The cost of operating a fleet of service vehicles is a significant variable in the financial performance of any business. Fuel costs are one of the largest expenses for organisations relying on transportation such as field service teams. The cost of fuel can fluctuate significantly over time as we are seeing with current fuel price increases, anything that can be done to reduce consumption will have a significant impact on costs. Reducing your business’ fuel consumption can be the difference between staying afloat or sinking in uncertain times.
Reduce fuel consumption with AR-based remote visual support
AR-based remote visual support is used by field service teams to provide customers remote assistance services in order to resolve issues without the need to consume fuel. Technicians can assist customers from anywhere using an internet connection such as at home or in the office.
Remote fixes reduce engineer callouts
Augmented reality-based remote visual support is one of the best and easiest ways for field service teams to reduce the number of engineer callouts required to resolve customer issues. Engineers having to drive from location to location in order to support customers increase their fuel consumption. Especially when the chance for traffic delays can occur potentially turning a short 2-mile drive into an hour-long journey. AR-based remote visual support allows technicians to fix customer faults remotely which can greatly reduce engineer callouts.
AIRe Link customers are already saving money, cutting carbon emissions, saving time and making customers happier with faster response times. This example journey of 242 kilometers was eliminated thanks to remote visual support saving engineers almost 3 hours of travel time, the risk of traffic and 45kg in CO2 emissions.

Remote diagnoses saves on necessary trips
Although AR-based remote visual support can increase the chance a remote fix is provided. Not all issues can be resolved remotely, therefore require a necessary on-site engineer visit. For these situations, remote assistance can still be utilized to reduce fuel consumption by saving on necessary trips. Prior to the engineer’s call out, a remote technician should connect with the customer to visually assess the situation and diagnoses the problem present.
Engineers should be made aware of present problems so they can bring the tools and spare parts required to complete the job on the first visit. This approach reduces the risk engineers arrive on-site to find out a spare part needs to be ordered or the wrong tools brought. Ultimately increasing total trips and fuel consumption!
Why field service teams should reduce fuel consumption
Oil and fuel consumption is one of the most pressing issues of today, with the increased demand for renewable energy and eco-friendly policies, field service teams should play their part to help our planet.
Government policy
Governments across the globe are being met with increased pressure from the public to act on the current climate crisis, which has already been met with policy implementations. Many regions are implementing policies to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 such as the EU. Businesses should expect additional government policies to be implemented to increase the cost of carbon-based products such as fuel. The EU is already planning by 2026, to introduce tariffs on carbon emissions. It’s best to get ahead of the curve and go green before more policy is implemented increasing operational costs.
Reduces costs
Field service teams should look for avenues to reduce operational costs so profit margins can be improved. For example, the printer company Konica Minolta, operates a field service team who implemented AR-based remote visual support AIRe Link. As a result, reduced their operating costs and fuel consumption. The average engineer callout cost 42 euros in total including fuel. AIRe Link was responsible for 6317 customer issues being resolved remotely resulting in a 265,314 euro saving from reduced engineer callout costs. Zjistěte více.
Attract more customers with green business practices
Businesses implementing strategies to reduce fuel consumption can promote their green business practices to attract more customers than before. As mentioned above, the general public and business sector are becoming more environmentally aware, therefore are starting to select greener companies to work with.
Field service teams utilizing AR-based remote visual support AIRe Link are likely to attract more customers for a number of reasons not limited to green business practises which you can learn more about. In fact, Konica Minolta saved 37.9 tons of CO2 emissions during the year 2020 by resolving 5,418 customer issues remotely through the use of AR-based remote visual support AIRe Link.
Try AIRe Link for free
Want to take advantage of AR-based remote visual support AIRe Link? Try the remote assistance platform free all without credit card requirements. Test the features available with a 30-day Pro trial included when you sign up. Have any questions? Consult with one of our experts who can guide you through using AIRe Link and answer any questions you may have.