Training

Questions to ask

• What training is provided as standard during implementation?
• How long is the training likely to take?
• Does the training involve only the fleet manager or every staff member who will use it?
• Is the training done in-house, remotely or even online?
• Will there be an additional cost for any further training after implementation?“

Training differs from one software company to another.

Some suppliers have a ‘train the trainer’ approach whereby key members of staff are trained and they then pass on their knowledge to other staff.

It may be necessary to have the initial familiarisation training ahead of the ‘go live’ date and then a second phase of training later to ensure staff are getting the most out of the system.

Service support

Questions to ask

• What happens if the system completely crashes?
• Is there a back-up server? 
• Do you pay an additional/monthly fee for service support?

It’s always worth asking precisely what support is available if you do have any operational or technical issues with your software.

At the very least, you need the reassurance that a helpdesk exists at the end of the phone or email. But, in the worst case scenario, ask how quickly an engineer could get to your office or log on to the system remotely to resolve any problems.

Software updates

Questions to ask

• How often will these updates be necessary?
• How often will it be necessary to build a whole new system?
• How are ‘mini’ updates carried out – remotely or in-house?
• What will the updating process consist of?

It’s a fact that fleet management software is going to require updates.

But while some providers do regular ‘mini’ updates, others build a whole new system. A major upgrade could require months of planning – and you also need to factor in testing and training.

It’s important to know that timely updates are going to take place to ensure that your system’s efficiency is optimised.