Operations control center: what it is and how to set one up

The operations control center is an operational structure that allows all information about fleet operation to be viewed in one place.

It is a modern solution emerging with the growth of logistics technologies. Although technologies greatly facilitate fleet management, there are various options and investment in integrating this software is also needed.

The OCC emerges to make this task easier. Learn more about:

What an operations control center is;
How an OCC works;
Why have one in the fleet;
How to structure your operations control center.

What is an operations control center?

An operations control center (OCC) is a structure within companies for keeping track of and managing all fleet activities. It contains all the necessary dashboards, screens and monitors, integrated with fleet control systems so all events can be viewed in real time.

The main aim of the OCC is to integrate information held in different software, ensuring no information is lost and enabling cross-referencing of data across different departments.

For example, greater accuracy and good results in tire management require access to vehicle maintenance service data. This helps explain some issues related to tire wear and fuel consumption.

This is when the operations control center becomes necessary and shows its usefulness, providing a broader view of fleet performance.

How does an OCC work?

The operations control center gathers and centralizes all fleet operating information, from planning to transport. The manager and supervisors should use this space to analyze data and make better-informed, more strategic decisions in their operations.

It works in real time, updating information being collected in the operation. It is possible to view vehicle details such as condition, status (parked, in the workshop or on a route), maintenance schedules and so on.

You can also monitor traffic conditions to create faster, more efficient routes or send real-time alerts to drivers already on the road.

Another area where the OCC contributes is understanding driver behavior and communicating with drivers. By analyzing routes and receiving vehicle driving data, it is possible to identify risky traffic behavior and contact them at that moment.

Why have an OCC in the fleet?

The idea behind the operations control center is similar to that of the logistics control tower: centralizing all fleet operating information. Its benefits are therefore quite similar too.

This means the OCC can:

Help optimize route planning in operations;
Reduce delivery delays;
Keep track of routes in real time;
Analyze fuel consumption for each vehicle and/or driver;
Assess issues and solutions to increase operational efficiency.

However, the main reason you should consider implementing an operations control center in your fleet is the need to be more strategic in your decisions. In other words, to achieve more of the proposed goals and objectives, using data-driven analytical management to support the actions taken.

How can you structure your operations control center?

1 – Choose the best method for your operation

The operations control center may be in-house or outsourced, and you should assess which makes more sense for your management. With outsourcing, you only need to worry about service quality and customer support.

On the other hand, when it is in-house, you should structure all OCC operating processes, define the people involved and implement systems you do not yet have in your management.

Also establish the communication protocols, workflows and performance indicators to be tracked. This will make it more practical to understand how to meet goals and monitor your OCC's success.

2 – Determine the professionals involved

If you are not the main person responsible for keeping track of data and identifying issues, determining who will be responsible for each function is a fundamental decision.

The main professionals to seek are operations coordinators, a data analyst and monitoring operators. Each professional's knowledge and experience make managing the OCC easier, and they may bring processes and new technologies that generate even more positive results.

The most important thing when selecting those responsible for the Operations Control Center is identifying who has technical knowledge, analytical ability and a problem-solving mindset.

3 – Apply the necessary technologies

Technologies are what make the operations control center exist and function, because they feed the information managed through overall system integration.

Options such as monitoring cameras, tracking and telemetry systems, vehicle sensors and an electronic checklist for maintenance, among others, should be used in your operation so you can manage your fleet more closely and efficiently.

4 – Adjust details in the operations control center structure

Matters such as the control center's location, necessary equipment and internet speed should also be considered in your planning. These details will make all the difference to your operation's speed and efficiency.

Explore Prolog's fleet solutions, which enable easy integration with your systems, and start setting up your OCC.

Frequently asked questions

What is an operations control center in fleet management?

It is the structure set up within the company to keep track of and manage all fleet activities in one place. It brings together dashboards, screens and monitors integrated with control systems, so operational events appear there, updated as data arrives. The central aim is to integrate information now spread across different software, without any being lost along the way.

What can you keep track of in an OCC?

OCC dashboards let you see vehicle condition, each vehicle’s status — parked, in the workshop or on a route — and maintenance schedules. You can also observe traffic conditions and use them to build faster routes, alert drivers already on the road and analyze fuel consumption per vehicle or driver.

Is it better to set up an in-house or outsourced OCC?

It depends on the operation — both forms exist and the choice is yours. With outsourcing, your concern comes down to the quality of the service provided and customer support. In-house, you need to structure operating processes, choose who will participate and implement the systems still missing, as well as establish communication protocols, workflows and the performance indicators to be tracked.

Which professionals work in an operations control center?

The profiles sought are the operations coordinator, data analyst and monitoring operator. Each person’s knowledge and experience make managing the OCC easier and may bring new processes and technologies. When choosing those responsible, the most important thing is to find people with technical expertise, analytical ability and a problem-solving mindset — and, if you are not the one keeping track of the data, define who will be.

Where should I start in structuring my fleet’s OCC?

The suggested path has four steps: choose between an in-house or outsourced model; determine which professionals are responsible for each function; apply the technologies that feed the center, such as cameras, vehicle sensors and an electronic checklist for maintenance; and adjust structural details such as the space’s location, internet speed and necessary equipment, which make a difference to day-to-day speed.

Search the blog