Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/795447
70 commercial carrier journal | march 2017 EQUIPMENT: MAINTAINING OLDER TRUCKS distributor's network. e all-makes open-system retrofit unit uses a GPS signal and can route fault codes via geofencing to the closest in-network service provider. "A [HDA service provider] member could see the truck has a low coolant signal or whatever the code is coming off of it, and the GPS and geofencing technology helps [the driver or fleet] figure out where to go," says Tina Alread, director of sales for HDA. "Down the road, it will even show you who specializes in your particular fault code and if they have a bay open." Geotab introduced its GO7 device in 2014, the sixth upgrade to its GO lineup since its 1997 rollout. e latest iteration, in ad- dition to the standard CAN bus, also can be integrated with the Mid-Speed CAN and Single Wire CAN buses that are supported for legacy vehicles. Four manufacturer-discretion interfaces can be configured in firmware to fit different custom peripherals. OEM collaborations Last year, Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America an- nounced an upcoming partnership with Geotab that will enable connectivity for older Mack and Volvo trucks not currently equipped with the companies' integrated telematics solutions. e program, likely to debut later this year, will bring vehicle uptime connectivity to 2010 model-year and older trucks, says David Pardue, Mack's vice president of connected vehicles and uptime services. "e easy accessibility of this information will enable custom- ers to make informed decisions to enhance uptime, productivity, fuel efficiency, compliance and safety," says Conal Deedy, director of connected services for Volvo Trucks. "ese customers are seeing the benefit of the service on their newer trucks, but they want to have support on their whole fleet." Volvo's Remote Diagnostics, introduced in 2012, proactively monitors fault codes from key truck components, including the engine, I-Shi automated manual transmission and aer- treatment system. "We have many fleets that are using Remote Diagnostics service on their (2013 and) newer model trucks," Deedy says. If a potential issue is detected, Remote Diagnostics evaluates the code, develops an analysis for repair planning and ensures repair instructions and parts are available, all while the truck remains in service. Information about a potential issue is captured and commu- nicated electronically through Asist, Volvo's web-based tool that enables real-time communications between customers, dealers and Volvo Action Service staff at Volvo's Uptime Center, as well as Volvo field personnel. "e customer is always in charge of where they would like to have the truck serviced," Deedy says. e Volvo Action Service agent at the Uptime Center will contact the customer and support them through the service process, regardless of where the truck will be serviced. "e driving mission of Volvo Action Service agents is to support the customer through the issue to be sure it is addressed efficiently and effectively," Deedy says. Most Detroit-powered Freightliner and Western Star trucks assembled since April 2011 were built with the connectivity platform that delivers the Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostics service. Greg Treinen, Daimler Trucks North America's manager of connectivity, says the platform also is compatible with older U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2010-era Detroit-powered Freightliner and Western Star trucks. "Retrofit kits are available through Freightliner and Western Star dealers or through our telematics partner, Zonar Systems," Treinen says. Fleets with trucks older than EPA 2010 can pur- chase Zonar's V3 platform, a variation of the Virtual Technician platform. Zonar's V3 platform delivers fault code information to the company's Ground Traffic Control web-based fleet manage- ment interface. While the V3 platform cannot deliver the OEM diagnostics insights that Virtual Technician provides, it can deliver information pulled from the truck's J1939 network to help fleets stay informed when their vehicles experience a fault event, Treinen says. Why do I need diagnostics? Aside from truck health insights that can be gleaned from diag- nostics, the information provided can put those in the know in position to make better decisions for the overall fleet. "I want to take any decision-making responsibility out of the hands of the driver," says Michael Riemer, vice president of prod- ucts and channel marketing for Decisiv, a provider of service National Truck Pro- tection has teamed up with Geotab and Assured Telematics Inc. to provide fault monitoring services, vehicle diagnostics and regulatory compliance. Volvo's Remote Diagnostics, introduced in 2012, proactively monitors fault codes from key truck components.