Tag Archives for " Fleet Maintenance Software "

Update to TATEMS spreadsheet number 41

I updated spreadsheet number 41 called:

TATEMSWorkOrdersLabor-Parts-Misc-SalesTaxTotals-Displays-2013-2014

You can find this and over 70 other spreadsheets here:

 

The video above shows you how you can change the date range and filter the data in Excel.

This video above shows you how to link to your TATEMS data file, just in case your data is on a 64bit machine or on a network.

It also shows you how you can re-create the spreadsheet if you get an error trying to link it.

If you need me to change the videos from YouTube to our other video platform leave a comment below and I will.

 

3 Trucking Maintenance Tips

2

  1. Learn DOT Requirements: The Department of Transportation (DOT) provides truckers with truck maintenance guidelines for safe trucking. If you do not keep up with these guidelines, you risk hefty fines, so familiarize yourself with these regulations.
  2. Regular Tune Up: Small things may go wrong with your truck from time to time. Getting these problems fixed as they happen, rather than waiting things out, will prevent even bigger problems from occurring down the line.
  3. Clean: Simply cleaning your truck regularly prevents dust, grime, and rust build up, helping your truck function at its best.

 

Do you need help maintaining a fleet of trucks? Tatems offers truck and trailer equipment maintenance software to help you track when your trucks need tune-ups.

New Fuel log features we are working on for version 4.5.15

Last week I sent an email covering some of the new features we are working on.

So I shot a short 3 minute video showing you some new features in just the fuel log

for TATEMS Fleet Maintenance Software.

For example , the ability to track fuel by hours meter and the ability to track fuel purchases by State/Province

Will let you know when the new version of TATEMS is available (hopefully very soon!)

What do you think?

Please provide feedback or comment below .

Thanks Again

Marc Ready

Video of Top 9 Updates to TATEMS Version 4.5.04 released Nov 16 2013

Hi,

I just wanted to give you a quick video rundown of the top 9 updates out of about 24 updates released starting with version 4.5.00 through 4.5.04

Click here to watch a non-YouTube version of video

Here is the list that I go over in the video:

1)      Added Repair Codes Fields to Work Orders Labor and Parts Screens so that you can better categorize costs when multiple repair categories done in a single Work Order

2)      Added list of 15 Repair Codes and descriptions to Repair Codes List

3)      Added new report All Equipment Reports-Repair Codes Cost / Mile/km / Hour Report

4)      Added new report under Work Orders in More Reports called All Work Orders Repair Code Totals by Repair Code

5)      Added new report under Work Orders in More Report called: Work Orders Total Costs by Repair Code

6)      Added Dropdown List Maintenance choice for Repair Codes

7)      Added Work Orders List under forms menu to allow you to see all work orders in one sortable list that show you All or Completed or Non-Default Tax Rate work orders and be able to click to view/edit and work order in the list

8)      Added new Work Orders report under More Reports called: All Work Orders with non-default sales tax charged

9)      Added Edit button to Parts inventory screen to help prevent accidental overwriting of current parts in inventory and changed add button to prevent accidental scrolling to previous record

You can see all the updates here:

http://tatems.com/updates/updatelist.cfm

and I have added a new training video to the updates page where you can download the current update

http://tatems.com/updates.cfm

Thank you for your interest and please leave any comments below.

Marc Ready

Preventative Maintenance Is A Top Fleet Priority

Mechanic working on Tire

Preventative Maintenance -Top Fleet Priority

If you were to ask any fleet manager about their number one priority when it comes to fleet maintenance, many will tell you that PM or preventative maintenance tops the charts. A survey conducted by Arsenault Associates, Inc. shows that preventative maintenance is the main concern of trucking companies, at least those who are currently using fleet maintenance software for fleet maintenance.

“According to Arsenault, preventive maintenance (PM) scheduling is the main priority of trucking companies that use maintenance management software. It states that 36 percent of respondents conduct PM for expense management.”

The importance of preventative maintenance can simply not be overlooked. Studies show that less than 44 percent of fleets are currently using software programs that are specifically designed for fleet maintenance. Some do use software programs, but not those that are designed specifically for these tasks. Word, Excel and others can only offer so much. The only software that is capable of automating preventative maintenance scheduling are those that are designed specifically for this purpose.

“‘Trying to manage a fleet using less technology is like settling to ‘not lose too much money.’ In this troubled economic environment, that just won’t do,’ Arsenault commented.”

Organizations should focus on the big picture. Choosing a fleet management software program that meets the companies’ needs will allow managers to ensure smoother operations. One of the key areas where these programs can help is with cost. Companies that choose a preventative maintenance program may spend a bit more on maintenance but they will come out on the better end in the long run.

Many companies feel that maintenance may get in the way of their operation. Some may feel that lost sales or delivery schedules could cause a profit decrease. Others may argue that they will lose sales to their competitors if they cannot meet their specific delivery schedules. Of course, the cost for towing in vehicles that are broken down or paying fines related to maintenance issues could cost much more in the long run than these minor interruptions. Not maintaining vehicles could mean paying hefty tow bills when those vehicles do break down. This is a particular concern for companies with larger trucks in their fleet.

“‘With a car fleet, you can easily go out and rent a car,’ he said. ‘With a work truck, you can’t necessarily run out and rent another truck. You’ve got inventory, tools, and the upfit. It knocks the vehicle out of service.'”

So what exactly is a fleet manager to do? Many experts recommend a strategic program for fleet maintenance. Ensuring that preventative maintenance is done and is done regularly will help to lower the costs associated with broken down vehicles and those associated with fines. Software programs that are designed to help with preventative maintenance schedules can be purchased from a number of companies and they offer varying benefits.

The best rule of thumb is for fleet managers to spend some time getting acquainted with these programs and choosing one that will meet the operation’s specific needs. While there are a number of programs available, not all are alike so managers will need to spend time learning more about the software and how it works.

Preventative maintenance is of course, only one consideration when it comes to a fleet but it is an important one. Most fleet managers will say that they are more concerned about PM than they are about cost, alternative fuel sources and many other issues facing fleets today. Fleet maintenance software programs are designed to help ease the mind of managers when it comes to routine maintenance and keeping their fleet on the road.

Update Video shows Auto Entry of Lower Interval Lube Service-Preventive Maintenance in TATEMS version 4.4.04

This new ability to automatically enter lower interval Lube/services that I posted about a number of months ago is now a reality in TATEMS version 4.4.04

In the video below I show you how to use the feature when it asks if you want to enter a lower interval Lube/service (PM) and also how you can have it automatically enter them without asking.

Enjoy and share if your inclined to.

To recap what’s in the video.

Say you have a lube/service that needs to be done every 7500 miles and you also have one that needs to be done every 15000 miles.

If you have previously completed the 7500 mile one and then later add the 15000 mile one you will see a popup asking if you want to also add the 7500 mile one at the same time. If you say yes then the 7500 mile one will be entered with text in the notes section saying “Completed during 15000 mile Lube/Service”

You also have the option to have the system always enter those lower interval Lube/Services without asking.

I hope this is helpful for you.

Thanks Again

Marc Ready

P.S. If you have trouble viewing the video above I have included the YouTube version below.

Work Orders Parts and Labor update

We released a new version 4.4.04b of TATEMS on June 19th 2013.

We have released several new versions over the past couple of months starting with version 4.4.03 released on May 3rd 2013.

In the 2 minute video below I show you how we have updated the Parts and Labor screens so that you will see what data you missed if you did not fill everything in.

Just In case you can’t see the video here is a description:

While you have the Work Orders screen open you click on the Labor Completed Tab

Work Order Labor Completed tab and Click here to add Labor button Work Order Labor Completed tab and Click here to add Labor button

Work Order Labor Completed tab and Click here to add Labor button

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then click the dropdown to choose an employee without entering a number of units (hours) or a descriptionAdding Work Order Labor without adding hours and description screenshot

Adding Work Order Labor without adding hours and description

 

Then click on either the Add Labor to Work Order button or the Save and Close button and you will see a message telling you what data is missing,

Work Order Labor completed pop up message telling you what info is missing screen shot

Work Order Labor completed pop up message telling you what info is missing

If you click OK you will be able to go back and correct the entry, if you click cancel after clicking on the Add Labor you will be taken back to the Labor for Current Work Order Screen with and the data you previously entered will still be there.  If you click cancel after clicking Add Labor To Work Order you will be brought back to the Labor for Current Work Order Screen but all your data will be removed and you can start over.

If you click OK after you click the Save & Close button then you will likewise be brought back to the Labor for Current Work Order screen to correct your mistake. But if you click the Cancel button after clicking Save & Close the data will not be saved and the Labor For Current Work Order screen will simply close.

I hope this feature is helpful for you.

All The Best!

Marc Ready

PS. If you are blocked from YouTube you can view the video below

Fuel Log Report Criteria Update

This video showing you the new Fuel Log Report Criteria is the first in a series of videos I’ll be creating to show you the updates in TATEMS version 4.4.03b

Actually if you have version 4.4.03 then you have 23 of the 25 updates in the list at:

http://tatems.com/updates/updatelist.cfm

In short a video below I show you update number 25 from that list:

“Added Customer, Location and Dept/Area criteria most fuel log reports”

This update number will change and get pushed down in the future as new versions are released.

So in case you have trouble seeing the video, when you go to Reports->More Reports->Report Type:Fuel Log  you now have 3 new criteria you can use to narrow down the equipment you are viewing in most of the fuel log reports.  The 3 new criteria are Customer, Dept/Area and Location.  Location is not included in the last report on the list. If this is a must have then please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks Again

Marc Ready