diagnosticsupplement1022 - 12

FLEET OPERATIONS
Four ways the
C-suite can improve
diagnostics efficiency
When upper management embraces diagnostics, fleets can
expect a dramatic improvement in several areas of the fleet.
by Cristina Commendatore, editor-in-chief, FleetOwner
F
leet executives have an abundance
of data at their fingertips every
day. Whether and how they choose
to act on it, however, will ultimately set
them apart from the rest.
In particular,
the diagnostics data
that fleets can obtain from their vehicles
today-from both electronic and
mechanical systems-is becoming more
critical to maintenance professionals,
who, in turn, pass along that information
to drivers, load planners, and end
customers. That data has become increasingly
more valuable amid ongoing
supply chain challenges, as dealerships
and fleet shops alike are incredibly busy
and already stretched thin.
Ultimately, the fleets that can obtain
a fault code, recognize what the code
means, and then fix the problem at
their home base rather than relying on
dealers, who are experiencing longer
and longer lead times, are at an advantage.
That's at least how Paul Pettit, VP
of maintenance at Kansas City-based
Riverside Transport Inc., sees it.
" Getting the vehicle back to our shop
where we can control the speed to repair
and the inventory is critical to us, " he advised.
" There is a shortage everywhere
and if we can have the inventory on-hand,
our techs can diagnose and repair it. "
And in the long run, that process will
save fleets time and money. Based on
some conversations our Commercial
Vehicle Group has had with experts in
the industry, we've compiled four ways
that a fleet's C-suite can make the most
of the diagnostic data available today.
1.
Understand the
importance of diagnostics
to overall operations
As a fleet maintenance leader, Pettit has
incorporated diagnostics in his previous
work for fleets across the country.
Relatively new to Riverside Transport's
operations, Pettit is implementing some
best practices to the four shops he oversees
between Riverside Transport and its
sister company, Little Rock, Arkansasbased
Transco Lines.
" There's a lot of good data you can get from the diagnostics.
It allows you to be proactive with a breakdown scenario versus
being reactive once the driver is broken down on the side
of the road and calling you.
"
-Paul Pettit, VP of maintenance, Riverside Transport Inc.
12 Fleet Diagnostics * October 2022
Photos: 1322205575 | shapecharge | Getty Images;
162457904 | Vitpho | Dreamstime
Overall, Pettit runs a dedicated fleet of
about 1,600 tractors and dry van trailers.
" There's a lot of good data you can
get from the diagnostics, " Pettit said.
" It allows you to be proactive with a
breakdown scenario versus being reactive
once the driver is broken down on
the side of the road and calling you. It's
one of the things that has evolved over
the last several years and something all
OEMs offer now. "
All too often, however, Pettit has noticed
that diagnostic tools are being
underutilized by fleets. And that, he believes,
could be a costly mistake.
" Use these tools to your advantage to
avoid some of the breakdown issues that
you can see coming before they end up as
long-term breakdowns, " Pettit advised.
It's worth noting that diagnostics are
more important than ever as the number
of sensors and electronic connectivity
points on vehicles has increased.
Brandon Alexander, marketing manager
for Thinkcar, has noted that newer ve
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