Unexpected events that change an existing paradigm are often referred to as “black swans.” In fleet management, there are three potential black swans to keep an eye on. One is the rise of 3D printing. The idea is that additive manufacturing (which is what 3D printing does) would permit businesses and consumers to download and print many items that are currently shipped. Remote diagnostics is a second possible black swan. Potentially, this could allow devices, vehicles and appliances to be serviced through remote downloads rather than technician visits. A third game changer could be virtual meetings which, if they replace face-to-face meeting, would reduce the need for company sales vehicles.
Key Takeaways:
- When an event does something unexpected like changing the existing paradigm like the oil embargo of the 1970s, it is called a black swan event.
- Fleet management had a complete revolutionary approach in recent times when the Internet emerged and was used by fleets for management.
- 3D printing is a method of printing whereby the images to be printed are layered down, layer by layer, in a 3-dimensional way.
“Below are three future Black Swan events that have the potential to turn today’s fleet management paradigm upside down.”