march2022 - 25

exposure to parts sources and ease of use provide
value to the distributor and the fleet or service facility
in the form of less downtime for service.
" Those abilities have greater value today when
you have supply chain challenges, " Seewack stated.
" Ecommerce parts platforms are a means of adapting
to changing parts purchasing practices, and they
offer continuity in products and pricing through a
better buying experience. "
Locally based but nationally
available parts management
solutions are available as well.
For example, fleets can utilize
vendor managed inventory
(VMI) services from NAPA
Integrated Business Solutions.
Through local facilities that are
backed by nationwide network
support, they can take advantage
of customized inventory
analysis, obsolete inventory
reduction planning, and min/
max ordering reviews.
According to NAPA, VMI
is a path to transaction cost
reduction because the parts
distributor network works with
hundreds of vendors to provide
full coverage, and its invoice
reconciliation services streamline
paperwork for accounting.
The online program from
NAPA also integrates with fleet
management software. The
supplier noted that seamless
integration with the inventory
system guarantees that all
parts issued are reflected on
work orders and in a vehicle's
service history. The platform
also provides compliance and
special-order reporting along
with parts cost analyses.
An example of the benefit
that comes with integrating
fleet management and parts
inventory systems can be
found in the Central Fleet
Management division of the
Public Works Department
for the City of Boston. At its
shops, the division maintains
1,100 vehicles for about 20
city departments and several
outside municipal agencies.
When the city wanted to
standardize its fleet processes,
the aim was to gain visibility
into all operating costs and
fleet utilization. Goals included
driving efficiencies and
eliminating
labor-intensive
manual processes. Following
a review process, the City
of Boston chose Chevin's
web-based FleetWave application
to manage its Central
Fleet Management division.
An important feature of the
software for the organization was the ability to
improve parts inventory management.
Boston handles all of its fleet inventory needs
on-site. Technicians bring work orders and vehicle
information to a parts room where the data
is entered into a point-of-sale system. FleetWave
is able to integrate with that system to facilitate
automatic charging of parts to work orders.
Matt Bradley, logistics specialist for the City of
Boston, explained the value of this parts-management
approach. " With our fleet-management
and parts point-of-sale systems fully integrated,
we are no longer in the parts business, " he
explained. " We don't have to tie up employees
for managing and restocking inventory, and we
don't have carrying costs for obsolete items. The
We Support
Private Fleets
Gray Manufacturing lifting equipment is designed so private fleets,
which operate their own fleet services facilities, can rest assured their
technicians have the most ergonomic, safe and productive lifting
equipment for all types of heavy duty vehicles and components.
Experience
The Gray Difference
Whether it's with our air jacks or a portable auto lift, we're minimizing
customer downtime through quality lifting equipment and integritybased
customer service. You might notice that you pay a little more
for our products, but they're safe, dependable and long lasting. Is it
worth it? Our customers definitely say it is.
FleetMaintenance.com/inquire
1.800.821.7320 * GRAYUSA.COM
March 2022 | FleetMaintenance.com
25
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march2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of march2022
