"As Mapon's local partner, we regularly share insights and best practices from their international expertise. This article is based on their original publication and adapted for our market."
Fleet management: an extra pair of eyes on the road
The Ukrainian company Avers has been in the field of logistics and various automotive services for more than 30 years. Since 2012, Avers has been using the Mapon fleet management system - making the company one of the first partners to distribute our fleet management software in Ukraine and Poland.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Avers continued to work even in wartime. The cooperation with Mapon also endured - thanks to Avers, our company is still well represented in the Ukrainian transportation market. We spoke with Sviatoslav Korostelov, the head of Avers, to discuss what it is like to do business under wartime conditions and why companies need fleet monitoring solutions.
Transportation in wartime
How Avers implemented fleet monitoring
Avers operates in the field of transportation services, logistics and sales of various automotive products. Currently, the company fleet consists of about 15 vehicles used for delivering freight. The company now focuses mainly on providing various transportation services to other companies.
Founded in 1993, Avers has been working closely with the Baltic region for many years, with several companies, including those from Latvia. This is how Avers came into contact with Mapon - Sviatoslav recalls that Mapon had once been recommended to him by another customer who was using the software. At the time, it was not immediately clear that Mapon's solutions could be used to build a partner business - but over time, the value of fleet management for all kinds of businesses became clear.
"I thought it was a cool idea to be able to monitor a fleet of vehicles. It's important for me to have access to information. Sensors for heating and electricity use are great things.
I think it's wrong to run water as much as you want, light bulbs burning nonstop. And I know there are many people like me - people who value investment, who play by the rules. Mapon's solutions allow people like me to live and work peacefully."
Fleet monitoring brings peace of mind, not just savings
Sviatoslav notes that the great advantage of Mapon is that anyone can find how to use it to meet their needs. Solutions and integrations can be tailored to the specifics of a particular company and fleet. For example, companies working with truck transport should link their accounting to Mapon to quickly calculate drivers' salaries based on hours worked.
Another important aspect is monitoring fuel consumption. For trucks, one refueling can cost several thousand euros, and if a fleet has 20 vehicles and each vehicle is emptied, the losses can be enormous.
Sviatoslav emphasizes that while saving money is a major plus, the main benefit of Mapon for him lies elsewhere.
"At the end of the day, when you look at the monitor and see that all the cars are marked red, it gives me peace of mind because it means that all my vehicles are in the parking lot. For example, we have a rule that all vehicles must be parked after 9 p.m.
Before Mapon was there, we took someone's word for it. Or we would call and ask the driver where he was. But sometimes the driver just didn't answer the phone. And in the morning he said everything was fine. Then the accountant had to find all these violations by the mile, it was all very difficult. Once we connected our fleet to the Mapon platform, I finally realized that everything was under control and felt at peace."
I am committed to taking good care of my property, my business assets
At Avers, line managers use Mapon's solutions and all drivers are informed that the company has monitoring systems. Here's what Sviatoslav says about the initial teething problems of adaptation.
"Of course there were some problems in the beginning. We all wanted to do different things at the same time, even during working hours. For example, I remember the surprise when I showed someone that he was driving to the office yesterday and suddenly drove off 15 km to the right, then 30 km to the left and then stopped for another half hour. Then explanations followed, people said they had a relative living here, another there, and they had to pick something up. After that, of course, workers remember this experience and realize that we pay attention to our property and are willing to do it again and again."
How do you find a car in an emergency?
When war broke out in Ukraine, Avers had to immediately adapt and figure out how to save the 200 vehicles currently associated with the company. Mapon's reliable GPS fleet tracking systems allowed them to find abandoned and stolen vehicles, including expensive farm machinery, harvesters worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and even ambulances.
Mapon helps fight car thefts
In Ukraine, Avers continues to work with many cab companies, and one unusual way cab companies are using Mapon's solutions is to combat car theft.
When the Mapon app alerts drivers that their car is driving away, they grab the second key and follow the stolen car. Then they wait for the thief to stop, go to the restroom or store, unlock the car with the second key and drive away. Because confronting the criminal can be risky, drivers find their vehicles thanks to Mapon and simply take them back.
Monitoring costs correlate with risk of loss
According to Sviatoslav, people often do not want to pay a relatively small amount to monitor a vehicle, but are willing to pay even more for a subscription to a soccer channel or some other minor purchase. That said, a truck can cost €100,000 and carry a million worth of goods - from this perspective, spending on reliable monitoring is more than justified.
Sviatoslav concludes our conversation with the words:
"I follow the 'better safe than sorry' principle. The company equips its employees with cars to use during working hours. They know that if they use this car on weekends to do their work and this was not agreed upon in advance, questions will be asked on Monday. And this possibility of control gives me peace of mind - and that is much more valuable than money."
Need advice on making your fleet safer? Contact our team and we will find the best fleet management solutions to protect your people and your business! Call us at +32 3 289 55 35 or fill out the form below and we'll contact you as soon as possible!
