For the foreseeable future, fuel price hikes are almost as certain as death and taxes – making a fleet management solution all the more important. The fact that as much as 50% of a commercial road fleet’s operating expenses are fuel purchases makes it imperative for fleet owners to manage fuel consumption across all their vehicles, down to the litre. Focus asks Orchid Telematics how its Fleet Management System (FMS) enables this.
According to Orchid Telematics’ CEO, Paul Roberts, “fuel consumption figures are probably the most accurate gauge of driver competency and vehicle fitness, and how effectively the ‘man and machine’ are working together. An unskilled driver in a poorly-serviced vehicle will consume more fuel than a skilled driver in a properly maintained vehicle. The trick is to have the right systems in place to constantly and accurately monitor fuel use so that corrective action can be taken if consumption figures exceed the operation’s benchmarks.”
A subsidiary of Thales Group (a world leader in developing and installing mission critical information systems for the aerospace, defence and security markets), Orchid Telematics has an extensive Southern African footprint, servicing leading private and corporate road fleets via its proprietary fleet management system, Orchid FMS 5.
“At Orchid Telematics, the highest focus is placed on continuous research and development, which enables us to provide our clients with the most effective and up-to-date technological solutions. In doing so, we remain market leaders in the vehicle tracking and fleet management sector,” says Roberts. “In some of our larger fleet clients, Orchid FMS 5 has cut fuel costs by several million Rand per annum.”
By monitoring various critical areas concerning driver behaviour and vehicle status, Orchid FMS 5 is able to deliver accurate real-time reports (via SMS and email) to fleet managers, alerting them to any untoward driver/vehicle activity that could negatively affect fuel consumption. Using data gathered from various engine components and sensors in the vehicle via the TCU (Telematics Control Unit), Orchid FMS 5 is able to pinpoint ‘gas-guzzling’ driver habits such as harsh braking, harsh acceleration, speeding, over-revving, excessive idling, incorrect route selection and excessive starting and stopping.
Colour-coded fuel usage reports are delivered to clients clearly showing consumption figures for each vehicle/driver on a trip-by-trip basis. Orchid FMS 5 also generates a CO2 Emissions Report for each vehicle, a feature that will become a ‘must have’ in the near future when legislation is passed governing the environmental impact of road fleets in South Africa.
“Orchid FMS’s real-time reporting functionality makes it possible for fuel-use transgressions to be investigated as quickly as possible. Using Orchid FMS’s Driver Behaviour scoring functionality, supported by driver training and linked to performance rewards, are powerful tools to not only reduce fuel consumption, but drive down other fleet operating expenses like tyre and brake replacement costs, as well as curtail general vehicle abuse,” adds Roberts.
Driven by its company mission to supply customised fleet management solutions to fleet operators, Orchid FMS 5 is a modular and scalable system that can be tailored to suit specific individual fleet requirements, delivering only mission-critical intelligence that is relevant to that fleet.
“In a world plagued by information overload, effective ‘exception reporting’ is crucial if enterprise time and cost efficiencies are to be realised,” says Roberts. “The Orchid FMS Fuel Management module reports on an individual driver and vehicle level, allowing fleet managers to identify where drivers need coaching, and/or where vehicles need to be serviced. Vital information is transmitted from the TCU installed in the fleet to a secure Orchid Telematics communications Hub and is then interpreted by our software.”
To facilitate a 360-degree view of mobile assets, Orchid FMS 5 comprises five core modules. These include Fleet Base (a secure information database), Fleet Mapper (state-of-the-art maps and visuals), Fleet Reporter (generates standard and customised reports giving snapshots of critical information on an immediate, daily, weekly or monthly basis), Fleet Editor (allows users to edit and customise the information they wish to see) and Fleet Interface (enables users to integrate data into their own back-office software system).
“This software can be installed quickly and easily, and can be interfaced with existing ERP and accounting systems through the Orchid FMS Fleet Interface Module, eliminating the need for additional expensive software development. Our technical and software team will then train the designated users chosen by the client. By the end of the training session, users will be proficient in the use of the fleet management software and have a clear understanding of how the system not only manages fuel use, but enhances overall fleet efficiency,” states Roberts.
With on-road challenges getting tougher by the day, fleet managers need all the help they can get to ensure fuel use remains in-check and that critical risk areas are properly addressed. A state-of-the-art fleet management system such as Orchid can achieve these imperatives, bringing enhanced efficiencies and profitability to the operation.
“When it comes to cutting your fuel bill, the secret is ‘momentum management’. By monitoring, measuring, analysing and reporting exactly where your drivers need to up their game behind the wheel, they can be effectively trained to pilot your vehicles in the most fuel-friendly way possible,” concluded Roberts.
For more information on how to get a comprehensive fleet management solution tailored specifically to your needs, contact Orchid Telematics.
