Shifting from an in-house maintenance program to an outsourced one is a big commitment. Yet, many fleets consider it because it very often can be a game changer, from both a cost and efficiency perspective. But it is not for everyone. So, how will you know? Piloting outsourced maintenance first can allow you to test if it is the best, most cost-efficient option for your fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Setting up a pilot program gives you control over the\nprocess. That way you know the direct outcomes. You get to set up your own KPIs\nand benchmarks according to the needs of your organization. Why do it any other\nway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a Pilot Program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A pilot program is a small-scale trial period that allows\nyou to learn how an overall change to the business model might affect the\nentire fleet. It could be testing a new type of alternative-fuel vehicle or\nimplementing a telematics system on a handful of vehicles. It could also\ninvolve helping you decide whether you should outsource your maintenance needs\nor not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever you do, just don\u2019t rush. For example, when piloting\nan outsourced maintenance solution there could be an immediate, but often\nshort-term, spike in costs that will pay off in the long term. Don\u2019t let that\nspike make you nervous. See through the program to get results!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Defining the goals of your pilot program is an important\npreliminary step in the process, which includes determining the return on\ninvestment (ROI) that you hope to attain. While in most cases it will not be\nimmediate, it is important to take into consideration the small sample size you\nare starting with and understand how to translate the small sample size to the\nbigger picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have small obtainable goals in mind first, such as\ndecreasing maintenance costs by 20% in the first six months. Outsourced\nmaintenance partners can also give you some insight into how other motor\ncarriers have implemented similar programs and the results they\u2019ve seen. It\nmakes it easier to know what you want to do when you see other fleets have\nsucceeded a the same solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Set it Up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step in the process is to isolate and contact the\npartners you might want to work with. Research companies that you are\ninterested in and find out more about them and what separates them from other vendors.\nAnd this is true for just about any vendor, not just maintenance vendors. Don\u2019t\nbe afraid to ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you are meeting with a company representative in\nperson or having a conversation over the phone, you need to be ready with a\nlist of questions that will give you more insight into what a new vendor can\noffer you, and if they are the right choice for your particular operation.\nThere are other considerations to make, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussing your goals and options with your preferred vendor\nwill be the make-or-break on whether the relationship works. You want them to\nbe able to help you pick a site to run the pilot program, as well as offer\ntheir expertise on how to best integrate their services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the point: The best vendors will carefully plan the\ntransition, speak directly with the technicians and staff, and anticipate your\nneeds before you even voice them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Identify Special Candidates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Efficiency and cost are the two factors that are behind almost any significant and enduring change to a fleet program. As a fleet manager, you want to improve one and reduce the other. This might be more difficult for some fleets, especially smaller ones that have a tougher time showing a return on investment in a short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Larger fleets often have more established and better managed\nmaintenance programs, maintenance capabilities and maintenance resources. Big\ntrucking companies often are more able to standardize their procedures and\ncreate policies that others within the organization can easily follow. To\nensure that efficiency and cost requirements are met, fleet managers need to\ndemand more than just customization, they require specific processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reputable maintenance vendors that have been in the business\nfor a long time understand that each motor carrier is unique and will not be\nsurprised when you ask for a solution that meets the specific needs of your\nfleet. Be ready with your list of desires and make sure the third-party\nmaintenance provider understands the order of importance, and what you expect\nfrom them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pilot program is not only a test of a product or service;\nit is a chance to see how a company reacts when things go smoothly and, more\nimportant, when things go wrong. Every solution is not for every fleet, and\nwhile you might expect it to better your fleet at the onset, the results of a\npilot might uncover other hidden benefits or complications that you did not\nanticipate. Therefore, it\u2019s best to start small and then expand. A pilot helps\nyou work out any kinks that arise, smooth them out, and move onto a larger\nimplementation, maybe even a full implementation, reaping efficiency and cost\nsavings at a larger scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a case of making an investment versus taking a gamble.\nAnd in the fleet world, you need facts, figures, and positive results to make\nthe case to change from an in-house maintenance program to an outsourced one.\nThe trust and confidence you build with your provider is critically important\nto accomplishing this, and together you can determine the best path forward in\nexpanding a successful pilot. Want to find a vendor you can count on? Make sure\nto develop an effective pilot program!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"