Tag Archive for: fleet management

Logistics resolutions for 2022

A new year begins with new promises and newer visions. Like it or not, it is time to reassess your previous 365 days and try to figure out what worked and what didn’t.

As we flip the calendar over to 2022 and wave goodbye to 2021, truck driver shortages, supply chain interruptions, and port congestion will likely continue. Fuel prices, in all likelihood, will continue to trend upward and maintenance costs will ratchet higher due to more companies adopting extended replacement schedules. Fleet costs will not only continue to increase but, in all probability, they will accelerate.

The reality is that most expenses impacting the fleet are beyond the control of fleet managers. Fuel is the highest operating expense facing commercial fleet managers, with price volatility creating tremendous challenges to planning and budgeting for this variable expense. 

 

Tracking

Tracking has become the calling card for all major companies in the previous year. Some companies managed to get ahead of the curve, others barely managed to catch up. Whichever category you fall in, this is the time to boost the tracking potential of your company to the next level. Here are some major pointers that top entrepreneurs incorporated in their new year plans.

 

Integrate all you can 

Integration is something you hear a lot as a transportation business owner. The more complex your delivery operation, the greater a job it is to integrate all the systems you’re using. And yet it is precisely integration that will save you time and money from day one.

Link2Pump offers an open API for seamless and free integration with 3rd party software. Your fuel transactions and tank inventory data in the L2P system can interface via web service with basically any software platform, such as fleet fuel cards, billing programs, fleet maintenance, telematics, and much more. You can also export to text and spreadsheet files.

 

Budget Constraints

Fleet managers are facing tightening budgets, pressures to right-size their fleets and implement never-ending cost reduction initiatives in the pursuit of an overall reduction in total fleet costs. This is being complicated by increased acquisition costs from fleet service providers, upward pressures from unscheduled maintenance costs, higher fuel prices, and the lack of spare parts or delays in receiving shipments of components.

Link2Pump services account all across the US, helping businesses to save human and financial resources in the fuel tracking and reporting process. By automating and managing fuel dispensing from bulk storage tanks, we turn a complex process into a simple experience.

The Link2Pump Pedestal unit connects to your fuel dispenser, protecting your fuel from unauthorized use. The operator will be prompted for key information, like driver, vehicle number, and mileage. Only then the L2P unit activates the pump. While the operator fills up the tank, L2P records the gallons being pumped and uploads all fueling data to your online account once the transaction is over fueling data is available in real-time and you can see and manage it from any device. Cloud backup guarantees zero chance of data loss.

 

If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve the bottom line and productivity, please, get in touch.

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Benefits of IoT in Fleet Management Industry

Vehicle fleet management in IoT is a natural environment for the application of advantages, utilities, and benefits. The IoT is the precise tool to help you efficiently manage your vehicle fleet, minimizing costs and increasing productivity, asset life, and service quality. Research predicts the revenue of the global IoT fleet management market will reach an estimated US$15,500 million by 2024.

 

Regionally, North America has been leading the worldwide IoT fleet management market and is anticipated to continue in the dominant position in the years to come, states the IoT fleet management market study. Robust network infrastructure, implementation of strict legislations, and rapid acceptance of technologically advanced products is the main factor behind the dominance of the North America IoT fleet management market. The number of players being headquartered in North America is another significant factor that is supporting this regional IoT market.

 

IoT allows us to establish an effective interconnection between physical assets and managers, through the network. So when we install sensors in our fleet vehicles, we implement the first link in a sequence of processes that will let you know minute by minute, what happens with each unit.

 

Once connected, the sensors perform a wide range of readings, generating alerts about routes, location, incidents, or out-of-range measurements. This triggers a succession of actions ranging from the transmission of data via the Internet, through its collection and organization in a database, to the crossing and analysis of data, to transform them into useful information for decision-making as well. As for planning routes, tasks, and plans for preventive and/or predictive maintenance.

 

Key benefits of IoT in fleet management

  • Real-time vehicle monitoring
  • Risk mitigation
  • Remote data management
  • Impeccable customer service
  • Cost optimization
  • Smart reporting
  • Environment-friendly operations
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Engine performance
  • Improved fuel efficiency

 

IoT is making the adoption of these changes much easier than ever for companies. They are equipped to strategize better and increase productivity by automating routine tasks.

Therefore, integrating information technology improves the performance of your fleet business manifolds. It assures improvement in efficiency and compliance with road security standards.

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Fuel Management Systems Market to Reach $654.6 Million by 2024

Fuel management systems are used for the maintenance, monitoring, and control of fuel consumption in industries that use various modes of transport, such as road, rail, air, and water, for commercial purposes.

The fuel management system’s purpose is to reduce the consumption of fuel and to improve the efficiency of operations. It uses a variety of technologies and methods for keeping track of fuel inventories, purchases made, and fuel dispensed. 

Computerized systems are used for storing data, which can be used for generating reports and for further analysis. The systems also help in controlling errors in fluid dispensing from fuel tanks into vehicles which provides important information about any leaks.

The numerous benefits offered by fuel management systems, including monitoring fuel usage and dispensing to reduce loss and theft, improved efficiency of operations, increase in overall productivity, and reduced risk of errors due to automation of tasks, continue to fuel adoption of the systems in various end-use industries.

The global market for fuel management systems is projected to reach US$654.6 Million by 2024, registering a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% over the analysis period. The United States represents the largest regional market for fuel management systems, accounting for an estimated 40.3% share of the global total. The market is projected to reach US$273.9 Million by 2025. 

The significant developments in transportation infrastructure space and the escalating demand from logistics, mining, and construction sectors are fueling growth in the fuel management systems market. The market is also expected to benefit from the growth of the automobile industry worldwide and the continuous increase in the number of fuel stations in operation. 

Since fuel represents a significant proportion of operating costs in the transportation sector the need to prevent fuel pilferage is extremely important, thus driving the adoption of fuel management systems. With fuel accounting for around 40% of the overall operating costs of fleets, fuel losses can cause significant financial losses. Fuel management systems also play a role in reducing errors that are possible during manual fueling. 

The fuel management systems market is also benefiting from the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions. With cloud computing becoming an increasingly viable option for data management and data storage, its role in fuel management is also growing.

As you can see, technology plays a crucial role in almost every money-saving tactic and strategy discussed above. If you’re looking for a fuel management partner that can help you reduce your fleet’s expenses, contact us.

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3 ways fleet managers can reduce operational costs

Try different ways of cost-cutting and still keeping safety/operational efficiency is a regular job of every fleet manager. In the last months, with the pandemic, reducing operational costs has assumed critical significance. 

There are several expenses in this line of work. The biggest, of course, is fuel fees and asset maintenance costs. The good news is that there are different ways to optimize and reduce operating expenses.

Here are three steps for fleet managers looking to reduce operating costs: 

 

Exercise control over the distance covered

In the past, fleet managers did not have direct visibility over daily fleet operations data. You could not keep track of every mile covered by all the vehicles in your fleet. This often encouraged a tendency to use company vehicles for non-essential or personal purposes.

With increased connectivity and GPS tracking, this is no longer an issue. Using technology, businesses can now optimize routes like never before, cutting down on mileage and fuel costs. Telemetry data also allows fleet managers to effectively discourage frivolous usage of vehicles.

 

Improve fuel consumption

With fuel costs accounting for the lion’s share of operating costs for many fleets, this step may seem like a no-brainer. But many fleet managers end up not worrying about this all-important detail. 

Link2Pump offers a simple solution that automates the entire fueling and tracking process. This way, you will always know where every drop of fuel is going, keep your inventory under control and do much more to drive fuel efficiency and performance to your fleet.

 

Use technology for efficient maintenance

Maintenance is a vital function that has a value multiplier effect on your fleet – it improves productivity, reduces accident risk, and increases the longevity/resale value of vehicles. It is also an incredibly complex task, with huge potential for waste and inefficiency.

 

You can use maintenance software to boost savings without compromising on safety. These kinds of solutions give you full visibility on your fleet’s maintenance status, with automated scheduling, real-time data alerts, and other optimization options.

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How does a fuel management system work?

How does a fuel management system work?

Fuel is one of the top 3 expenses in any fleet’s cost structure. Tracking and reporting where it is being spent can be challenging and time-consuming. So how do you stay on top of it? 

Link2Pump offers a simple solution that automates the entire fueling and tracking process. This way, you will always know where every drop of fuel is going, keep your inventory under control and do much more to drive fuel efficiency and performance to your fleet. 

 

But how it works? 

The Link2Pump Pedestal unit connects to your fuel dispenser, protecting your fuel from unauthorized use. The operator will be prompted for key information, like a driver, vehicle number, and mileage. Only then the L2P unit activates the pump. While the operator fills up the tank, L2P records the gallons being pumped and uploads all fueling data to your online account once the transaction is over fueling data is available in real-time and you can see and manage it from any device. Cloud backup guarantees zero chance of data loss.

Link2Pump also offers an open API for seamless and free integration with 3rd party software. Your fuel transactions and tank inventory data in the L2P system can interface via web service with basically any software platform, such as fleet fuel cards, billing programs, fleet maintenance, telematics, and much more. You can also export to text and spreadsheet files.

Our unique lifetime warranty protects your investment and eliminates unexpected expenses. We offer a hassle-free parts replacement policy, where servicing is simple and easy and can be done quickly by the customer, reducing down-time to a minimum.

Take your data off the paper and into the cloud and drive your business forward with Link2Pump. If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve bottom line and productivity, please get in touch.

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How Often Should You Conduct Safety Training?

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Companies that value well-trained employees often have ongoing training programs in place. Ongoing does not mean continuous, so how often should you provide ongoing training to employees?

Certain safety training topics have to be refreshed or retrained on a set schedule. In most cases, safety or other training courses that result in or require certification will only be valid for a certain length of time before retraining is required. It is always a good idea to take note of what safety training expires and when so that you can ensure that all employees are properly trained and certified.

When you first train a new employee, they will take security messages seriously, but without any follow-up training, they will probably incorporate some unsafe habits. That puts you, them, and everyone on the road with them at risk. You need to make safety training a regular part of driving for your company.

If you want to protect your people and reduce accidents, safety training must be a continuous process. It’s not just an onboarding event.

An effective safety training program:

  • Uses monthly safety meetings to reduce your biggest loss-leaders
  • Delivers important safety messages daily
  • Features larger training events throughout the year

Organize monthly safety meetings to reduce your biggest loss leaders. Make safety training a part of everyday work life with daily safety tips and briefings to start the day. Host larger training events a few times a year to dig into complex safety issues.

Preventive training aims precisely at correcting bad behaviors, conscious or not, that lead to risk. And it is not just the company that has had a serious or fatal accident that should seek training – ideally, the risk is identified to avoid the accident.

This is where the safety culture comes in: a set of good practices that are shared with employees. Uniform training and guidance among those responsible for work safety and drivers help foster this type of culture.

More than that, training manages to put the risky habits into context, making the act of driving more conscious than unconscious – that is, avoiding recklessness and distraction.

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What are the advantages for cloud computing

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How cloud computing can help your business be more efficient and keep your data safe

Cloud computing benefits for your business

The last decade was an incredible one for the data industry. We have advanced a lot in processing and storage capacity and today we can use that in our business.

The concept of cloud computing is wide, but, to put it simply, it means accessing files, programs, or computing resources (such as memory or processing) that are not on your computer over a network. It means that having an internet connection at your disposal, you can access data from any computer, tablet, or cell phone, anywhere in the world.

But how can it help manage the whole fleet company?

  1. You’ll be ok in case of an IT emergency

If you have a problem with your hardware and don’t have a cloud fleet management solution, you will surely lose important data. But, if you have a cloud solution, you’ll have access to your data from any device, no matter where. These solutions reduce downtime and improve data security. If your data is stored on a cloud service, everything remains up and running in any case.

  1. You’ll need less physical space

With cloud computing, you can get rid of the physical infrastructure to manage your fleet. These can benefit fleet owners in terms of reduction in cost, time, and space required. Your management team can work from home, being happier and more efficient. And you can also check how the company numbers go whenever you want, using your phone. 

  1. Real-time reports

With all your data in the cloud, it is much easier to have insight and reports in real-time. Link2Pump portal is very friendly and you can easily navigate through menus and clean dashboards. And with inventory management, you have real-time visibility into tank levels, fuel deliveries, and transfers.

With the ability to manage big data, cyber-security, and quality control, managing a large fleet has never been easier. Cloud computing is a transformational technology that will continue to help organizations and businesses deliver their services in a better way than before.

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5 qualities that make a good leader

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“A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” This is how John C. Maxwell defines leadership. Having the right people in leadership positions is essential to success and employee retention. Surveys have shown that one of the top reasons employees leave their job is because of a bad boss.

To have a successful business, you want to have the best team at your side. But when you invest in the training and development of your employees, the goal is that you can keep the level of turnover low.

That’s why we are sharing some qualities that make a good leader so that you can evaluate your leadership and improve. 

01 – Aspiration and enthusiasm

It doesn’t matter if the desire is to increase the company’s online presence or conquer international markets, what separates good leaders from the best leaders is aspiration and enthusiasm. The big winners in the business world share the ability to develop bold strategies and the ethics to put them into practice. Successful leaders also inspire their teams to go beyond the day-to-day reality and work to achieve their best. Their sense of ambition is stronger than the fear of failure and it helps them to turn things around.

02 – Resilience

Sometimes, just striving for business goals can lead to failure. Self-confidence and ambition are not enough to withstand market challenges or to eliminate mistakes made in the past. Great leaders are incredibly resilient – they can turn a disaster into a victory in the last hour. This talent to recover when everything seems lost is a powerful quality in the long run.

3 – Empathy

The best bosses know that relationships are vital to their business trajectory and always exercise their emotional intelligence. They know how to empathize with their customers and teams and are always prepared to help or even to back off. In the view of a great leader, empathy does not diminish the value of the business – it adds value and helps it to grow. This attribute strengthens ties of loyalty and can stimulate partnerships.

04 – Creativity

To achieve goals, it is often necessary to set aside the rules and redefine established practices. The most powerful leaders innovate tirelessly and foster a culture of creativity, empowering their teams to follow suit.

05 – Feedbacks

For the “gear” of the system to function correctly and always keep moving, periodic meetings with the team must be held. In this way, the leader can offer feedback on the activities performed and the development of each of the professionals within the company. This is one of the best strategies to ensure that work remains aligned with the pace of production.

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A lifetime warranty is included in our management system

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Normally, if a manufacturer or company is offering a lifetime warranty on their product this means they have confidence in the quality of their work, and they want their customers to have that same confidence when they purchase as well. And that’s how we work. 

Link2Pump Pedestal automates the fueling process on-site, capturing data points you need and sending them to your online account in real-time. We also offer mobile applications that pack the same technological power from L2P Pedestal into a compact enclosure to fit fuel trucks, tanker trucks, or any kind of mobile tanks.

And when you choose to use Link2Pump fuel management solution, you also have included a lifetime warranty. Our unique lifetime warranty protects your investment and eliminates unexpected expenses. We offer a hassle-free parts replacement policy, where servicing is simple and easy and can be done quickly by the customer, reducing downtime to a minimum. And you don’t need to overpay for it. 

Why Warranties Are Important

A warranty provides peace of mind and protection. Your fleet can accept all possible demands, with the certainty that the supplier will ensure that the supplied equipment is always in perfect condition.

If you are a fleet manager, you know that having confidence in your team and your equipment is essential to keep the business always running. So, don’t be afraid to ask us questions about our warranty. 

Our company has solutions for several industries, such as agriculture, aviation, construction, government, marinas, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and utilities. If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve your bottom line and productivity, please get in touch.

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Everything you need to know about fuel tax refunds

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In 1933, the federal gasoline excise tax was implemented and taxed each gallon of gas at one cent. Current federal gasoline rates in May 2019 have escalated to 24.4 cents for each gallon of diesel and 18.4 cents per gallon of gas.

These tax refunds can reduce fuel costs, but still a lot of companies lose a lot of money each year by not accurately filing for fuel tax refunds.

When you purchase gasoline or diesel fuel, the federal government isn’t the only one taking a cut. You’ll also be taxed on gasoline by your state. Each state has its discretion as to the gallon rate of fuel you buy. States such as Pennsylvania, California, and Washington are at the highest level. Their tax rates range from 49.5 cents per gallon to 58.7 cents per gallon. States like Alaska, Virginia, and Missouri are at the low level with a range of 8.9 cents per gallon to 17.3 cents per gallon.

It would be impractical to set up separate gas stations and fuel depots all over the country to sell different taxed and untaxed fuels, so the government essentially taxes all fuels with a few exceptions, then allows credits for nontaxable uses. 

In most states and for the federal government, motor fuel excise taxes are collected and designated for highway and road construction and maintenance. Fleets using fuel for powering vehicles and equipment at off-road applications may qualify for federal and state-level refunds. 

Link2Pump can easily track and reconcile all information needed for filing fuel tax refund claims with a one-click report. It is really easy to save money with our service. 

The best part is that facilitating the tax refunds process is part of our service and you don’t pay anything extra for it. 

So with Link2Pump you automate your managing process, you have up to 25% fuel saving, plus 10 hours in time savings and also fuel tax refunds made easy.

If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve bottom line and productivity, please, get in touch.

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