Beverley Wise, Webfleet’s Regional Director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, explores how data-driven insights raise the bar in productivity, safety and sustainability.

The UK transport sector is facing significant challenges. With a decline in freight volumes and a significant rise in the operational costs of managing HGVs, fleet operators are under considerable pressure.

Amidst this challenging environment, innovative solutions are called for to enhance productivity and drive efficiency savings.

Fleet management solutions have emerged as vital tools in this regard, offering a multifaceted approach to optimising performance, improving service delivery, and bolstering financial health.

Harnessing data for smarter decisions

Telematics platforms have long proved valuable for informed decision-making by providing real-time data on vehicle and driver performance.

These insights cover a range of areas, from vehicle locations and fuel consumption to driving times and performance behind the wheel. By leveraging this data, fleet managers can prioritise their efforts and allocate resources more efficiently.

Automating business processes and improving workflow through advanced fleet management solutions can streamline operations and reduce the time spent on routine tasks. For instance, remote downloading and archiving of tachograph data not only keeps trucks on the road for longer but also helps ensure regulatory compliance.

Hand-held driver devices can manage daily activities such as order management, proof of delivery, and vehicle checks, freeing up valuable time for drivers and back-office staff.

Optimising operations

Route planning is a critical area where fleet management solutions can significantly enhance productivity. Incorporating live traffic updates helps drivers avoid delays and reduce journey times. For electric vehicle fleets, advanced planning tools that account for battery levels, capacity, average energy consumption and charge point locations enable more cost-efficient routing.

When Mitchells of Mansfield set its stall out to become an early adopter of electric trucks, their higher purchase price meant the company needed to be completely confident in their suitability.

With Webfleet, the Nottinghamshire-based pallet distributor also established a proven business case to switch to the UK’s first electric Renault truck—the 18-tonne E Tech D Wide. By reviewing the mileage, tail lift usage, and average speeds of its original diesel truck, it could anticipate its exact energy needs.

The technology’s dynamic nature allows fleet managers to adjust routes and schedules on the fly, boosting service reliability and customer satisfaction.

Telematics also plays a crucial role in vehicle maintenance. Based on real-time data and predictive analytics, proactive maintenance scheduling can drastically reduce downtime. By preventing costly breakdowns before they occur, vehicles remain operational, contributing to higher productivity.

Furthermore, harnessing fleet data to enhance standards behind the wheel and reduce accidents helps minimise vehicle downtime while lowering repair and insurance costs.

Driver behaviour monitoring and feedback systems, such as Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360, promote improved driving practices and continuous driver training, ensuring long-term improvements.

Enhancing safety and compliance

Fleet management solutions are at the forefront of promoting road safety and navigating complex regulatory demands.

Tachograph management systems, such as Webfleet Tachograph Manager, automate the process of downloading, analysing and archiving tachograph data. This enables operators to focus on core operations while seamlessly adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.

Integrating such solutions into fleet operations provides a clear compliance pathway, as evidenced by the DVSA’s approval of Webfleet Tachograph Manager as part of its earned recognition scheme.

The productivity benefits from this connected tool alone can be considerable. Construction materials giant Breedon, for example, has slashed the amount of time the company spends on tachograph administration by 1,300 hours a year. With 450 HGVs operating across more than 300 sites, Breedon’s drivers and transport managers no longer need to travel to depots to complete downloads.

Trailer brake performance monitoring is another critical aspect of ensuring safety, compliance and operational efficiency.

Innovations in fleet management solutions have led to the development of systems that continuously assess the condition of trailer brakes remotely.

By providing detailed insights into brake performance, these systems pre-emptively identify issues, minimising the need for traditional, quarterly rolling brake tests. In addition to raising the bar in fleet safety, this also means reducing operational disruption and maintenance costs.

A more sustainable future

While tachograph management and brake performance monitoring are crucial for compliance and safety, monitoring carbon emissions is increasingly important for environmental sustainability.

Software solutions, such as the Webfleet CO2 Report, can now offer detailed emissions reporting, invaluable for fleets aiming to reduce their environmental impact and comply with emerging sustainability regulations.

Indeed, with anticipated stricter environmental laws, UK businesses will need to adhere to the latest standards. This will be crucial to not only avoiding penalties but also maintaining a positive corporate image.

These tools facilitate accurate emissions tracking and enable operators to implement strategies for emissions reduction, aligning operational efficiency with their environmental obligations.

Diverse mindsets

The adoption of fleet management technologies can be influenced by the unique mindsets and personality types of fleet decision-makers. These decision-makers can be categorised into innovators, pragmatists and conservatives, with a small ‘c’.

  • Engaging the innovators

Innovators are the early adopters who embrace new technologies and are willing to take risks to gain a competitive advantage.

They tend to be proactive in seeking out and implementing fleet management solutions, recognising the potential benefits of telematics and other advanced systems. Innovators are driven by a desire to lead the market and often have a higher tolerance for the initial outlay and the learning curves invariably associated with rolling out new tech.

  • Convincing the pragmatists

Pragmatists are more cautious but are open to adopting new technologies once proven effective.

They seek reliable solutions with clear, demonstrable benefits and adopt new systems after seeing successful case studies or peer endorsements. Pragmatists focus on balancing cost and benefits, looking for technologies that offer a tangible return on investment without significantly disrupting existing operations.

  • Reassuring the conservatives

Conservatives, with a small ‘c’, are the most resistant to change, often preferring to stick with traditional methods unless there they are compelled to think otherwise

They can be sceptical of new systems and often require compelling evidence of their effectiveness and reliability.

They invariably regard the cost of adoption, training requirements, and the potential for disruption as notable barriers. They may only consider new technologies when faced with regulatory pressures or when lagging significantly behind competitors.

Paradoxically, the risks of sitting tight can prove much greater than grasping the nettle of change.

Building a collaborative future

As we look to the future, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot suffice. Tailored strategies to address different decision-makers’ specific concerns and motivations is crucial.

By fostering a collaborative environment where innovators can share their successes, pragmatists can see proven results, and conservatives can find reassurance in robust data, we can collectively drive the industry forward.

A call to action

The journey towards a smarter, safer and more sustainable future in fleet management is a collective effort.

It requires embracing innovation, supporting cautious adopters with clear evidence, and reassuring those who need it.

The road ahead for the UK transport sector is brimming with opportunities. We can navigate the challenges by leveraging fleet management solutions and build a resilient, efficient and more sustainable future.

Webfleet marks its 25th year anniversary

This year, Webfleet is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The company commemorated the occasion with festivities at its Amsterdam-based headquarters.

“Telematics has revolutionised the transport industry, evolving from simple vehicle tracking to comprehensive fleet and data management solutions,” said Jan-Maarten de Vries, President of Fleet Management Solutions at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

“Today’s vehicle generates much more data, from trailers to tyres. The increasing connection of these different data sources through holistic fleet management solutions enables fleet companies to develop and optimise their operations continuously.”

Integration and data sharing are becoming essential for fleet businesses. Artificial Intelligence will raise the bar even further, creating opportunities to enhance fleet management solutions – from optimising route planning and predictive maintenance to road and driver safety.

“Telematics will continue to provide ROI as fleets address new challenges,” said De Vries. “AI-enabled solutions and electric vehicles will have a huge impact on fleet management in the future”.

  • 1999: DataFactory AG, a startup founded in Germany in 1994, launches Webfleet 1.0 – the first centralised fleet management solution and visual user interface.
  • 2001: Webfleet, Blaunpunkt and Siemens join forces to launch one of the first connected navigation systems that integrates tracking with two-way driver communication.
  • 2005: TomTom acquires DataFactory, combining the Webfleet fleet management solution with TomTom and LINK devices.
  • 2006: Webfleet grows through international expansions, acquisitions and partnerships. With the launch of TomTom WORK, Webfleet becomes Europe’s leading fleet management solution.
  • 2010: The PRO 7100 and 9100 Driver Terminals offer improved route guidance and route calculation. Vehicle data is used for fuel optimisation, eco-driving and driver coaching.
  • 2019: Webfleet becomes part of Bridgestone. Alongside Bridgestone’s tyres, advanced tyre solutions and retail network, Webfleet is now a key component of an end-to-end fleet proposition.
  • 2020: An EV fleet management solution lets users spot which vehicles could be switched to electric, monitors ICE vehicles alongside EVs, and develops an efficient charging strategy.