Geotab launches tools to enhance fleet maintenance efficiency

Geotab has unveiled two new products aimed at improving vehicle maintenance efficiency for fleets.

The introduction of Work Order Management and Fault Code Enrichment to the Geotab Maintenance Centre is intended to address the challenges faced by fleet managers due to rising maintenance costs and unexpected breakdowns. The new tools are designed to help fleet managers reduce vehicle downtime and manage maintenance costs more effectively.

According to recent statistics, Australian fleet managers are increasingly focusing on improving operational efficiency and safety through vehicle maintenance, with 57% recognising the reduction of running costs as a primary objective in 2024, an increase from 42% in 2022. This trend has led to a heightened emphasis on regular vehicle maintenance and the use of predictive maintenance technologies.

Sabina Martin, Vice President of Product Management, commented on the new products: "Fleet maintenance is a major cost driver, and unexpected breakdowns can significantly impact operations. With the new solutions added to the Geotab Maintenance Center, we are equipping fleet managers with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions, reduce unplanned downtime, and optimise maintenance workflows." Martin also mentioned the potential benefits of Work Order Management and Fault Code Enrichment for fleets, stating: "We expect that Work Order Management and Fault Code Enrichment will help fleets move from reactive to predictive maintenance—improving efficiency, lowering costs, and keeping vehicles on the road."

The centerpiece of Geotab's Maintenance Centre is the new Work Order Management feature. This solution allows fleet managers to consolidate maintenance tasks into a centralised system within MyGeotab, moving away from manual record-keeping and disconnected systems. Through this digital workflow, maintenance scheduling, tracking, and reporting are streamlined to enhance operational efficiency. Essential benefits noted by Geotab include the centralised management of maintenance activities, conversion of maintenance requests into work orders, and leveraging predictive analytics to pre-empt vehicle failures.

The Fault Code Enrichment, powered by Noregon, offers fleets enhanced capabilities for fault data analysis. Sandeep Kar, Chief Strategy Officer at Noregon, explained, "Fleet managers need to distinguish between minor issues and those that could lead to a breakdown or compliance violation. Fault Code Enrichment provides a clear roadmap for when immediate action is necessary versus when an issue can be addressed during scheduled maintenance." This feature aims to prioritise high-impact faults for timely resolution, offering detailed insights into fault severity and recommended actions.

Noregon's expertise in diagnostics has been integrated into Geotab's platform to provide fleet managers with guided action plans based on fault severity and operational impact. This approach helps in reducing unnecessary visits to the workshop, focusing resources on issues that require immediate attention.

The Geotab Maintenance Centre is part of a broader suite of tools available to fleet managers, including the Geotab Sustainability Center and the Geotab Safety Center. Together, these platforms aim to optimise costs while improving safety and helping fleets to meet sustainability goals.