4 Ways to Choose the Right Fleet Maintenance Solution for Your Startup

Are you a startup founder whose business relies at least to some degree on fleets of vehicles? If so, you need to maintain your fleet to ensure your business’ operations aren’t disrupted.

Proper fleet maintenance is also a safety issue. Your drivers (and those with whom they share the road) will naturally be less likely to be involved in accidents if the vehicles they operate have been maintained properly.

That’s why you need to prioritize finding an ideal fleet maintenance solution. This can seem overwhelming when you first begin to consider your options.

It doesn’t have to be! To find the right fleet maintenance solution for your business, keep the following tips in mind:

Look for a Solution That Offers Third-Party Integration

Odds are good your business relies on a wide range of enterprise apps for various purposes. Fleet maintenance software is just one of many solutions you may need.

Thus, it’s wise to use fleet maintenance software that can integrate with as many of your other apps as possible. This is key to avoiding information silos, which can otherwise severely impact productivity.

For example, perhaps you already use certain apps to receive and send supplier data regarding maintenance and parts purchase. Your fleet management solution should integrate with those apps to ensure a seamless transfer of information.

Prioritize Analytics

Fleet maintenance software doesn’t merely need to help you stay on top of fleet upkeep. It should also collect data and generate reports you can analyze to make more informed business decisions.

This can also help from a compliance perspective. For instance, you may need to ensure that your fleet complies with the EPA’s National Air Quality Standards. A strong fleet management solution can generate data, helping you better understand whether you’re in full compliance, as well as what you can do to address the issue if not.

Check Industries

Not all fleet management solutions are ideal for all industries. Even an otherwise effective software in one industry simply might not be suited for another.

Keep this in mind when evaluating your options. Check which industries a particular solution was designed for or has been used in, looking to see if it’s tailored to suit your business’ specific needs.

Look for Messaging Features

This may seem like a minor feature in a fleet management software, but it’s actually quite valuable in many instances.

Some fleet management solutions give users the option to include messages pinned to work orders and similar documents. These messages can allow a user to add specific instructions to a work order, as well as set follow-up dates. Some fleet management softwares even offer the option of pinning multimedia elements to work orders and documents as well. Choose one with such features for maximum flexibility and work order transparency.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate the importance of choosing a truly effective solution. Proper fleet management can play a critical role in your startup’s financial health. You need a solution you can rely on.