of reduced uptime, premature equipment failure, and increased - unscheduled and expensive - mechanical break downs.

In order for a comprehensive industrial fleet maintenance program to succeed, the common denominator is the same: it must be "Wireless, Paperless, Personless, Fully Automated, and Accessible (on-line and across the enterprise)." These wireless systems must include the ability to up-load and issue "Real Time" text and email message alerts pinpointing potential equipment problems or need for service before those units become out of control liabilities. And finally, fleet maintenance systems must be based on predictive economic models and formulas governing the equipment replacement cycles.

Many managers still use paper records to track and record cost and utilization statistics so vital to accurate fleet management decision making. Unfortunately, relying on paper systems that require personnel resources are often sidelined as the designated personnel are often too busy putting out other fires. A fully-automated system collects and processes fleet data in an uninterrupted fashion with objective and unbiased report outputs.

Will your MHE or GSE fleet management system be treated as a loss producing part of your company’s history or as a productive, problem solving asset, ensuring a positive corporate future?

Author: Dennis F. Beame is CEO of EFLEET Solutions, an independent consulting firm that assists fleet managers in selecting and implementing the "best fit" solutions to maximizing fleet productivity while reducing operating expenses. Email: Dennis@efleetsolutions.com

NAFA Creates Advisory Council to Address Concerns of Corporate Fleet Managers

For the last few years, corporate fleet managers have sought a larger avenue within NAFA Fleet Management Association to voice their concerns and ensure their needs were met. Yet, many of these same corporate fleet managers were unable to volunteer for NAFA committees or be part of NAFA leadership due to busy work schedules. Recognizing a need to get corporate leaders more involved, NAFA created the Corporate Fleet Advisory Council comprised of 21 fleet managers from some of the largest corporations in the world. This Council will advise on new and existing NAFA products, comment on future direction, and point out new opportunities for the Association. In essence, the Council will utilize the knowledge, experience, and influential ideas of these corporate leaders in a way that works within their schedule.

"My hope is that the Council will help NAFA improve so that we can deliver an outstanding value to every corporate fleet manager," explained NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE, who will be directing the Council. "I want every corporate fleet manager – member and potential member – to understand the value NAFA offers and the fact that NAFA is and will continue to be an unquestionable asset for them.

The inspiration behind the Council was simple. There was a perception that NAFA was ignoring corporate fleet managers and putting all of its resources toward the government fleet sector. That was not, and is not, true, but as the saying goes, ‘perception is reality.’" Russo personally invited two dozen corporate fleet managers of which 21 agreed to be on the Council. Together they present a wealth of fleet knowledge and experience unmatched in the industry. The three who turned down the invitation said they were already stretched too thin at their job to be part of the Council, but were pleased to see NAFA reach out to the corporate sector in this manner. 

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