Despite ever rising fuel costs, innovative solutions are available to manage and reduce the impact…..
For any organisation operating a fleet of vehicles, especially in the public sector, fuel usage is a matter of paramount concern. Considering the absolute necessity and the price instability of this important commodity, it’s only natural that operators seek to make the most of their supplies. Increasingly there is also value in taking a wider perspective relating to
fuel management and efficiency; an integrated approach with other transport initiatives has extended benefits in delivering energy efficiency objectives and policies.
The hard facts are that fuel stock and vehicle management are fundamental drivers of controlling cost. Visibility of stock loss and reconciliation, fuel measurement, procurement, fuel control and vehicle performance and maintenance are all key factors in the effective and efficient operation of any fleet. In addition it is imperative that operators are assured that any management information that they are presented with has integrity and can be configured and accessed easily.
Management Information and Analysis
There is a fundamental requirement in having an accurate source of data supply; software integrity is essential. Many software packages allow operators flexibility to tailor the software package to their own requirements; the benefit of which is that the user can develop special modules for specific requirements of the road transport industry, such as the fuel duty rebate calculation for the bus and coach industry, or the special requirements of the emergency services and public authorities, as well as basic fleet management features.
Highly functional systems that are ideal for larger fleets, communicate fuel usage information from single or multiple fuelling sites back to a centrally located PC, allowing reports ranging from stock levels to usage by vehicle to be generated at the touch of a button. They can also be set to automatically monitor fuel dispensing around the clock. User-friendly PC-based fuel management software packages provide all the information needed in a configurable and user friendly format. The parameters can be set easily to let the system do the work, reliably producing accurate, up-to-date management information and reports, when required.
Key features Of Fuel Management Software Packages:
• Report email facility
• Windows-based software
• Supports Multi User applications
• Fully compatible with all VBi Triscan PC linked systems
Comprehensive Reporting Facilities include:
• Exception reports
• User-defined reports generator
• Routine Fleet Management
• Stock level monitoring
• Service Schedules
• MOT alerts
• Duel fuel vehicle management
• Tyre management
• Target MPG
• User, site & vehicle report options
Other systems communicate fuelling data from monitoring units located at one or more fuelling sites back to a centralised PC. This data can then be used to create reports, whilst the monitoring units themselves prevent unauthorised dispensing. Many systems are also Weights & Measures approved for the resale of fuel which has the added benefit of being used with commercial fuel cards.
Security
As has already been mentioned, the tried and tested, Windows-compatible software suites keeps round-the-clock watch on fleet fuelling operations, automatically producing exception reports to alert you to any fuel transaction deviations. Programmes within the software mean you can identify areas which need particular vigilance and, at the touch of a button, keep a constant check on individual facets of your fuelling operations.
Operators also have the choice of additional security features whereby, the driver simply refuels and drives off. During the fuelling, information on the fuel dispensed, the vehicle, its mileage and the number of hours run are automatically transferred to the system for collation and analysis. This occurs as a result of a device installed on board the vehicle itself.
A
kisskey system is a unique vehicle based system consisting of a fuel island controller, an access device, which is a simple fob that can be attached to a keyring, and an on-board processor, which picks up information relating to a vehicle’s movements. This information is transferred via the access device/fob to a fuel island controller, which in turn, transmits the data to a PC for analysis. Kisskey is the perfect combination of fuel security and automatic information capture. The system allows operators to gather accurate management information whilst controlling access to fuel stocks. The system is ideal for use in applications where mileage data is important. With Kisskey accurate data relating to the vehicle, driver and mileage, is captured at a stroke and removes opportunities for human error in data collection.
Fuel Managementby VBi Limited
