Time is money. Don’t waste either with the wrong fuel dispatch software
A fuel dispatch software can either help optimize your business operations or it can make them more chaotic with complex interfaces, long implementation cycles, and half-baked features.
So, how can you tell which of the many software options out there will do the trick for your business?
We’ve spoken to A LOT of fuel marketers. Being ex-fuel distributors ourselves, we’ve even evaluated multiple dispatch solutions when we were running a fuel distribution business back in the day. With all that experience, we’ve put together some non-negotiables of a fuel dispatch software:
Flexibility and Customization
Every business has unique needs, and not every fuel dispatch software can cater to it. Most of the solutions out there offer a one-size-fits-all approach and you might not be able to customize it based on what you need. You end up being limited by what their software can do for you. And that’s a red flag.
You need to look for a partner who can custom-build modules and features for your business, and can scale with your business as you grow.
Quick and hassle-free implementation
You shouldn’t have to wait for months or years to get your operations up and running on the dispatch software. Unfortunately, that happens to be the case with most of the legacy software available on the market.
You need to have clearly defined timelines and structured processes for implementation. Plus, there’s no point getting software if your team finds it difficult to use, so look for a platform that’s easy to use, adapt, and get new hires trained on. Quick implementation and intuitiveness should be a priority.
Prompt customer support
Support should go beyond just sales. For business-critical software like a dispatch system, you must make sure that your vendor offers customer support whenever and wherever you need it.
Integration with your existing systems
There’s no better way to get the most out of your tech stack than getting every existing tool talking to each other. If you want to automate busywork, reduce manual data entry, and stop switching between tools, your dispatch software must integrate with tools you use every day. At the very least, the vendor should be able to build out custom integrations for you.
Product growth
The fuel marketing space is evolving at a fast pace. To keep up with industry trends, you need to have a software solution that can help you stay ahead of the curve. That essentially means you need to look out for things like: How often are new features released? How quickly are bugs fixed and existing features improved?
Know the company’s direction
Find out if the software is just another “acquired product” of a legacy software provider or if it is an independent company. The problem with acquired companies is that the focus keeps changing based on the acquiring company’s strategy; for instance, the acquired product may be sunsetted or put in maintenance mode, and the company’s focus is no longer on the needs of fuel distributors specifically. You definitely don’t want to be stuck with such software.
Understand the “true cost of ownership”
You need to look beyond just the initial purchase cost. Identify the potential costs that you might incur, like implementation, support, feature upgrades, additional hardware, etc. Often these costs are not disclosed upfront, and you end up paying much more than what you expected.
Basically, choosing the right dispatch software is a business-critical decision. You need a vendor who isn’t just selling you software but is committed to being a long-term partner, someone who truly understands your business and aligns with your vision. By considering each of the above can’t-miss aspects of fuel dispatch software selection, you’ll be sure to find the right software for your business.
Pavan Maheshwari
(607) 523-4103 – Nikhil Patel