Forward-thinking, flexible fleet managers will excel

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This is according to Dr David Molapo, head of Standard Bank fleet management who says that under such circumstances, only those who expect and prepare for change will survive. "Those who embrace change and make the most of it, will thrive,” says Molapo.

Arguably, the greatest changes of the last few years have come from the advancement in fleet management technology, mostly in the form of telematics. This technology basically allows fleet managers to see right into the cabin of the driver, even under the hood while the vehicle is on the road - immediately and in real time.

Telematics can be overwhelming

Molapo is of the opinion that risky decisions have to be made about when to adopt new technology - too soon and you get blamed for squandering scarce company resources, too late and you get blamed for making the company lose market share to more edgy competitors. Not only do top executives have to be convinced into accepting the new systems, but virtually everyone else in the company too, including the drivers. Telematics produces a flood of data that threatens to overwhelm fleet managers.

But the right approach to the telematics revolution remains exciting, says Molapo.

“Enthusiasm for the super-efficiency that it has suddenly put within reach of every fleet is what makes modern fleet managers thrive,” he says.
Although probably the most profound for now, telematics is only one of the changes fleet managers need to expect and embrace. Molapo lists some of the others:

• Changing ownership models: Fleets in large parts of the world have moved to leasing or rentals as the primary ownership model for their vehicles, but in South Africa, we still cling to full ownership. In various instances, it is cheaper and more efficient to enter into full maintenance or operating rentals than to own.
  
• Changing fuel prices: Fuel prices fluctuate continuously and as a significant contributor to fleet running costs, it is worthwhile to always have a strategy to reduce fuel consumption - through better driver behaviour, good maintenance management, the combating of fraud and pilfering, and, of course, considering fuel efficient vehicles.
  
• Changing vehicle technology: It is a certainty that new models are always more fuel efficient than the last generation. This is a major factor in purchasing decisions, together with the constant improvement of safety and durability. Although the current changes are much more incremental than those brought about by telematics, revolution is in the air. It is only a matter of time before electrical vehicles make a serious entry into the market, and these will almost certainly be followed by various levels of self-driving cars. Expect much decision-making agony in years to come, but also excitement.
  
• Changing staff outlook: Prudent fleet managers are learning fast not to take their drivers for granted and to be on the lookout for new recruits, who are suitably qualified. Fleet managers who do not constantly sharpen their people management skills risk facing a high turnover of drivers.
  
• Changing regulations: Changes to road traffic regulations have resulted in greater accountability to those people who hire transport companies in regards to accidents. This means that many road freight fleets will now have to adopt more formal safety procedures and systems in order to convince clients that they are safe to hire.
  
• Changing road conditions: One can argue about whether the potholes are winning the race against newly tarred surfaces and toll roads against open routes. The fact is, in a developing country like South Africa, roads change all the time, and prudent route planning is an important tool of the nimble fleet manager.

“It’s clear that change is on the way. But - paradoxically - it is a constant factor that every manager must try to predict and manage in order to move their business, employees and, most importantly, clients forward every day,” concludes Molapo.