Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/201087
INBRIEF Mack says it continues to be the dominant player in the refuse market, but the traditionally strong construction segment has all but disappeared in the wake of the economic recession. Mack unleashes GuardDog Connect telematics system M ack Trucks launched Mack GuardDog Connect, a telematics service solution built into its GuardDog onboard maintenance monitoring system designed to enable quick diagnosis of issues, proactive scheduling for repairs and confirmation that needed parts are in stock and ready to install – all while the truck remains in service. GuardDog keeps an eye on the truck and makes Mack GuardDog Connect the driver aware of potential issues. For routine activates when a serious fault is detected, triggering faults like a clogged filter, low fluid level or upcoma series of events that starts ing recommended service interval, GuardDog with an automatic alert to sends a message to the driver via the Mack CoMack OneCall, Mack's 24/7 Pilot in-dash display. customer support center. GuardDog Connect, programmed to diagnose 30 engine and aftertreatment faults, is fully integrated into the truck and activates when a serious fault is detected. This triggers a series of events that starts with an automatic alert to Mack OneCall, Mack's 24/7 customer support center. Upon receiving the notification and while the driver continues working, the Mack OneCall team evaluates the situation, and a case is opened in the Mack ASIST Web-based fleet service management platform. The owner or fleet service manager is contacted via e-mail, phone, text or other means of their preference, and the repair planning process begins through a customer-chosen dealer. The Mack team can help the customer find a dealer along the truck's current route, further saving time. This process includes verification that a bay and the necessary parts are available while Mack OneCall electronically sends repair instructions to the dealer. "The end result is that technicians are fully prepared when the truck arrives, getting the customer back on the road faster," said John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing. "Customers have enough on their minds today without having to worry about the time it takes to diagnose a problem with their vehicle and get the situation addressed." Dave Albert, director of Mack's Aftermarket Services, said GuardDog Connect can take upward of a day out of each unplanned service event. The product spent more than a year in pilot-testing with a handful of fleets across the country. GuardDog Connect – part of Mack's Pedigree Uptime Protection – will come standard and free for two years on model-year 2015 Mack Pinnacle, Titan and Granite models with Mack engines scheduled to roll out in January 2014. Sub30 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2013