The digitization of a fleet often remains a complex process, especially when it comes to equipping yourself with embedded telematics. In summary, the teams are afraid of a possible “tracking” on the part of the employer.
How can we overcome this fear? How do you train your teams? Here are some tips to follow to switch your fleet to 100% digital.
It would be difficult to digitize fleets in France. While Belgian fleets are “nearly 90%”, according to Stéphane Penlae, director of the telematics company Viasat France, the providers of French telematics solutions are disappointed that a small quarter of French fleets are digitized. However, many agree that the arrival of computerized asset management would bring substantial gains. Some even boast a return on investment “very important”, for a digitization cost of the order of 120 euros per year and per car. They then highlight that, in terms of fuel alone, this computerization could generate around 20% savings.
For a person driving 20,000 km per year, this would be a discount of 4,000 km not traveled and a cost less, at 2 euros per liter of oil, of 8,000 euros.
Between return on investment and distrust
So how do you explain that for bosses, employees and sometimes fleet managers, the game does not seem worth the effort? A quick tour of the situation with these managers sheds light on the situation.
- “Digitizing is long and difficult”, comments the person in charge of a fleet of around one hundred vehicles anonymously. The digitization of our fleet has been “gradual”. At the start, in 2021, 20 to 30% of users used our software services. Now, nearly 70% have started. But some people, in the event of a major disaster, always prefer to have a “human” on the phone.”
- “Mastering a software of fleet management is complicated,” continues a second fleet manager. But the main obstacle comes from employees who confuse digitization and coping.
- “It's a question of culture,” adds a third. Drivers don't like to be “traced” by their boss. This is a widely shared feeling, especially as digitization can be equated with geolocation vehicles.
Geolocation : the rules to follow
Set up a tool for geolocation requires the following of a certain number of rules in terms of the protection of employee drivers. To do well, the most effective way is to refer to the CNIL website. The latter thus recalls that:
“The devices of geolocation can be installed in vehicles used by employees to:
- Track, justify and invoice a service of transport of persons, goods or services directly linked to the use of the vehicle.
- Ensuring the safety of the employee, the goods or the vehicles in his charge, and in particular finding the vehicle in the event of theft.
- Better allocate resources for services to be performed in dispersed locations, especially for emergency interventions.
- Incidentally, keep track of working time, when this cannot be achieved by any other means.
- Respect a legal or regulatory obligation requiring the implementation of a system of geolocation due to the type of transport or the nature of the goods transported.
- Check compliance with the rules of use of the vehicle.”
More information on the CNIL website: www.cnil.fr
Testimonies
Philippe Gorse, CEO, Novares
Specializing in IT, telephony, printing systems and cybersecurity, Novares, with sixty employees, started telematics a year ago.
“In 2021, we wanted to equip our fleet of twenty vehicles with the solution from the telematics specialist Viasat France. We computerized our fleet management for two reasons. The first: locate our employees in order to send the nearest technician as quickly as possible when our customers call on us urgently. We thus saved one hour on the average response time. The second reason for the switch to telematics was financial. We wanted to reduce our fuel consumption by streamlining tours. Gasoline costs then fell by 20% in one year. None of our employees jumped for joy when implementing this solution. They felt that they were under control. To overcome this, it was necessary to explain that this digitization of the fleet was not “repressive” in nature. That it was simply a question of optimizing costs. The fact remains that one employee preferred to leave... But today, when this process is a year old, no one complains about it anymore. So, with dialogue and time, the fear of tracking eventually fades away. But this social problem is, in my opinion, the main obstacle to the digitization of fleets.”
Recommendations for successful digitization
Explain why
According to Stéphane Penlae, for Viasat France, the fleet manager must first of all limit his project to purposes that he will explain to employees and managers.
- “This is the case of a moving customer who was looking to reduce their accidents. Another company wanted to improve its brand image when crossing cities by making its drivers aware of driving as a “good father”. I also had the case of a company that wanted to reduce its transport fuel costs by 25%.”
The first step is therefore to identify and explain your need. “You don't digitize because others have started digitizing. You have to identify your need, as well as that of controlling costs,” insists Nathalie, manager of a fleet of several thousand vehicles.
The usefulness of data for fleet management
“The advantage of digitization is that it is structurally fed with data. Data that will have to be used to set up progress indicators”, underlines Franck Guillou, technical director of RSolutions Expertises.
Setting up a business project
The fleet manager must define measures and turn them into a business project, which must be presented to management, the CSE, staff representatives, unions and employees. The objective is to associate the gains generated by the tool with the well-being of drivers, the development of employment and the sustainability of the company.
Highlight the benefits
It is essential to explain to drivers the improvements they are going to achieve, such as simplifying procedures, safety, limiting unpaid overtime, or even well-being at the wheel.
Train employees
Finally, the integration of a tool must go through a training phase. Employees need to be trained to use these tools effectively. This can also lead to eco-driving courses and the implementation of challenges to reward the best drivers.
Conclusion
The digitization of fleets, although it brings clear benefits in terms of savings, safety and management, remains a major human and organizational challenge. Dialogue, training, transparency and team involvement are the keys to a successful transformation.
Source: Car fleets, October 2023, article by Genole Guiomard
#gestion_de_flotte, #géolocalisation, #IA, #économie
