RentalMetrics

Should I pick ONE fleet management-asset management GPS solution across the enterpirse to maximize ROI?

We get this question quite a bit.  Often, larger organizations have divisions or departments that are tasked with "finding a GPS solution that will solve their needs".  In the end, that solution does just that...solves ONE group's needs.  The group tasked with choosing a GPS fleet management solution will examine the wants, needs, must haves, delighter's, etc. with their lens on, often overlooking synergy between other departments. 

Most often, the transportation department will not be consulted or considered when buying ASSET based GPS fleet management devices. 

That's too bad, because often times 10-30 minutes of wasted time per day per rental transport driver can be saved by dispatching the driver directly to the machine based on its exact and current location NOW...not the location of where it was dropped off. 

Whatever your dispatching system (white board, Nextel, yellow pad, software system) just providing transport with a means to know exactly where their pick up located vs. guessing based on drop can yield enough ROI to pay the monthly bill for the tracking devices.  Remember, if canvassing an area for 15 minutes searching is enough to put driver A into overtime...you've not only paid the monthly bill for one GPS device...but likely 3 or 4.

It's very important to look at your operation as a whole (THE ENTERPRISE) to fully exploit the economic benefit (ROI) of a fleet management GPS solution.  This is often very difficult to do with busy schedules and competing interests.  The RentalMetrics team highly recommends a comprehensive look at the each piece of the enterprise before deciding on a solution.  Making the right choice of fleet management GPS solutions NOW...will pay huge dividends down the long and winding road.

We dive into many more examples of this situation and explore the ROI opportunities in our Interactive Learning Environment or ILE. 

RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase - Blue Sky Network

If you can spare 5 minutes and 44 seconds...take a look at the next installment in our Online GPS Product Showcase where we chat with Blue Sky Networks, an Iridium Satellite Tracking Partner/Provider.

Coming Soon: More In Depth Interviews

I've been busy lining up some pretty incredible interviews for you.  Over the next couple weeks, you'll hear from some great technology solution providers as they discuss ways to become more efficient while reducing "noise" in the construction/equipment rental sector.

We'll also be having an incredibly valuable discussion with the CEO of Central Desktop, Isaac Garcia.  Central Desktop is the award winning web based team collaboration / project management software included with every subscription to RentalMetrics...that's right....included.  We figured it was pretty smart to wrap up the goods you need to succeed in one nice package.  I've personally used Central Desktop to reduce technology project deployment costs and times in half.

As Spring has sprung in most of country (sorry Wisconsin), we know that business volume should begin to ramp up.  As such, the time is now to devote some quality time to your business processes.  Tune them up like you would an overworked and under serviced dozer.  Doesn't she look beautiful when she comes out of the shop all shiny and purring like a kitten? 

Let's shine up your fleet management or marketing plan together.

"Confessions" book coverage results in global exposure

Yesterday, Michael Krigsman over at the IT Project Failures blog posted a nice review/highlight of my "Confessions" book.  He was very adept at showing the value of the book as a guide to reduce hype in the enterprise sales process...and not a "hit piece" on the sales profession (we're all selling all the time right?).

As a result of his post and various other channels, RentalMetrics has been contacted by companies as close as our own backyard, Des Moines, Iowa...and far away as Bangalore, India. 

The power of delivering a solid product and service on line is unparalleled.  It allows us to have Breakfast with Brits...and Lunch with Laotians...and Dinner with Dominicans. 

If you're wondering what blogs, social media, social networking, and sharing your knowledge of your niche with the world can possibly do for you...I'd be happy to chat with you,

over a coffee... or over a broadband connection.

CAT testing Rental Stores WITHIN Home Depot

It's reported that CAT is testing its Rental Store model within a Home Depot in Texas.  With all the talk of major expansion, CAT was probably destined to find a partner with the infrastructure to accelerate its plans. 

I think it's a great fit.  CAT can offer landscapers and other contractors the "smaller stuff" that typically goes to the total rental solution providers now...while having the ability to call upon the larger big yellow iron brothers if required.

The Home Depot provides CAT ample real estate and a built in base of loyal customers too.  This will prove to be a fantastic strategic move for both Home Depot and CAT.

So which rental firm will partner with Lowe's now?  How about Menards?

Return on Investment from GPS Solutions

Paul and I were chatting the other day about the ROI model going into our Independent Learning Environment subscription site.   It was interesting because we hit upon something that often gets lost when project teams are caught up in justifying the expense or dissecting the areas in which ROI can be captured.

So often, ROI models include things that are very cool and very critical to savings....if you use them. 

If your main purchase driver is theft prevention, then it would be silly to count "Higher and more accurate billable hours" in your calculations.  Even if you have every intention of "possibly using those other features", your ROI in this case would be:

1. Possibly reduced insurance rates for the fleet.
2. No down time while stolen machine would be processed/replaced.
3. Deductible not paid out.

There's nothing wrong with using this ROI model at all.  The key is recognizing that a GPS tracking system may have 5-10 key areas of savings it takes credit for...but if you don't have the staff or system to take advantage of them (at least today) don't delude yourself into using those elements to justify the expense.

Qualcomm Offering OmniVision Metro for Local Fleet Management

Qualcomm has just launched "OmniVision Metro", a terrestrial based solution targeted toward metro market based fleet operations (think service trucks, delivery vehicles, landscapers, pest control, couriers, etc.).

According to Qualcomm,

“The focus [with OV Metro] was on the user interface – the software and applications,” Gillespie said. “We want to let people manage their business without having to learn ours.”  Comparing it to the intuitive interface of the iPod, he added, “We want to give the users access to everything they want without needing outside help to get it.”

I recommend reading the full press release. 

It intrigues me though that QCOM seems to be dipping its toes well into the "total solution software" game here. They mention that the platform is quite open and agnostic so plenty of 3rd party apps can be used on it.  But they go on to say,

"Future services and features planned for OV Metro include workforce management tools with support for handheld devices that would aid proof of delivery, inventory management, signature capture and other remote data functions."

Has the pendulum swung back toward providing a full compliment of software/hardware/integration/airtime/support?  For a while there, I was convinced otherwise. 

I think it's the right move for QCOM to offer a full compliment of services and software. 

Too few companies are able to take FULL advantage of the QCOM solutions because they have other legacy software issues requiring expensive integration...OR...they don't have other key pieces of software (dashboard analytics, dispatching, mobile resource management, etc.) that leverage the "dots on a map" data into usable/actionable information. 

This offering REALLY rounds out the QCOM package and I think it could make a big impact on the market. 

 

RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase - On-Board Communications

Today inside the RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase, we're chatting with Larry Simmons of On-Board Communications.  If you can spare 5 minutes...you may be able to save yourself months of research as we do the heavy lifting for you.  Take a look...and a listen.

RentalMetrics RedMeat Podcast - When Six Sigma Works...and when it doesn't

In this edition of the RentalMetrics RedMeat Podcast, Doug and Paul have an open and informative discussion on their experience with 6 Sigma in organizations.  If you are a 6 Sigma company or are contemplating moving to that set of tools to improve your company...this one is worth a listen.
Download RentalMetrics_Podcast2_WhenSixSigmaWorks.mp3

You can also listen via our Podbean hosted site.

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Providing value to our client base and the greater industry

Yesterday, we posted another great Online GPS Product Showcase on Fleet Management Solutions, Inc.  We use these 5 minute audio/video productions to provide insight and information into technology solutions geared toward the industry. 

This is our way of showcasing not only the type of information that RentalMetrics offers...but the medium of delivery. 

For my money, I'd rather hear a consolidated 5 minute pitch from the CEO of a solution provider than hear an hour long sales pitch from 10 vendors right out of the gate.  You don't have the kind of time to research the hundreds of solutions out there.  Hungry? Let us buy you some time today for lunch.

FMS's CEO Cliff Henly thought our production was excellent...and worthy of posting on FMS's own company website as a marketing tool. 

Paul Gratton is our Research Jedi and Production Wizard here at RentalMetrics and he deserves major applause for creating such excellent marketing materials.  Materials so good that Inc 500 companies leverage them on their own sites.  Nice work Paul.