The service work truck fleet is in some ways the heart and soul of many businesses. Ensuring your service truck fleet is in top condition goes a long way toward a smoothly run business. This is why it is imperative that companies stay on top of fleet maintenance. With so many trucks in a fleet it can be difficult to keep track of which truck needs what, where, and when. Without implementing a management method, the maintenance of service work trucks is a hassle, which is why more and more companies are moving toward an established fleet maintenance plan.
PROACTIVE VS REACTIVE
There are two main methods of service work truck fleet maintenance: reactive and proactive. There are benefits to both methods, and both are widely used. The reactive method focuses on servicing trucks only when an issue arises. For example, only when a truck breaks down will the firm look to fix it. The proactive method involves routinely servicing trucks through preventive maintenance. The idea is to catch an issue before it becomes a bigger one. Rather than wait for the truck to break down, the company routinely services the vehicle to ensure it runs smoothly.
There are benefits to both methods. The biggest difference between the two methods is upfront cost. The proactive method requires constant maintenance, which requires time, money, and resources on a regular basis. When using the reactive method, the only issue is cost when an issue arises, so that in the meantime, firms don’t worry about the cost of routine checks. The big downside to the reactive method is that by waiting for an issue to arise, the cost to fix could be much higher than if it had routine checks, or even worse, the vehicle may need to be replaced altogether.
INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
Implementing a proactive fleet maintenance plan can increase the productivity of employees. The more time trucks are out of service, the less time those employees have to perform their jobs. There may be a situation where a service rep is out on a call and their work truck breaks down. This prevents the service rep from completing the call, which results in both lost time and revenue. Ensuring that all service work trucks are up and running does wonders for productivity and gives companies peace of mind that employees are fulfilling their duties.
CUT COSTS
Employing a proactive fleet maintenance plan cuts down on costs in the long run. This is because waiting too long to address issues with a service work truck can exacerbate the problem, which often leads to other problems. What started out as a small issue like needing an oil change can develop into a costly repair if the vehicle is not serviced.
ADOPT A PLAN
Managing a fleet is not an easy task, and keeping every truck in top shape is even harder. This is why many companies are now adopting a proactive maintenance plan for service work trucks. Companies using these plans feel assured that most problems are caught before they grow into a large repair. The challenge is how to go about implementing a proactive maintenance plan.
Next month’s issue of MWS will feature part two of this article: how to implement a proactive maintenance plan for your work truck fleet.
Eric Goldstein is the president of C/F Data Systems. With more than a quarter of a century of experience in the construction software arena, Goldstein leads C/F Data’s ongoing development of the company’s flagship solution, STRUCTURE. Find out more, visit www.cfdatasystems.com.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE
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