Technology is rapidly changing the way that school districts manage their transportation departments. Along with solutions like bus routing and tracking software programs, many professionals are relying on fleet management software to keep on top of their preventative maintenance. For some districts, preventative maintenance is a monumental task that takes constant attention, but with the help of the right software program, transportation officials can track inventory and better document the efforts of their maintenance staff.
Choosing the Right Fleet Management Software
In the fleet management software sector, each provider offers something a little different, so it’s important to prioritize your needs and preferences before deciding on a software solution. Here are some features to consider.
- Some programs strive to be an all-in-one solution, which may ease the burden for you, but you may prefer a program with fewer features and a more focused feel.
- If scheduling is a challenge, there are specific programs that can help you manage calendars and track progress toward your maintenance goals. While this is helpful for districts who are managing other facets of their departments with different software, these programs might not offer a solution that’s comprehensive for those who don’t.
- Fully customizable systems are a great way to incorporate the needs of the entire department but don’t have the preformatted templates and out-of-the-box features that other fleet maintenance software programs offer.
- Some programs operate in the cloud, while others require an in-house server. This will affect the remote capabilities of the program, access to tech support and how the district’s IT team manages it.
Technology Solutions That Work Together
Whatever software program you choose to manage your fleet maintenance, it’s important to determine how well it functions with your existing transportation software and fits the individual needs of your school district. To talk more about the school transportation software options offered by BusBoss and how they work in tandem with fleet maintenance programs, contact our team of transportation specialists. We’d love to discuss how this technology works together to ensure safer, better organized school transportation departments.
What fleet management program is your school district utilizing to manage your maintenance program? What features have you found most valuable? What are your technology must-haves? We’d love for you to join the discussion.