Software as a Service in Fleet management: Easy as pie

What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Software as a Service in Fleet management — also, in general — is a model for software licensing and delivery. One based on subscription. This on-demand software distribution brings a core benefit; it’s centrally hosted. This translates into a host of benefits for any business that needs a solution fast. And, without any considerable additional costs incurred.

Software as a Service — also known as subscribeware or rentware — is delivered on any device that comes with an internet browser and can connect to the internet. The vast majority of businesses will be able to get right to work with a mere laptop and their broadband connection.

In terms of subscription pricing, Software as a Service can be provided using different pricing models; such as on a pay-as-you-go basis, or by the number of concurrent users, or the features used. And, it can be used — and paid for — per month, per year, or even occasionally, as needed. This is a kind of flexibility most businesses have the need for. Especially when it comes to small-to-medium sized businesses that need to optimize their budget spend.

All in all, Software as a Service seems to be the best option; at least, compared to any of the traditional licensing and distribution methods.

How is Software as a Service better?

Compared to our current reality, especially with regard to more established businesses that completed their infrastructure a few years ago, even a 10-20% reduction in costs would constitute considerable improvement. That said, there are quite a few improvements that come with using Software as a Service in Fleet management; in any business, really.

No infrastructure required

Being centrally hosted and subscription based, Software as a Service requires no infrastructure on the client’s side. The software provider develops and maintains the entire infrastructure, on behalf of all users. To keep it simple, maintainable, robust and reliable, everything is done on the Cloud. This also ensures that all users can enjoy exactly the same — always updated — featureset.

Businesses are no longer required to deploy their own hardware and software infrastructure, or modify their spaces to support it. Everything is simply available on a computer screen, safely deployed on the Cloud.

Much lower costs

The cloud-based nature of SaaS brings a set of happy side-effects. There is no need to staff an IT department; nor is there the need to educate and train one. The provider handles customer support and upgrades, without the need to bother the users. That goes to say, the costs incurred by hiring IT specialists, bringing them up to specs and constantly having to motivate them, maximizing retention, are all rendered unnecessary.

Software as a Service makes for simplicity. By not being tailor made — or extensively customizable, for that matter — and by being designed for all sorts of businesses in the industry it serves, it leverages best practices in usability standards. Thus, allowing all users to enjoy a much simpler experience with easy to use features; solving daily problems at a fraction of the time.

Using Software as a Service in Fleet management — or any other type of business — will reduce operational costs down to the absolute minimum. All a business needs is a mere subscription to obtain the service; and minimal training time for the existing staff to learn how to use it. The learning curve is considerably shallower than any complex, tailor-made system.

Scalability and integration

Doubling new business is always a good thing. But, doubling the infrastructure available to serve our increased clientele can become a headache, really quick. Using Software as a Service in Fleet management allows for a much more scalable infrastructure; one that can double and quadruple in minutes. One only needs to upgrade to the next tier of their subscription plan, instantly increasing the available resources.

Additionally, the model used in developing Software as a Service, typically includes listening to customer feedback. Once the market signals the need of a specific solution to a specific problem, its realization may only be one software release away. As such, the level of standardization in Software as a Service tends to provide vendors with the ability to work on integrations to other — also standardized — systems; allowing for interoperability and compliance.

Evergreen: Always up to date

Using software that needs to be installed on a server or personal computer needs to be updated manually; and, sometimes, it can only be done by expert technicians. That is another aspect of software management that Software as a Service demonstrates superior performance. Any updates, fixes or new features are automatically available to all users of the software once it’s released, at no additional cost. That way, every user enjoys robust software that is always up to date, more reliable; and in compliance with the most recent practices. 

More secure

These days, business is becoming more and more about information; or the lack of it. Software vendors are aware that businesses don’t really feel comfortable taking their data from the safety of their own server and placing them on the Cloud. Very important questions come to mind. Is it reliable? Is it secure? Will my data be lost or stolen?

Cloud platforms are managed by cloud experts with the latest practices. And they do it using top notch security technologies and constantly monitoring entire infrastructures for issues of any kind. Compared to locally bred — or provided — solutions that might lack the collective knowledge of highly specialized cloud management experts, Software as a Service solutions are bound to be considerably more secure than local installations. And that’s one more reason for using Software as a Service in Fleet management.

Shallow learning curve

Built with the latest usability practices and all possible user profiles in mind, a generalized Software as a Service solution tends to take simplicity and ease of use to a whole other level. A fleet manager or fleet operator — even the fleet owner or the receptionist — will be able to find their way around a Software as a Service Fleet management system; all in a fraction of the time they would need with a conventional, tailormade, customizable solution. While Software as a Service solutions will accept customization to a certain extent, it does so based on established use cases. That alone allows for a well designed, guided experience that will help any and all users pick up the pace in no time. The learning curve can’t really get much more shallow than that.

Business continuity

Some companies employ a contingency plan, in case of a natural disaster or an accident, such as a fire; some don’t. In all practicality, most companies won’t do it, unless there is a foreseeable danger; a high likelihood that such a scenario may happen. A contingency plan like this may include evacuation plans, data backups, a secondary base of operations and all sorts of similar considerations. But, all these things cost money; and no one will shell out this kind of money for something they’ve yet to see the value of.

Software as a Service bypasses nearly all considerations that would be overlooked on a daily basis. Since a laptop and a broadband connection are all that is needed, business continuity is easier than ever before. In case of an emergency or natural disaster, everyone can temporarily work from home, allowing for seamless business operation. No data is lost and everything remains well organized and in perfect order. Apart from any potential material damages to be amended, the business in question will remain viable and in operation.

The 6 benefits of Software as a Service in Fleet Management

Using Software as a Service in Fleet Management can prove extremely beneficial. Not only because all competitors are using one such solution; but, also, because it’s much easier to use and manage than an older — potentially obsolete — conventional solution. Not to mention, it’s cost-effective; only at a small fraction of the cost to deploy a customized solution. There are practical benefits, too. Let’s go through 6 of them:

1. No tech-savvy required

Virtually no technical knowledge is required in using Software as a Service in Fleet Management. The software lives in the Cloud; no installation or configuration is required. The fleet manager will only need a laptop, a browser and a broadband connection.

Maintenance and updates are performed automatically with each new software release. All users enjoy the latest and most robust functionality as soon as it’s published by the vendor. Most of the time, users will be able to work seamlessly through the update process, without even noticing it.

2. A lot more convenient than traditional solutions

SaaS solutions tend to simplify the entire process for the user. The software is ready to use, off the shelf. That’s, by just getting a subscription plan and logging into the app from a laptop or mobile device. Then again, many vendors have begun working with vehicle manufacturers to come up with OEM solutions; which will, eventually, make things all that much easier.

3. Pro safety and compliance

Collecting, and analyzing information about the state of each vehicle and the driving behaviors of the crew is extremely helpful in identifying safety issues; and resolving them before they increase in severity. And that’s why using Software as a Service in Fleet Management is important for the safety of fleet employees; at least in making sure that they employ safe driving practices. And, of course, that all vehicles are maintained in good working order, promoting road safety. Not to mention, with the difficulty in driver retention in these last few years, it’s also a way to work towards keeping the best ones on board and motivated.

Keeping tabs on all aspects of fleet status helps maintain compliance without having to worry about safe driving; or roadside safety inspections. Compliance with state law and regulations is easy to achieve and maintain; especially when an alert or notification will help identify a problem or a sub-par situation anywhere in the fleet. It’s also a great way to optimize for safety inasmuch as preventing the majority of road accidents.

4. Time-saver

Understanding how well a fleet of vehicles performs and which aspects need improvement or even re-factoring is an extremely important business advantage; one that will tremendously help a fleet manager or fleet operator to resolve performance or efficiency problems at a fraction of the time they would need otherwise.

Automatic reports are also a great productivity tool. Identifying problems and resolving them becomes as easy as it can get. Not to mention, a trip log report that is formatted up to the standards set by the IRS makes bookkeeping for deductible expenses look like a walk in the park.

Alerts and notifications about anything ranging from warnings to malfunctions will help in proactive management; such as emergency repairs when a problem emerges — or in case of a road accident — towing a vehicle with exact location sharing. Thus, identifying low performing vehicles or drivers and optimizing for performance.

5. Integrated customer service

An SLA typically comes with terms and conditions and legal clauses that are designed to smooth out the partnership between a vendor and a customer. Oftentimes, quite the opposite may happen. A vendor may charge a different price for support services, usually outside of the initial contract. This is, of course, a recurring payment charged per month or per year.

In comparison, the vast majority of SaaS products offer customer support services on a tiered basis, according to the subscription plan and feature-set each customer needs. Customer support is provided via a chat-box, email, an automated knowledge-base system or over the phone. Often, we use a combination of these methods, for convenience. This way, the monthly or annual subscription includes everything the user needs to keep working on their business.

6. Better performance, better ROI, more growth

A vehicle fleet that is optimized for performance will bring a better Return on Investment (ROI). This benefit functions as an enabler towards growth. Growing a fleet business beyond mere viability is probably the dream of every fleet manager, fleet owner or fleet operator.

Efficient and timely maintenance, safe driving behavior, optimal fuel consumption and reduced wear and tear, prolonging the lifespan of each vehicle are all practical benefits that come from using Software as a Service in Fleet Management. An initial investment in a good Fleet management system and a basic process in maintaining fleet vehicles and training drivers on safe driving practices may seem like a lot. But these are the three pillars a healthy business can be built upon. And it is how better fleet performance, better ROI and more growth will happen.