For most companies, having a fleet of vehicles could be a major administrative and technical challenge. So that managers and vehicle assignees need not bother with vehicle issues and could focus on their core business activities, management of a fleet is best outsourced to a fleet management company such as Philippine Auto Club (P.A.C.).
Although P.A.C. custom-designs its OverDrive Fleet Management Programs for each client, all programs are designed to drive down maintenance and operating costs, ensure the efficiency and roadworthiness of the vehicles, upgrade drivers’ skills, reduce the fleets’ impact on the environment, and take over the administrative burden from the client.
Web-based Fleet Management Software
“To manage the staggering amount of information pertaining to each fleet, P.A.C. developed its proprietary web-based Fleet Management Software (FMS). The FMS keeps track of information such as preventive maintenance due dates, service history, LTO deadlines, status of vehicles on down time, maintenance expenses, and a whole lot more,” explained Eric Soriano, president of P.A.C.
“Huge companies usually delegate fleet-related matters to their Human Resources (HR) unit. We designed the FMS in such a way that even HR personnel with minimal background in cars could monitor the status of their vehicles using the FMS,” said Soriano. “The FMS could even forecast a vehicle’s upcoming mileage-based service requirements and send email and SMS reminders about these to the vehicle assignee and HR personnel.”
Driver Training & Skills Certification
How much a company spends on vehicle repairs; depreciation; losses from accidents; insurance participation fees; fleet operating and maintenance costs; and lost employee productivity due to vehicle downtime is, to a very large extent, determined by the skill level of the drivers.
“Being a holder of a Philippine Driver’s License unfortunately does not guarantee an individual’s competence behind the wheel,” explained Eric Soriano, president of P.A.C. “Entrusting a vehicle to an improperly trained driver could therefore result in high vehicle maintenance and operating costs not to mention losses to property, life, and limb.”
To identify personnel who are not yet skillful enough to be assigned a company vehicle, companies can have their personnel undergo P.A.C.’s Driver Skills Certification. Drivers who don’t make the grade are given pointers on how to correct their mistakes and may undergo the certification process a second time free of charge.
10 Percent Solution
The “10 Percent Solution” module under P.A.C.’s Driver Training Program teaches vehicle assignees driving techniques that will help them a) get at least 10 percent better fuel consumption b) have at least 10 percent less accidents and c) make car components such as the suspension, brakes, and tires last at least 10 percent longer than averageFor a fleet that has about 150 vehicles, the 10 Percent Solution could easily contribute to six-figure monthly savings in fuel, repairs, and maintenance expenses.
Nationwide Coverage
Since some of the country’s most dynamic companies have field personnel all over the country, P.A.C. set up a nationwide network of service centers to look after clients’ vehicles in key towns and cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. P.A.C. also has fleet managers for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who ensure that field personnel and their vehicles regularly receive attention even when they’re outside Metro Manila.
