Fleet utilization metrics are the cornerstone of a new Ohio University-based initiative to increase vehicle sharing and dramatically reduce costs for the university. Nearly every facet of managing the 450-vehicle fleet is expected to be enhanced using the comprehensive Web-based fleet management information system, FleetCommander. The announcement was made today by FleetCommander creator Agile Access Control, Inc.

According to university officials, Ohio University (OU) is required by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to report on its fleet utilization in order to identify opportunities to save money. This initiative will streamline its fleet management operations and provide clear visibility of fleet costs. OU’s short-term goals for managing its fleet with FleetCommander are to:

• Automatically capture accurate fleet utilization data

• Present real-time utilization data in the form of fleet dashboards and reports to enable fleet managers and business analysts to understand vehicle use

• Automatically generate vehicle use charges and produce billing files bound for the university’s accounting systems

• Improve efficiency of its maintenance processes and control maintenance costs

“Through analyzing utilization statistics, we can efficiently grow our motor pool to better meet vehicle needs on campus while reducing fleet size simultaneously,” says Ron Ritchie, assistant director of transportation & parking. Ritchie says in the long run their goal is to streamline their motor pool management processes, increase overall efficiency of their fleet operations, encourage sharing of vehicles, and improve customer satisfaction.

In an effort to achieve their goals, OU will be equipping four university vehicles with Agile’s FleetShare keys-in-the-vehicle dispatch technology as well as collecting odometer values and other trip data with Agile’s Utilization and Diagnostic Chips (UDCs). The technologies reduce the occurrence of human error in the data collection process while providing data for reports instantaneously. No duplicate data entry is required.

Agile FleetShare facilitates car sharing by enabling drivers to access keys via a secure ID card scanned at the windshield. No fleet staff is needed to dispatch Agile FleetShare vehicles, and trip statistics are automatically collected. Fleet drivers reserve vehicles online at their convenience via FleetCommander. Agile FleetShare vehicles can be parked geographically where they are needed to further improve service to fleet drivers and encourage car sharing.

Agile’s UDC telematics device plugs into the vehicle’s OBD-II port and collects trip and odometer data automatically. In the near future, OU is also planning to use Agile’s secure key control systems to allow drivers to self-dispatch from the central motor pool.