Commentary: The Shift from Fleet Management to Mobility Management

Today’s digital economy impacts how people, goods, and services move throughout the marketplace. From app-based, ride-share companies to connected data and analytics, transportation is entering a new era and changing the role of traditional fleet managers.

We’re seeing a shift from fleet management to mobility management. How can businesses adapt and employ new tools to drive efficiency? Here are a few strategies that logistics organizations need to keep in mind as they embrace the rise of mobility.

  • Go beyond the traditional fleet. At its core, fleet management is about moving products, services, assets, and people to where they need to be. In the end, as long as we’re on time, within budget, and deliver our assets safely, it doesn’t matter how we accomplish this. From employees using a ride-share application to using drones as a delivery service, the age of mobility is about much more than the vehicle. In order for businesses to succeed, it is critical to expand the definition of mobility to understand how these disruptors will affect their operations.


  • Embrace data and analytics. The role of data and analytics is expanding and increasing visibility to cost and productivity levers within organizations. The ability to synthesize data from a variety of sources creates an opportunity to create actionable insights previously unavailable. Companies are now pulling information from fleet management systems and asset management systems to help them better understand their needs, create efficiencies, and even help predict future trends.
  • Demonstrate change leadership. As these shifts occur, roles will begin to change within the organization. It’s important to brush up on change management principles to make these transitions as smooth as possible. For instance, making a move from fleet vehicles to using car- or ride-sharing apps for short-distance transportation would impact multiple departments across an organization – from accounts payable to HR. It’s key to ensure proper buy-in and communications accompany this type of change. From human resources to sales and marketing, mobility management creates the need for broad engagement and communications with stakeholders throughout the company, with employees and with potential business partners.

In the era of mobility management, technology is creating opportunities for businesses to drive greater value for their employees and customers. To realize these benefits, organizations need to envision ways to incorporate inputs from non-traditional vehicles and how data helps them plan for change internally and externally in a complex economy. Is your organization prepared?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *