Fleet decision-makers on the frontline of managing vehicles are increasingly demanding that their software has the ability to fully integrate with other business systems and has the capacity to successfully import real-time data electronically from external suppliers and other organisations. Jason Francis, managing director of Jaama, says: 'Fleet bosses in charge of cars and light commercial vehicles want a fleet management software hub that interfaces directly with software operated by other company departments, such as HR and payroll to avoid duplication of processes and data entry.
‘Meanwhile, they also want the ability to link directly with external fleet suppliers and other information providers. Then, with vast amounts of information easily accessible, comprehensive management reporting by exception can be set-up that will flag-up abnormalities in the fleet operation against predetermined parameters.’He says Jaama’s online Key2 Vehicle Management system can be set up to highlight both ‘rogue’ vehicles and drivers that do not conform to expected levels of performance and behaviour respectively.
‘Fleet operators now want to know instantly when a vehicle or driver is not meeting accepted criteria. They want to know, for example, the one vehicle in the 300-strong fleet that has not been serviced for more than 12 months; the car that is returning only 20mpg when it should be averaging 35mpg; or the driver who has just chalked up a third speeding conviction. Fleet managers do not want to trawl through lengthy reports to find ‘rogue’ vehicles or drivers. They want this information immediately so they can take action to rectify the problems that the data has highlighted.’
Key2 Vehicle Management also provides fleet chiefs with direct links to CAP Motor Research, the Drive Vehicle and Licensing Agency, EurotaxGlass’s, HM Revenue and Customs, the Motor Insurance Database, Transport for London and the Vehicle and
Operator Services Agency. ‘From providing an online driver licence checking service to filing PUD returns and from paying the London congestion charge to checking vehicle repair codes, fleet operators can work in real-time and obtain up-to-the-minute information.’