Arsenault Associates has developed two free tools to help companies evaluate fleet maintenance software.

Arsenault, the provider of Dossier fleet maintenance management software, created Microsoft Excel worksheets, one that calculates return on investment and another that compares software providers.

"The economic downturn has many fleet-dependent firms looking for the means to control operating costs," said CEO Charles Arsenault. "Among the more popular technologies being reviewed is fleet maintenance management software. In recent months we have seen a spike in inquiries from companies anxious to reign in maintenance expenditures."

To use the Maintenance Software ROI Calculator, fleet managers enter the numbers of vehicles according to type, and after hitting enter, the calculator will return a projected savings over one year for the entire fleet.

"Savings will vary according to the software chosen and the fleet's commitment to successful implementation," Arsenault said. "But this calculator provides a good ball park estimate based on our 30 years of experience."

The second tool, which evaluates vendors, provides a series of questions about potential software vendors.

"We've seen fleets make poor decisions by focusing on a program's functionality and paying only cursory attention to the company that stands behind it," Arsenault said. "So we developed the Maintenance Software Decision Matrix."

After answers are rated from excellent to poor, each vendor is given an overall score.

"The questions are what make the matrix worthwhile," Arsenault said. "They are not always obvious questions to ask, especially for people new to the technology market. But the answers can show how well your software will be supported, how good the training will be, and how willing a vendor is to help solve the individual challenges your unique fleet might have."

Both tools can be downloaded for free from Arsenault's website at www.arsenault.biz.