Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/873881
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2017 37 I magine a diesel engine oil filler cap that calls your phone when it's time to change the oil. That's what Perkins unveiled at its new factory and headquarters for the Americas in Seguin, Texas. Perkins billed its SmartCap as the world's first low-cost engine telematics device. Unlike a typi- cal equipment telematics system that might cost $200 and require a monthly subscription fee, the Smart- Cap costs just $50 (the introductory price), and the data is free. The SmartCap looks like an ordinary oil filler cap, but contains a battery and sensor. When the sensor detects the engine running, it sends a signal to the operator's smart phone via Bluetooth con- nection. The Perkins app on the operator's phone (https://Perkins. com/myengine) then sends the in- formation to a cloud-based website, which keeps track of the hours accumulated. When 500 hours and other scheduled service intervals are reached, the app sends the op- erator a reminder to change the oil or do other required service. By scanning a QR code on the top of the cap, the operator initializ- es that specific cap and engine and receives a unique ID on the web- site. The SmartCap and My Engine App combined will give you engine running hours; engine location; service reminders and service logs; start/stop data; and parts books and consumables information. The SmartCap comes in three sizes that fit most Perkins engines, mechanical or electronic, ranging from 25 to 270 horsepower, and it works just as well on Perkins engines that are 20 years old as it does on engines coming off the assembly line today. It will be sold through dealers initially, but the company plans to make the Smart- Cap standard equipment on future engines, says Ian Bradford, parts product manager. The SmartCap will be available starting in September, and while the introductory price may go up in the future, Perkins is not look- ing to profit from the system, says Bradford. The larger strategy is to introduce customers to Perkins' new service and support system, which the company also announced in Seguin. Targeted at machine owners, rent- al shops and repair services, http:// perkins.com/shop will allow custom- ers in the United States to buy parts for their Perkins engines over the internet. The look and feel of the online parts store will be familiar to anybody who uses Amazon or other online stores, and it functions in much the same manner, says Glynn Dickinson, aftermarket business systems manager. technology | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com SMALLER, SMARTER AND MORE INTUITIVE: Perkins telematics SmartCap serves as a gateway to a better parts and service experience Perkin's SmartCap oil filler cap calls you when it's time to change the oil.