The commercial fleet sector’s narrow margins and reliance on fuel make it particularly susceptible to rising fuel prices And while this is out of the fleet manager’s control. other costs are not.

One hidden cost is much closer to home than pump prices.

General business inefficiency and poor driver behaviour are the great ‘grey’ areas of commercial fleet costs. They do not show up each month in stark black and white, like fuel and equipment.

Now, more than ever, the commercial fleets must recognise that enhancing fleet management is essential to minimise waste, maximise productivity and strengthen customer relationships.

Thankfully, business management solutions continue to improve, delivering a range of efficiencies regardless of external forces and offering a vital edge in competitive market places.

Vehicle tracking enables users to monitor and manage fleets in real time, identify the nearest available vehicles for jobs, and to quickly and smartly adapt to changing road conditions and customer demands – as well as numerous other benefits, such as cutting unauthorised vehicle use, reducing idling and limiting excessive speed.

Telematics tools, such as CANbus engine management, can perform a variety of functions, including   identification of over revving, excessive acceleration, breaking and other key indicators of less than optimal driver performance – revealing the gap between good and bad driving that narrows profit margins.

Leading providers offer a service that goes ‘beyond the box’, and continually seek to help fleets strengthen customer relationships and cut costs. Furthermore, there are many other technologies, such as customer relationship management software and routing and scheduling software, that offer broad and bespoke benefits to business and demonstrate return on investment in tough times.

Fuel prices cannot be ignored – but they should never distract attention from the costs that can be controlled.