GE industry experts answer questions

Ask the Expert question: How do you see technology having an impact on managing my trailer fleet?

David Gsell, Product Sales Leader, answers: I see there being three key components to successful trailer fleet management: the right equipment, the right services, and the right technology.

The most obvious technology influence with trailer fleet management is the introduction of an asset tracking product. Adding a tracking solution is the first step toward really understanding your trailer fleet's activities - such as the location or trailer utilization. By taking advantage of special features like hook/drop notifications or idle asset reports you can then begin to see the true impact of technology on getting better efficiency in managing your assets.

But having this critical data is just the beginning of the story. The real power is the knowledge you are able to obtain from the critical data elements. Once you understand where your gaps are in your trailer utilization you are able to take that information to optimize your fleet's overall performance.

Another example would be our Maintenance Management solution. We've learned that the maintenance services we can provide across a fleet's various distribution points can prove to be an invaluable source when consolidated. Do you have a good idea of how much you spend on trailer maintenance from all your locations? The technology platform we utilize at our nationwide branch locations allows us to be able to capture and categorize maintenance data and offer analytics reporting. These analytics can help arm you with the right data to control your maintenance costs - boosting the profitability of your entire trailer fleet.

For both technology solutions - VeriWise Asset Intelligence and Maintenance Management - we provide services through our Premier Services web site to allow you to manage your individual account. VeriWise customers can use the web interface for many options such as making modifications to geo-fences, submitting requests for location of trailers, turning on or off of sensors, or running general reports. As a maintenance customer you can also use our Premier Services web site to review and approve repairs and view all historical data so you know what you have spent with just a few clicks.

From the right equipment and services to the right technology platforms - Trailer Fleet Services from GE is unmatched in providing solutions to satisfy each piece. When you work with us, you gain powerful fleet management tools to drive productivity and increase your bottom line.

To learn more, you can visit us at the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting Feb. 15-18 in Tampa, FL. I will personally be there to answer any questions.