“Connectivity” may not be your top concern when buying a work truck. Like most fleet owners and executives, saving fuel, maximizing cargo capacity and resale value may take precedence.
On closer inspection, the difference in fuel economy for similarly spec’d vehicles is very small, if non existent. Connectivity might actually be the fastest path to savings, considering the need to find ways to do more with less equipment since new trucks cost 30 to 40 percent more compared to only a few years ago.
Manufacturers of commercial vehicles are using connected vehicle technology, in the form of factory-installed telematics platforms, to attract and keep buyers. With this technology, the manufacturer can collect and monitor diagnostics data to help their customers reduce maintenance costs and boost the productivity of their trucks and workers.
OEMs have integrated these platforms with the control modules of their engines and dozens of other components and sensors on the vehicle. Straight from the factory, many vehicles now come equipped with the ability to capture important, location-based event data. Fleets can use this technology to monitor the productivity of their assets in terms of hours worked, the weight of loads, the volume of cement poured or asphalt laid, and many other possibilities.
Telogis has partnered with a number of manufacturers to offer its telematics platform as a factory installed option. This path not only saves fleets time and money for installation, but enriches the value of the information.
“It is not just easier to install these vehicles by having it done at the factory, but you can get so much more access to rich integration,” said David Cozzens, chief executive officer at Telogis during the company’s annual Latitude user conference, held in Dana Point, Calif., on Oct. 27-29.
[CLICK Here to view a guided tour of the speakers and technology demonstrations at the 2014 Telogis Latitude conference]
