Use GPS Software to Reduce Fuel Cost

Fuel is a major expense for every field service business. Here are three ways to use your GPS software to reduce fuel cost. Side benefits will include improved customer service and reduced environmental impact.

Reduce miles driven when scheduling and dispatching

The most obvious use of GPS software is map view when scheduling to minimize miles driven. And, when your trucks are out, assigning each incoming service call to the nearest technician.

But that’s not all. Keep repeat/maintenance accounts on the map as unscheduled work orders. If a technician finishes a job in less time than anticipated, or you have a cancellation, you may be able to assign a stop nearby or on the tech’s return route.

Assign costs accurately with zone billing

Look at a month’s history of service calls on a map. Do you see natural clusters? Use zone billing to reduce trip charges for those customers, and assign higher costs to jobs that require more travel per hour billed.

Combine single-trip job sites into a route

Did you have drivers going long distances for single service calls to the same region? Consider scheduling non-emergency work orders for those locations on certain days of the week. You may be able to cover several work orders in a single trip.

Reward fuel-efficient behavior

Unnecessary idle time, extra stops, speeding and aggressive driving all increase the cost of fuel per mile driven. Compare drivers, looking at the ratio of actual miles driven to fuel costs, non-job-site stops, and trip time. After adjusting for practical issues, identify fuel-use heroes and victims, and recognize them accordingly.

Interested in GPS tracking for your field service?

See what RazorSync can do for your company. We invite you to sit in on a Live Demonstration, begin a 30-Day Free Trial, or call 1-877-675-4395 for more information.