What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors

Fleet Managers Hackathon

What if you could sit down with a group of veteran fleet managers and ask them for their best operational shortcuts, lessons learned, and technology strategies? Recorded live at the Fleet Forward Conference, this episode delivers exactly that. Fleet leaders from government, commercial, rental, and nonprofit organizations share practical insights on AI, telematics, fleet utilization, vehicle replacement planning, EV charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, and procurement strategies. Along the way, they discuss common mistakes, unexpected challenges, and the small changes that can make a big impact on fleet performance. Topics include: • Using AI to save time and improve decision-making • Telematics strategies that improve utilization and reduce downtime • EV charging lessons learned and infrastructure planning • Vehicle replacement metrics that actually matter • RFP and procurement shortcuts • Predictive maintenance and data-driven fleet management If you're looking for actionable ideas to improve fleet operations, increase efficiency, and stay ahead of emerging trends, this episode is full of practical takeaways from professionals who are doing the work every day. Is your fleet ready for what’s next? Register for the NextGen Fleet Road Show, presented by AT&T and Geotab.  We’re bringing live demos and expert consultations to a city near you.   Register today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nextgenfleet.events/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nextgenfleet.events/podcast] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠att.com/fleetmanagement ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.business.att.com/products/iot-fleet-management.html?source=EBBZ0000000000aBU&wtExtndSource=vanfleetmanage&LNS=VN_IT_FM_FleetManage_0519]

What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors

In this episode of Fleet Forward Podcast, industry fleet leaders get candid about what actually makes a vendor relationship succeed — and what guarantees it will fail. From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day. Recorded live at the Fleet Forward Conference, host Chris Brown sits down with Mark Booker of Nashville Electric Service, Kimberly Fisher of NOV, and Jim Petrillo of Fujifilm to discuss the importance of communication, accountability, long-term partnerships, and why trust matters more than flashy sales pitches. The panel also dives into: * Why customer service can make or break vendor relationships * The hidden operational costs of poor communication * Managing new technology adoption across large fleets * How fleet managers evaluate ROI beyond price alone * What vendors consistently misunderstand about fleet operations * The growing need for succession planning and industry knowledge transfer * Real-world perspectives on EV charging challenges, telematics, and fleet tech implementation Whether you're a fleet manager, supplier, OEM, or technology provider, this episode offers practical insight into the expectations, frustrations, and priorities shaping modern fleet operations. 🎧 Listen now to hear what fleet leaders are really looking for in their vendor partnerships — and the conversations the industry needs to be having next. Is your fleet ready for what’s next? Register for the NextGen Fleet Road Show, presented by AT&T and Geotab.  We’re bringing live demos and expert consultations to a city near you.   Register today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nextgenfleet.events/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nextgenfleet.events/podcast] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠att.com/fleetmanagement ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.business.att.com/products/iot-fleet-management.html?source=EBBZ0000000000aBU&wtExtndSource=vanfleetmanage&LNS=VN_IT_FM_FleetManage_0519]

Fleet Safety Masterclass: Industry Leaders on Storytelling, Strategy & Innovation

In this special Fleet Forward Podcast masterclass, industry leaders break down what it really takes to build safer fleets in today’s increasingly distracted and data-driven world. From telematics and connected vehicle insights to the emotional power of storytelling, this episode explores how safety culture is created — and why data alone isn’t enough. You’ll hear real-world insights on: * How telematics and connected vehicle data can reduce collisions * Why many fleets still aren’t using the safety data they already have * The connection between distracted driving, congestion, driver behavior, and crash trends * How storytelling and emotional connection can drive lasting behavior change * The future of fleet safety technology, EV trends, driver monitoring, and risk management Featuring powerful perspectives from fleet safety, mobility, and analytics leaders, this episode blends strategy, innovation, human impact, and practical takeaways for fleet professionals, operations leaders, safety managers, and anyone responsible for drivers on the road. If you care about fleet operations, connected vehicles, telematics, driver safety, risk reduction, or the future of mobility, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Is your fleet ready for what’s next? Register for the NextGen Fleet Road Show, presented by AT&T and Geotab.  We’re bringing live demos and expert consultations to a city near you.   Register today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nextgenfleet.events/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nextgenfleet.events/podcast] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠att.com/fleetmanagement ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.business.att.com/products/iot-fleet-management.html?source=EBBZ0000000000aBU&wtExtndSource=vanfleetmanage&LNS=VN_IT_FM_FleetManage_0519]

From Silos to Solutions: Relationship Management for Safer Fleets

What actually happens after a fleet experiences a multi-million dollar accident?  In this episode of Fleet Forward Podcast, leaders from NOV and Element Fleet Management share the real-world conversations, policy changes, and cross-department challenges that happen when safety, liability, operations, HR, legal, and leadership all collide.  From telematics adoption and driver accountability to policy consistency and risk mitigation, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a safer fleet culture without slowing business down.  You’ll hear:  * How one $3 million claim triggered major internal policy discussions  * Why fleet safety can’t live in a silo  * The biggest mistakes companies make when rolling out safety initiatives  * How leading fleets use data and telematics to improve accountability  * Why consistency matters more than “perfect” policies  * How to get organizational buy-in from HR, legal, finance, operations, and leadership  * Practical advice for fleet managers trying to drive cultural change  Whether you manage a few vehicles or thousands, this conversation offers actionable insights on reducing risk, improving communication, and creating long-term safety strategies that actually work.  Subscribe to Fleet Forward Podcast for more conversations on fleet technology, operations, leadership, and the future of mobility.  Is your fleet ready for what’s next? Register for the NextGen Fleet Road Show, presented by AT&T and Geotab.  We’re bringing live demos and expert consultations to a city near you.   Register today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nextgenfleet.events/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nextgenfleet.events/podcast] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠att.com/fleetmanagement ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.business.att.com/products/iot-fleet-management.html?source=EBBZ0000000000aBU&wtExtndSource=vanfleetmanage&LNS=VN_IT_FM_FleetManage_0519]

Integrating Legacy Fleet Systems and Historical Data

What does it really take to integrate legacy fleet systems—and turn messy data into real business value? In this episode, we bring together fleet and technology leaders to unpack the realities of data integration, system migrations, and the evolving role of AI in fleet management. Drake Bauer (CEO & Co-Founder, Proaction), Diana Holland (Founder, Cavis), Jennifer VrMeer (BD), and Ernie Garcia (Gothic Landscape) share firsthand lessons from the field—from managing thousands of assets to navigating mergers, legacy systems, and complex data environments. You’ll learn: * Why clean, connected data is the foundation of modern fleet operations * How to approach system integrations without getting lost in technical complexity * Common pitfalls in data migration—and how to avoid them * Real-world wins: cost savings, efficiency gains, and smarter decision-making * The growing impact of AI, automation, and predictive analytics in fleet Whether you’re modernizing your tech stack, preparing for a migration, or simply trying to make better use of your data, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply right away. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to move from “data overload” to actionable intelligence—and future-proof your fleet operations. Is your fleet ready for what’s next? Register for the NextGen Fleet Road Show, presented by AT&T and Geotab.  We’re bringing live demos and expert consultations to a city near you.   Register today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nextgenfleet.events/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nextgenfleet.events/podcast] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠att.com/fleetmanagement ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.business.att.com/products/iot-fleet-management.html?source=EBBZ0000000000aBU&wtExtndSource=vanfleetmanage&LNS=VN_IT_FM_FleetManage_0519]