Mercury Associates Help Fleet Management Consulting Industry Face Future

Rockville, MD (September 5, 2018) — Mercury Associates, Inc., the largest dedicated fleet management consultancy in North America, announced today the release of a new ebook, which addresses three challenges currently facing the fleet industry that are combining to create a “perfect storm.” The ebook focuses on the gathering forces – the automotive technology “whirlwind,” the information technology “tsunami” and the human resources “fog,” and addresses how fleet managers and fleet owners can best prepare to survive the storm.

“Fleet management is likely to be more tumultuous in the next decade than it has been in the last five,” explains Paul Lauria, President of Mercury Associates. “Taking shelter will require fleet owners to rethink and update traditional approaches to fleet management. Even in industries that have not traditionally paid much attention to the soundness or cost effectiveness of their fleet management practices, these changes are going to require organizations to devote considerable time and attention to these practices.”

Mercury has a long history of providing consulting, information technology, and professional development services to public and private-sector fleet operations. Mercury’s clients include federal, state and local government agencies, utility companies, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, transportation services companies, transit authorities, school districts, and colleges and universities.

The automotive technology challenges mentioned in the ebook refer to the increasing complexity, variety, and costs of technology associated with alternative fuels, electrification, autonomous vehicles, and now, under the Trump administration, potential changes in vehicle emissions and other regulations.

The information technology challenges refer to the increasing capabilities, complexity, and potential applications of IT solutions such as telematics, mobile apps, and the “big data” phenomenon, that many organizations are struggling to make sense of and avoid capsizing.

Finally, the human resources challenges highlighted in the ebook pertain to workforce management challenges and include a shortage of new talent entering the fleet maintenance profession, and a loss of institutional knowledge in fleet asset management due to retirement of baby boom generation professionals.

“Over the years at Mercury we have had the opportunity to advise many forward- thinking fleet owners across a broad spectrum of industries,” added Lauria. “With our guidance, these organizations have increased the soundness of their transportation and fleet management practices and are well prepared for the challenging times ahead.

“We recognize that the current economic boom times many organizations have been enjoying won’t last forever, and that now is the time to implement sound fleet management business processes and leverage new technologies. Management’s appetite for strategic improvements largely disappears once a downturn comes and everyone’s focus turns to surviving the next fiscal year – or quarter! Those who have made such investments are in position to weather forthcoming economic storms more easily.”

Mercury’s ebook will help readers better understand both the technology and human resources-related storm fronts bearing down on fleet owners, and the fundamental challenges that make the fleet industry inherently complex, such as the multifaceted and interrelated components of Asset and Enterprise Management. Readers will also learn about gauging the maturity of their fleet management business practices and their level of preparedness for the looming storm. Click here to download the free ebook.