Knowledge is Power!
A Deep Dive Into Fleet + Field Integration Efforts
Anyone who has paid attention to this space over the past year (PS: thank you!) is well aware of our focus and desire to integrate Fleet + Field. The GPS Insight mission to pair fleet telematics solutions and FSM is transforming how organizations do business. As we continue this journey, our goal is to understand how they work together and use these shared tools to drive efficiency and revenue.
Fleet + Field Evangelist
When you know something works, you just have to spread the word. Our goal is to help both fleet and field service companies seamlessly manage their mobile assets and mobile workforces together.
In December 2021, we announced the addition of FieldAware, creating the leading combined fleet management, field services, and telematics software platform in the business. Adding Smart Scheduler, an innovative dispatch software that helps service managers significantly increase efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction, has been a game-changer.
We also launched Fleet + Field, a monthly newsletter designed to educate, inform, and inspire fleet management and field service professionals. Subscribers receive a recap of our latest blog articles, the lineup of in-person events GPS Insight will attend, invites to virtual events and webinars, helpful articles and the most important updates on technology and business solutions.
Our latest Fleet + Field leadership initiative is a comprehensive study (GPS Insight Fleet + Field Research Report), to get deeper insights into the technology these organizations have implemented and the solutions that they will need to implement to keep ahead of the curve.
A Deep Dive into Effective Tech
We specialize in combining all aspects of fleet and field. And we love data. What could be better than a deep dive into the data about the technology fleet and field organizations are using and others they still need to adopt?
For this report, we partnered with a third-party research firm to explore the relationship between fleet management and field service operations. Nearly 200 senior field service leaders from the telecommunications, manufacturing, utilities, security, 3rd-party service providers and other industries across the globe participated in this extensive look into Fleet + Field.
Technological Maturity: Field Service
To kick off the study, we needed to know what technology field service management systems organizations have in place. Technological maturity can help determine how data can move between these fleet and field solutions.
FSM systems and mobile applications remain the backbone of modern field service operations for many organizations. In fact, 78% of respondents have an FSM solution in place, and 76% have dedicated mobile applications for their field service engineers and technicians.
One layer of technology that is viewed as a clear indicator of technological maturity is IoT tools, as they are at the forefront of modern field service. In this area, 37% of respondents are utilizing IoT connectivity.
The importance and prevalence of IoT technology will continue to grow. According to McKinsey, the worldwide number of IoT-connected devices is projected to increase to 43 billion by 2023, and 75 billion connected devices by 2025, with the field service management market size expected to grow to $5.7 billion by 2026.
Field service companies need to implement this key ingredient immediately to ensure success.
Technological Maturity: Fleet Management
The #1 fleet management tool remains GPS tracking. The industry is at nearly universal adoption, with 91% of organizations reporting they utilize GPS technology within their fleet.
Unfortunately, there are several crucial technological solutions too few fleet organizations have made a part of their day-to-day operations: According to our study:
Only 43% of fleet companies have implemented telematics
Only 36% are utilizing fleet maintenance software
Only 34% have adopted dash cams; of these, only 13% utilized a dash cam that provided an internal view
A miniscule 12% are using a dedicated vehicle maintenance app
Does data flow between field service and fleet?
If systems used for field service management and fleet management are siloed in their respective business units, does this mean the data from each is also siloed?
Unfortunately, yes. And that needs to change.
The study revealed that:
48% of companies have completely separate fleet and field business units
36% of respondents said there is no data sharing between fleet management and the field service
Only 34% said their fleet and field operations share data
30% indicated that they have a central IT team that shares data between the relevant operational business units
Sharing is caring and, in this case, that means caring about the bottom line. Lack of communication means decision-makers lack the information they need to make critical decisions. Ensuring fleet and field have the information they need to make correct decisions is critical to improving operations, increasing efficiency and driving more revenue.
The benefits of having access to fleet management data can undoubtedly play a role in helping field service management avoid unnecessary disruption to day-to-day operations. Additionally, data from field service work schedules could be beneficial for fleet managers to understand when they should be scheduling necessary maintenance.
The Takeaways
Organizations that can effectively use fleet management data within their field service operations are more technologically mature.
Organizations that see fleet management as part of the field service business unit are further along this path than the industry.
When the barriers of information flow are removed, the efficiency of the fleet management organization will have a direct impact on the performance.
From a service profit and loss perspective, fleet management tools such as driver behavior coaching apps can reduce fuel costs, and dash cams that can reduce insurance costs will impact the bottom line.
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