Features
18 juil 18

Managing regional fleets through telematics

There are several challenges to running a multinational vehicle fleet management program but if done correctly, regional and even global success can be achieved.

One way to help streamline and harmonize management across different countries is through the use of telematics, something that international telematics company Geotab is doing in Latin America and other parts of the world.

In terms of Latin America, we must keep in mind that no two telematics deployments in the region are identical and that there are a set of best practices for a multinational fleet management program to work appropriately, according to Geotab Latin America VP Kevin Woolley.

First of all, a regional benchmark must be set, meaning that it is imperative to balance the development of a global standard with local requirements. This standard must address company values, establish key performance indicators, codify global requirements for data storage and security, address regional fleet safety issues, among others.

Keep in mind that collaboration is key as no one can manage a global fleet on their own. Your fleet management team should work hand in hand with representatives from other departments such as purchasing, financing, safety, legal, and human resources. Combining internal expertise with international clout is key, according to Woolley.

Also remember to focus on the big picture. Although taking the piecemeal approach may seem more politically expedient, hoping that best practices across different countries will eventually merge without problems could prove to be a costly mistake, both in terms of direct costs and lost opportunities.

Once a global fleet management policy is put together, companies should first run simultaneous pilots with a small part of their fleet in the same country, says the executive.

Finally, remember to be flexible when it comes to satisfying local needs. Although staying true to corporate values is important, you must leave room for country-specific requirements. Some may include those related to vehicle and fleet composition, local languages and customs, and specific risk prevention measures.

Geotab platform and hardware (Source: Geotab)


North America vs Latin America

To give you an idea of regional differences, we can compare North America and Latin America. Although they are neighbors, there are several differences when it comes to fleet management priorities in the two regions.

While vehicle safety in the United states is very important to protecting lives, it is also a crucial component in curbing litigation risks. The latter is less of a focus in Latin America.

Moreover, companies in North America often use telematics to identify inefficiencies and exploit options to cut costs, many times by reducing fleet size or utilizing spare capacity as a tool to drive growth, says Woolley.

In Latin America, most companies take less of a macro approach and focus less on seeking potential inefficiencies. They usually focus on more tangible risks such as vehicle or asset theft.

Based in Canada, Geotab provides telematics solutions across multiple countries, collecting data about traffic congestion, CO2 emissions, and fuel usage. Its information gathering services can be used to automatically classify vehicle usage patterns, predict vehicle maintenance needs, among others.

 

Authored by: Daniel Bland