--- title: What Fleet Managers of yesterday can teach Fleet Managers of today description: How can fleet management bring back the best practices of managers from the past? image: https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/business-Aug-24-2021-08-38-33-29-PM.jpg --- [![AFS favicon](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/AFS%20favicon.png)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/) - [About us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/about-us) - [Solutions](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/solutions) - [Blog](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news) - [Contact us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/contact-us) - Countries - [Zambia](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/countries/zambia) [![twitter icon (1)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/twitter%20icon%20(1).svg)](https://twitter.com/avis_fleet) [![facebook icon (1)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/facebook%20icon%20(1).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/avisfleet1/) [![linkedin icon (1)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/linkedin%20icon%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/avis-fleet/?originalSubdomain=za) LOGIN Close menu LOGIN TO Fleet Interactive Dealer Authorisation Pulse Tracking Pulse Logbook GO - [About us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/about-us) - [Solutions](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/solutions) - [Blog](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news) - [Contact us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/contact-us) - Countries - [Zambia](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/countries/zambia) [Fleet Reporting](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/topic/fleet-reporting) # What Fleet Managers of yesterday can teach Fleet Managers of today [By Avis Fleet](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/author/avis-fleet) August 24, 2020 - - - Things have changed a lot over the last few years, and every part of our lives has been transformed by technology.   Our great-grandparents probably wouldn’t be able to identify most of the things that we take for granted in the modern world including cell phones, the internet and computers, and 360 degree cameras.     ![Board room meeting around reporting graphs](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/business-Aug-24-2021-08-38-33-29-PM.jpg)   ## Learning from the savvy fleet practices of the past The world of fleet management has changed. In the 1970s when many fleet companies were getting on their feet, orders were handwritten or typed with a typewriter, illegible copies were made with carbon film, correspondence took place via the post or clumsy looking telephones.   In some ways Fleet Managers were more savvy then than they are now. What can we learn from Fleet Managers from times gone by?   ### Know the product These days there is an emphasis placed on business management compared to old school managers who might have come up through the ranks and got to know their product first-hand.   Not to say it’s not useful for managers to have a business or accounting background, but a knowledge of the basics about vehicle systems such as ignition, electronics, cooling, etc. is also important for effective fleet management.   ### Know the business From buying and selling fleet vehicles, to knowing exactly what happens when an order goes through, how cars are priced, and the ins and outs of invoicing, knowing the intricacies of the business will help Fleet Managers to resolve problems when they arise.   Fleet Managers from the past were hands on about all aspects including procurement, advertising, maintenance, fleet lifecycle etc.   Being on top of every part of the business gives Fleet Managers insight and sets them in good stead to make contingency plans when challenges come up.   ### Know the numbers In the old days Fleet Managers would’ve needed to be more on top of manual accounting and financial processes and be directly involved in leasing vs. ownership, calculating lease rate factors, and so on.   Modern Fleet Management might not be required to perform these processes anymore, since this is mostly automated, but they still need to have an understanding of these processes so that they can make informed decisions pertaining to the business.   ## Old meets new Technology has changed the face of our industry but at its core our business remains the same.   Fleet Managers still want to provide a quality service and take the best care we can of our fleet to ensure that our customers and staff are happy, our cargo is well looked after and our businesses are as competitive as they can be.   One way of ensuring that you are on top of every detail of your business is by [using fleet reporting](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/solutions/fleet-reporting/).   Designed as a quick reference assistance product, with Fleet Reporting you can access information on every vehicle you have in your fleet including:   - Contract details - Vehicle inspection details - Fuel transactions - Full vehicle specifications Fleet management includes many different aspects, from keeping track of a driver's whereabouts to keeping fuel costs down, vehicle maintenance and, of course, road safety. Avis Fleet is a fleet management company with longstanding experience and expertise to help every fleet company optimise their business processes.   Find [more information about our fleet solutions including fleet reporting here](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/solutions/), or feel free to contact us directly with any questions that you might have regarding our services.   [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/483927/3ad1f786-00a8-4538-9d16-88b1cb681d9e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/483927/3ad1f786-00a8-4538-9d16-88b1cb681d9e) [Back](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/) -   -   -   [Back](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/) | [All posts](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/) ##### You might also like ![Fleet Telematics explained](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/Telematics.png) [Fleet Telematics explained](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/fleet-telematics-explained) August 24, 2020 ![Manage a commercial vehicle fleet effectively with technology](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Manage%20a%20commercial%20vehicle%20fleet%20effectively%20with%20technology.png) [Manage a commercial vehicle fleet effectively with technology](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/manage-a-commercial-vehicle-fleet-effectively-with-technology) August 24, 2020 ![The effects of the pandemic on transportation](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/Avis%20Blog%20Stock%20Images/The%20effects%20of%20the%20pandemic%20on%20transportation.jpg) [The effects of the pandemic on transportation](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news/the-effects-of-the-pandemic-on-transportation) August 24, 2020 [![twitter icon (1)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/twitter%20icon%20(1).svg)](https://twitter.com/avis_fleet) [![linkedin icon (1)](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/hubfs/linkedin%20icon%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/avis-fleet/?originalSubdomain=za) - Assist Numbers - [Driver Emergency 0800 540 740](tel:0800540740) - [Road Side Assistance 0800 117 686](tel:0800117686) - [Want to buy a car? 011 973 7300](tel:0119737300) - [Intelligent Fuel Bureau 031 466 2583](tel:0314662583) - [Accident Management 0800 033 002](tel:0800033002) - [Find out more 011 552 9000](tel:0115529000) - [About us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeda-southern-africa/jobs/) - [Solutions](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/solutions) - [Blog](https://blog.avisfleet.co.za/latest-news) - [Contact us](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/contact-us) - [Countries](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/countries/zambia) - [Service history](https://service-history.avisfleet.co.za/) Copyright 2026. [Avis Fleet Solutions](https://www.avisfleet.co.za/). 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