It is likely that you have heard the term big data by now, as it has become a buzzword in recent years. But in case you have not, it refers to the gathering of massive amounts of information from a wide variety of sources for in-depth analysis.
Big data is often emphasized for providing deep visibility into business operations, such as your enterprise fleet— empowering you to make informed business decisions. However, big data can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. Vehicles are constantly generating data points, so as an enterprise you have to manage thousands of data points daily from your fleet’s hundreds or thousands of vehicles.
"Enterprise fleets: learn how to manage your thousands of vehicle data points generated daily”
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So, how do you control the chaos and gain value rather than frustration from your data points?
In this post: 1. Compile Data into One Central System 2. Automate Data Collection 3. Automate Analysis 4. Avoid big data burnout. Digest Data in Spoonfuls
Compile Data into One Central System
One of big data’s major challenges is that you may be gathering data from multiple sources and locations simultaneously. As a result, it can be a pain simply trying to find a certain data category and avoid losing data. When it is time to actually analyze it all, your head is already spinning from the logistical nightmare.
You can avoid this confusion and frustration by keeping all your data points in one central location— ideally a software (not a massive Excel file). As a result, your enterprise fleet information will be easy to locate and access. You also won’t have to explain to upper management how you lost data or cannot remember where certain data points are located.
Automate Data Collection
For major fleets like your own, it is incredibly difficult to manually collect all your vehicle data points. If you are doing this manually, you are likely not capturing all the data points possible. By using telematics, you can save a lot of time and effort by simply automating the data collection process.
Telematics such as fleet management software can automatically update fleet data like odometer readings, fuel purchases, and parts and inventory. External data can easily be pulled into this central location with third-party integrations. These systems have extensive data storage capabilities and can organize all fleet vehicle information and collected data.
You are extremely busy, so use your time valuably by working with data rather than inputting it.
Automate Analysis
Automate your fleet data analysis to save even more time. Utilize a system such as fleet management software to access a dashboard of real-time fleet information and charts. Telematic systems can generate a variety reports for you—saving you time and empowering you to catch problems before they affect the fleet.
Reports that telematic systems can automatically create and update for you include:
- Average operating cost per mile
- Cost per meter
- Service costs compared to fuel costs
- Monthly service costs and fuel costs
- Vehicle meter readings
- Total cost trend
- Average vehicle fuel economies and cost per gallon
You can gain powerful, real-time insight into fleet operations and the telematics system does the work for you!
Avoid big data burnout. Digest data in spoonfuls
Big data is overwhelming, especially when data points are piling up and you do not find time to analyze them for weeks or months. It can be a domino effect where as you wait to analyze your fleet data it becomes increasingly difficult, so you continue to push it off. Instead of enduring this endless cycle, commit to frequently digesting fleet data in small amounts.
"Frequently analyze enterprise fleet data to keep it manageable.”
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Devote a few minutes a week to review fleet data instead of a day every few months. This way the data is more reasonable (and pleasant) to manage and you know how your fleet is operating that moment. When you frequently review fleet data, you can avoid major surprises and address any present issues before losing significant time and money.
