VAN fleet operators need to innovate to beat the worst effects of the credit crunch, according to computer software specialist CFC Solutions.

CFC says that new answers are needed to the renewed emphasis on cost control brought about by tougher economic conditions.

Neville Briggs, managing director, said: “Operating costs are coming under the microscope in a manner that fleets haven’t seen since the recession of the early 1990s but issues such as fleet health and safety and the environment are not going away.

“How are fleets going to cope?

“We believe the answer lies in working with everyone involved in their processes – from driver to supplier.

“No-one likes working in tougher economic times but they do have a key advantage – suddenly nothing is off the agenda.

"Ideas that you may have dismissed in the past as too radical or outlandish can suddenly seem a whole lot more feasible.”

Mr Briggs said the way that some fleets had brought together unified fuel management and carbon footprint reduction policies were a good example of
this thinking.

He said: “Two areas that are entirely complementary and where all fleets should be aiming to make improvements are fuel management and the environment.

“Almost anything you do to cut fuel use will also improve your carbon footprint and vice versa and forward thinking fleets have realised this.

"Those that have taken an innovative approach and looked at these areas side-by-side have achieved much.

By doing this on our fleet, we have cut our carbon footprint by 27%.”

Mr Briggs said many of the innovations that were available to fleets came from the newer technology available within its fleet software products.

He said: “Much of the technology that we have introduced in the last couple of years is aimed at putting in place a sophisticated fleet policy that meets your key aims – and then collecting accurate information and measuring it against these objectives.”