C.J. Driscoll & Associates has released a new multi-client market research study covering interest of U.S. fleet operators in Mobile Resource Management systems and services. The 2013-14 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services assesses fleet operator interest in GPS fleet management systems, driver behavior management systems, and solutions for managing mobile workers with GPS-equipped handsets or other portable devices. The study also assesses use and satisfaction with MRM solutions among large and small fleets in a wide range of categories.
The new 2013-14 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services was partially funded by 14 companies, including AT&T, DriveCam, Fleetmatics, GE Capital Fleet Services, GPS Insight, Michelin, Navman Wireless, Networkfleet/Verizon, NexTraq, Spireon, Teletrac, Telogis, TomTom Business Solutions, and Zonar Systems.
This comprehensive new study is based on a nationwide telephone survey of over 500 fleet operators. Survey participants were decision makers drawn from nearly all major fleet categories including service, local and long-haul common carriers, private delivery, utilities, construction, people transportation and government fleets. The sample included fleets ranging in size from 5 vehicles to over 10,000 vehicles.
Benefits of the Study
The study provides answers to a wide range of questions, including the following:
- How do fleet managers communicate with their drivers?
- Do fleet operators have policies in place to restrict driver use of cellular handsets while on the road?
- Are fleet operators familiar with specific suppliers of GPS fleet management, driver behavior management, and handset/portable MRM solutions?
- Which participating fleet operators are currently using a GPS fleet management, driver behavior management, or handset/portable MRM solution to monitor fleet vehicles, drivers, or mobile workers?
- What were the principal motivations for deploying an MRM solution?
- Which MRM system are they using and how did they select it?
- How satisfied are they with their MRM system and service?
- What are the principal benefits derived from the system? e.g. reduced fuel consumption, reduced overtime, fewer accidents
- What additional features or capabilities would they like to have incorporated in their solution?
- Have users of MRM solutions recouped their investment in these solutions, and, if so, how long did it take?
- Are they able to quantify the financial benefit their company derives from using an MRM solution?
- How interested are fleet operators in specific features and capabilities such as monitoring driver performance, fuel card integration, route optimization, systems to monitor and control cellular handset use, remote vehicle diagnostics, and others?
- How has adoption of MRM solutions and interest in specific features changed over the last six years, i.e. comparisons of relevant findings from the current study to the C.J. Driscoll 2007 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services?
- How important is it for fleet operators to be able to integrate MRM solutions with back-office software systems, such as dispatching, routing, and maintenance systems?
- With which specific solutions do fleets in particular categories want to integrate?
- Do fleet operators and enterprises feel they need the increased bandwidth of 3G and 4G wireless networks, or are their needs met by lower bandwidth networks?
- How would they use the increased bandwidth?
- Do operators of heavy trucks plan to deploy Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) prior to government mandate? Why, why not?
- Are participating fleets currently receiving an insurance discount for use of an MRM solution? If so, how much?
- Would they be willing to share driver performance data with their insurance company in exchange for a discount?
- What percentage of participating fleet operators expect to deploy an MRM service in the next 12-18 months?
- What criteria will they use in selecting a supplier?
- How do they obtain information about potential suppliers and what are the most important factors in their selection of a supplier?
- Do they currently favor a particular supplier?
- What percentage of participating fleet operators expect to deploy an MRM solution at any time in the foreseeable future?
- What percentage of fleet operators do not expect to deploy an MRM solution in the foreseeable future, and why not?
- How interested are fleet operators in solutions for monitoring trailers, containers, heavy equipment, or other assets?
Research Methodology
The methodology for the study was a telephone survey with 508 U.S. fleet operators from a broad cross-section of fleet categories. Quotas were established to assure participation by a sufficient number of large and small fleets, as well as fleets in specific categories.
All respondents were pre-screened to assure that they have primary or partial responsibility for decisions regarding the use of GPS fleet management or driver behavior systems for their fleets. One-fourth of the survey participants hold the title of Owner, Co-Owner, Chairman, President, or CEO. In addition, over 40% of the respondents are Fleet Managers or VP, Director or Manager of Operations.
The average length of this comprehensive survey was 39 minutes. Respondents were paid a $50 incentive to participate in the survey and were also provided with a summary report on the status and trends in the MRM market.
Detailed Report
The 200-page report of the research findings includes the following:
- Overview of the study, including objectives and methodology
- Executive summary of the key findings
- 184-page detailed analysis of the findings of the nationwide survey, including over 100 summary charts and tables and numerous verbatim responses to open-ended questions
The report is provided in the form of a PDF file. Printed copies of the report are optional.
Optional Excel Spreadsheet
Subscribers who purchase the 2013-14 Survey of Fleet Operator Interest in MRM Systems and Services report may also purchase the optional Excel spreadsheet, which lists all 508 survey participants by company name and title, as well as their responses to each survey question. The spreadsheet can be used to analyze responses based on fleet category, size, use of specific MRM systems, or many other criteria.