Fleet Management System

Logistics can be defined as activities that optimize the distribution of freight and freight flow information from manufacturer to consumer.

Logistics is the key link of a business with business partners and customers. Movement of goods and services are important for any manufacturing or consumption process. And speed of this movement dictates market presence.

For centuries, goods were individually tailored by craftsmen for customers. Manufacture was very limited and distribution was local. During the industrial revolution, products became cheaper to produce due to standardization and were produced in mass. This meant spreading the geographical area of sales and thus distribution networks grew. To cater to widely located markets, the logistic business including transportation modes and methods grew.

The Growth of Logistics

The supply chain cycle is an important logistic sequence in the business cycle. The origin of logistics system can be related to the military supply process. The system was necessitated in order to manage and deploy large volumes of supplies and troops.

Over time corporates adopted similar logistics systems. They established logistics as stand-alone divisions for transportation and manufacturing. As the walls between divisions gradually melted, a new logistics approach emerged to help tie together the supply chain, which linked the entire movement and storage of freight.

New distribution patterns emerged as markets demanded greater speed to consumers, creating distribution sites closer to consumers, just-in-time manufacturing and more comprehensive supply chain management.

From the mid-90s companies have discovered the benefits of hiring outside or third party logistics experts to manage the total flow of products from raw materials to finished goods. They also see the value of providing strategic business counsel, enabling companies to become more efficient, competitive and to focus on their core competencies.

Management of logistics has gained ground as a profession in itself due to proven results from specialized technologies, engineering expertise and operational results.

The Internet Revolution

The advent of internet has now started redefining businesses and business strategies. Companies are slowly converting their operations to online operations by moving to the web. They are interested in building collaborative, digital networks that will link them with suppliers and customers. This will help firms to deliver tailored products quickly and reliably, creating a value net for manufacturers, suppliers and customers.

The future of logistic management is growing with the growth of various industries and also the fact that they are expanding globally. Technology is the biggest aid that has helped in expansion of markets. For eg: processed foods from a particular part of the globe is available in any other part of the world due the technology involved in manufacturer of it and the speed of transport logistics.

Some challenges in the field of logistics include:

• Improving client's distribution system which includes manufacturing sites, warehouses and shipping locations
• Streamlining distribution of packaged freight
• Direct traffic flow for different routing centers
• Reducing operational and administrative costs while improving on-time service and related reporting
• Interface with the ERP of the firm

Transportation Management System

An inherent part of logistics is transportation. Several firms outsource their transport/distribution requirements. This has led to the growth of fleet operators. Fleet operators handle several vehicles: in numbers and kind: which move from one part of the world to another. It is imperative that the fleet manager know which vehicle is heading where, carrying what and how soon it will reach the destination.

A transport management system will streamline the entire process and:

• Cut down total transportation costs
  
• Build consistency
  
• Monitor rates
  
• Find ideal mode of transportation or carrier for a defined set of goods
  
• Increase load-planning efficiency
  
• Improve freight audit and payment, load tender, shipment tracking, routing and cost allocation

eonour's Fleet Management System

Fleet Management System is a web based solution developed by eonour software ltd.. It automates the fleet logistics including details of vehicles, employees, movement, consignors etc.

The features of this solution include:

1 Master and Maintenance Details of Fleet: The complete details of the vehicles in a fleet, including: engine and chassis number, status (if owned or hypothecated), make, tonnage, insurance, fitness permit, expenses on upkeep of vehicle, monitoring of parts usage and which brand is more efficient, fuel efficiency etc can be accessed.

2 Routing and Trip Details: Depending on availability of vehicles, pending orders, inventory of goods etc the consignor can plan the shipment. The trip details: giving the movement for any given job such as: place and time of departure/arrival, consignor/consignee, name of driver and cleaner is also available.

3 Employee Details: All details relating to personnel can be accessed. These would include: employee background, driving licence, remarks, any advance or loan taken, pending payment etc.

4 Billings and Payment Details: These details relate to payments relating to the consignor to the fleet company. These will access and calculate on the basis of the agreements between consignor and the firm. Details of balance of payments, penalties/incentives etc are available. Electronic Funds Transfer is also incorporated for online payment.

5 Eventuality Details: Records on vehicle/driver enventualities such as: accidents, insurance claimed, vehicle being impounded etc are available.

6 Workshop Management: Usually large fleet owners maintain their own workshops where the vehicles are serviced. Complete account of workshop such as: spares, inventory level, vehicles services, payment details for workshop are available.

This solution also generates a number of reports which give help in the planning and updation of the fleet. These include:

• Report on Driver Status: Per driver, number of kilometers driven, number of accidents (if any), average speed, road maintenance cost claimed by driver, traffic offences, number of leave availed, total number of trips for a given period, percentage of trips on schedule and with/without damag
• Report on Vehicle Status: Per vehicle: history of vehicle, maintenance cost, expenditure per kilometer, downtime for a vehicle in a particular period
• Reports giving details of the age of vehicles, particular state permits, categorization (container, tanker) details, due date for servicing etc are also available.
• Reports which help planning give details on: slowest stretch in a journey, trips that take above average time, which consignor is the largest income generator, consignor with bad payment records etc.