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The benefits of fleet management technology for service providers are well documented. Fleet managers around the country are using the technology to increase workforce productivity, lower operational costs and improve driver behavior, among other benefits. But this technology isn’t just for those looking to boost their bottom line; it can also be an important strategic asset for organizations delivering community service.  

Baltimore-based Moveable Feast, a charitable organization that provides meal delivery and transportation services to low-income residents with life threatening illness, is one of the forward-looking nonprofit organizations taking advantage of the benefits of fleet management software. Each year, the organization depends on donors to maintain its fleet of eight vans, which each make 30 to 50 deliveries daily and travel about 200,000 miles annually. In order to achieve greater delivery efficiencies, reduce daily wear and tear on vehicles, and invest donors’ time and money more wisely, Moveable Feast decided to install a fleet tracking system from Fleetmatics, a leading global provider of fleet management solutions.

“The monies that we use to do our services are all made by donations, so Fleetmatics has helped us be better stewards of those monies and help to create a more accountable and responsible staff,” said Moveable Feast Executive Director, Thomas Bonderenko.

Prior to installing the software, Moveable Feast’s field operations had several inefficiencies that affected client service, notably a lack of visibility into vehicle use and driver behavior. Management suspected some misuse of the vehicles but lacked the proof needed to take any action.

“On our light delivery days, it was taking just as long to complete routes as it did on the heavy days,” adds Bonderenko.

In order to more accurately judge the performance of its vehicles, Moveable Feast first established a performance baseline using fleet tracking data. Bonderenko then closely monitored driver behavior during the three months after implementation and found great improvement.

“What resulted was a much greater sense of accountability when you know you’re being tracked,” says Bonderenko.

In addition to increasing driver accountability for vehicle usage, Fleetmatics also allows Moveable Feast to run more efficiently. When the drivers arrive in the morning, they receive routing instructions for the day’s deliveries and the software directs the driver to each stop using the most express route. This saves drivers about 10 miles each day in travel distance. Throughout the day, managers can also monitor driver activity, including start time, duration of each stop, and progress along scheduled routes, to ensure clients receive the best possible service, while also ensuring driver safety and security.

For Moveable Feast, gaining deeper visibility into its operations has allowed the organization to identify and eliminate the misuse of agency vans, including one driver who was driving home up to three times a day while on duty. Supervisors are better able to manage operational costs, including an estimated fuel cost savings of $400 a month, and gain insight into vehicle fuel economy. Moveable Feast also tracks vehicle maintenance through service alerts generated by on-board equipment to avoid costly, unplanned repairs.

These benefits ultimately allow charitable organizations like Moveable Feast to provide crucial services to those in need – faster, safer and more reliably. While fleet management technology can give service providers the tools to gain a competitive advantage, it can also play an important role in allowing service-based nonprofit organizations to maximize their impact within the community, delivering better service to those who need it most. For Moveable Feast, that means better enabling them to satisfy their mission of feeding people, fighting disease and fostering hope. 

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Todd Ewing is director of product marketing at Fleetmatics, a leading global provider of fleet management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses and enterprises, delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). 

 

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