How the auto sector can drive productivity and benefit federal agencies and residents

• By Robert A. Johnson | President Sedgwick Government Solutions, LLC

In a time in which optimizing a fleet’s abilities to support supply chain operations, delivery of hard goods, and maximizing productivity is more important than ever, the combination of adhering to best practices and understanding the role that your claims management partner can play will be key. This strategy will result in outcomes that see more efficient federal agencies with more desirable outcomes for taxpayers and the quality of goods improved.

This overarching strategy can be broken down into specific areas of emphasis. Understanding best practices in fleet management, as outlined by the General Services Administration (GSA), is crucial. In tandem with this, federal agencies and public entities should work with their government claims partner to ensure that auto appraisals, claims administration, and direct repair program networks are aligned with their goals, equipped to respond quickly, and that the experience is seamless. It’s imperative that federal agencies continue to develop and build trust among taxpayers, and keeping supply chains running via fleet management as part of a well-run auto sector is one of the best tools they have at their disposal.

Sedgwick Government Solutions is the leading expert in this space and below can be found more details on how our team’s leadership can maximize performance by agencies and entities.

Best Practices for Fleet Management

While each federal agency and public entities’ fleet will have different routes, goods to deliver, and team size, aligning with best practices as described by the GSA should be the foundation of any operation. A significant part of this foundation is understanding how a holistic approach to smart fleet management can drive success in all areas of operations. Effective management requires coordination between people, processes, and technology.

To optimize the performance of workers, federal agency leaders should be focused on smart staffing procedures that match the workload. Understaffing can lead to overworked employees, and overstaffing can lead to unnecessary taxpayer dollars allocated to these agencies. Training should be robust; employees and leadership should be knowledgeable about higher-level policy and local procedures, and have proficiency with Fleet Management Information Systems (FMIS). Finally, the bedrock of all federal agencies, organizations, and companies around the country is a well-developed work environment with a culture of learning. Providing encouragement for workers to secure certifications, learn new skills, grow in the agency, and more, can all lead to a higher-quality workforce, and in turn, higher-quality supply chain operations and delivery that meet the needs of taxpayers around the country.

A well-defined process can lead to improved fleet performance, reduction in costs and fuel consumption, and vehicle safety for drivers. The ability to have these processes in place is contingent upon strong federal agency and public entity leadership that relies on data, analytics and detailed fleet records to inform smart decision-making. These records can support in managing needed repairs, and spotting problems with fleet vehicles before they become much larger issues that disrupt operations. Sedgwick’s repair network—more on this later—is critical to a fleet’s success in this regard. Other tips for agencies include having robust reporting capabilities with monthly vehicle reports, quarterly reviews and audits, and more.

Finally, the role technology plays in these operations has never been more important. New tech mandates around FMIS, FAST Reporting, telematics, EVSE infrastructure, and risk management specifically with a focus on texting while driving, remain critical items that agency leadership should stay up to date on.

End-to-End Auto Solutions

The role that a partner like Sedgwick Government Solutions (SGS) plays in supporting agencies and public entities in navigating the unexpected when it comes to fleet management continues to grow in size. Having a trusted partner who will guide you through adherence to best practices and regulatory updates, streamlining processes, and leveraging the latest technology safely is critical to success.

SGS provides end-to-end auto solutions offering first- and third-party auto liability claims management, loss adjusting and program administration, as well as comprehensive appraisal services for personal auto and commercial fleets, along with heavy equipment. These services, coupled with significant expertise across auto, trucking, and transportation, provides agencies with a full range of customizable services to support with any damages and losses. If an agency has up-to-date practices and a well-trained staff, the introduction of an experienced auto solutions team and digital support can be the difference between minimizing damages and losses, and not. A crucial aspect of these services is Sedgwick’s direct repair program and network, which connects agencies and entities with high-quality auto repair facilities coast to coast. This returns fleet trucks to the road quicker, keeps employees working, and maximizes productivity for the workforce and taxpayers.

In sum, a comprehensive strategy for management at the federal and public level requires a disciplined approach to the operators of the fleet, the process that underlines all that they do, the technology that optimizes their performance, and a claims solution partner that addresses damages and keeps trucks and automobiles on the road and working well.