Fleets reap benefits of Fargo TOPS
Software provider Fargo Systems has explained how its TOPS fleet management module can support customers in their compliance efforts.
“Having well-maintained vehicles prevents unscheduled downtime, which can be costly and disruptive to service,” said Fargo Systems’ project director, Jim Slade (pictured, right).
“The information available to evidence that essential checks have been carried out to specific standards creates an auditable trail necessary for fleet compliance regulations.
“Understanding the regulatory requirements has enabled us to develop a fleet management module that offers a full suite of interfaces, systems and prompts to ensure every vehicle ticks all the compliance boxes and is operated at optimum efficiency levels.”
Key benefits of the system highlighted by Fargo include a secure and robust architecture protecting fleet maintenance schedules; a handheld device allowing drivers to submit timesheets, defects, expenses, fuel draws and receive operational instructions digitally; and the ability to record certifications, licences, expiry dates, hazards, CPC cards, endorsements, and ADR certificates, which can be validated against cargo movements.
Users include haulier ATL, whose fleet director Jamie Woodward said: “Quite possibly the biggest advocates of TOPS fleet management system, we use every aspect of the module. It mitigates a host of paperwork and enables us to offer a very slick paper-free service.
“The benefits that stood out to us and prompted our decision to implement the technology include its appointment management capabilities, the module’s ability to manage defects and how it manages our drivers seamlessly. From licence checks to payroll, holiday allowance, CPC cards and HGV checks.”
Another customer is Macintyre Transport. The company’s fleet engineer, Alan Collier, added: “Digitally managing our purchase order process, TOPS fleet management is fully integrated and allocates every PO directly to an asset. It brings control and compliance to our spend.”
Meanwhile Ross Mitchell, transport operations director at John Mitchell Haulage and Warehousing, commented: “Increasing our TOPS investment back in 2019 enabled us to go fully electronic with the goal being to achieve Earned Recognition operator status.
“Using TopsTMS innovative software gives us total visibility of our scheduling and maintenance records and demonstrates our compliance. TOPS automatically reports the fleet maintenance data to the specification the DVSA requires, helping us maintain our Earned Recognition standard.”
Jim Slade concluded: “Having gained a reputation for keeping Britain moving through the Covid years, and with demands on the movement of goods and warehousing showing no sign of abating, compliance must be considered one of a company’s most important KPIs.
“Collecting all the required data as a matter of course, the TOPS fleet management module is the logistics industry’s underestimated hero. We would urge customers who have not implemented it or are not using it to its full potential to revisit its capabilities or get in touch to learn more.”
