Case Study: VSS Transportation Group

VSS Transportation Group Streamlines Fleet Operations with SmartQ RFID

Managing a fleet of 300 trucks and nearly as many drivers is no small feat, and for VSS Transportation Group, fuel transactions were becoming a significant pain point.

The Problem: Card Skimming, Lost Cards Causing Headaches

Card skimming incidents had resulted in repeated fraud, and efforts to resolve the issue with vendors didn’t yield the best results, according to Lisa Buglehall, Corporate Recruiter and Safety Manager for VSS.

“Card skimming was our primary concern. We had a lot of issues with that,” said Buglehall.

Lost or stolen fuel cards were another headache for VSS. Bugelhall said operations ground to a halt whenever a driver misplaced a card or fraud was detected.

“If their card was shut down, they couldn’t fuel up. Then, we’d have to scramble to issue a check or come up with another card,” said Buglehall.

The manual processes for managing fuel cards added to the frustration. Whenever drivers switched trucks, VSS staff would have to update the fuel card information to match. And, when a driver left the company, cards weren’t always deactivated right away as part of the separation process. These issues were as costly as they were time-consuming.

“There were a lot of little things that added up to big things,” said Buglehall. VSS needed a solution that could simplify operations, enhance security, and reduce inefficiencies across the board.

The Solution: Enhanced Security and Efficiency with SmartQ RFID

VSS Transportation Group found their answer with QuikQ’s SmartQ RFID. Buglehall said the decision for VSS to implement this innovative fueling solution was driven by its promise of enhanced security, operational efficiency, and ease of use.

Seamless Implementation

Transitioning to SmartQ RFID was smoother than Buglehall anticipated.

“I thought it was going to be a big headache, but it was really easy,” she said.

Working closely with QuikQ’s team, VSS completed the switch in less than three months, a remarkable feat considering their nationwide operations. “Eddie and MacKenzie at QuikQ were fantastic,” said Buglehall. “They were always there to answer questions and guide us through the setup.”

Improved Security and Efficiency

SmartQ RFID eliminates the need for physical fuel cards by using RFID tags linked to specific trucks. This prevents unauthorized transactions and ensures every gallon of fuel is properly accounted for.

For VSS, this meant no more scrambling to replace lost cards or dealing with fraud-related disruptions.

“Drivers no longer have to worry about skimmers or their cards being shut down,” Buglehall said.

And, despite some initial skepticism, even the most change-resistant drivers came to appreciate the new system. “Some of our drivers pushed back at first, but once they got used to RFID, they said it was so much easier,” said Buglehall.

The Results: Fraud Is a Thing of the Past

Since adopting SmartQ RFID in June 2024, VSS Transportation Group has seen measurable improvements:

• Reduced Fraud: Incidents of theft and card misuse have dropped significantly. “We’ve had no issues with fraud since switching,” said Buglehall.
• Time Savings: Drivers spend less time at the pump, enabling them to stay on schedule. “They’re in and out faster, which keeps them and our freight moving,” she added.
• Streamlined Processes: The manual tasks of managing fuel cards have been virtually eliminated. “Now, I just ensure drivers are active in the system,” Buglehall explained. “No more worrying about matching cards to trucks or deactivating them when someone leaves.”

When asked if she’d recommend QuikQ, Buglehall didn’t hesitate. “If you want something that makes life easier and less stressful, this is it,” she said. “It’s secure, it’s simple, and it works.”

The Bottom Line

For VSS Transportation Group, QuikQ’s SmartQ RFID has delivered exactly what they needed: a secure, efficient, and driver-friendly fueling solution. By addressing both operational and security challenges, QuikQ has become an indispensable partner in keeping VSS’s fleet moving—one mile at a time.