FleetBoard telematics: range on offer for short-radius distribution, a glimpse into the future of telematics

STUTTGART, Germany, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In parallel with the new Mercedes-Benz Antos, FleetBoard is introducing new services for heavy short-radius distribution. The investment into telematics for touring coaches and vans is also proving more worthwhile than ever. Throughout Europe, FleetBoard is a market leader amongst providers of telematics solutions for trucks, vans and coaches of all brands, in all markets. FleetBoard has also gained many new customers in South Africa, Brazil and the Middle East. The company recently received the renowned Frost & Sullivan Award for growth and innovation.

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Attractive offering: logistics for short-radius distribution optimised

The specific applications in short-radius distribution require flexible telematics solutions. With the help of FleetBoard, logistics and distribution processes are optimised and the vehicle's potential is exploited to the fullest extent. For the new Mercedes-Benz Antos, FleetBoard offers an attractive range of amenities for the use of professional telematics: FleetBoard TiiRec – the built-in vehicle computer with modem and GPS receiver – is available including driver coaching for as little as 800 euro. The FleetBoard TiiRec terminal device is designed for the use of FleetBoard vehicle management and time management telematics services. It is used to exchange technical data for every vehicle with a vehicle interface. Customers can pick and choose from FleetBoard's wide range of services.

FleetBoard pays off: many years of experience of customers in the short-radius distribution business show that by using FleetBoard, fuel consumption can be lowered by 5 to 15 percent within a short time, wear is reduced and jobs can be managed optimally. The FleetBoard vehicle management system records and evaluates technical data from the vehicle, displaying data such as speed, braking behaviour, engine map, stops and idling with the engine running, as well as the degree of difficulty of the deployment including the average gradient and vehicle weight. This information serves to increase the economic efficiency of the fleet. Customised driver tips help to improve driving style, and in many companies, the Performance Analysis is used as the basis for a bonus system. FleetBoard now offers an enhanced Performance Analysis which delivers even more detailed data for the new Actros and includes e.g. such as EcoRoll and or kick-down usage.

New entry: easy communication with the driver

The entry-level solution in FleetBoard logistics services is a new transport management service with essential functions for an efficient logistics process. It is intended for companies looking to implement text communication between headquarters and the driver, along with navigation.

Basic communication between logistics and the driver takes place via free-text transmission, messaging and status reports. The vehicle location can be seen at any time in FleetBoard Mapping. Messages from logistics land directly in the driver's cab via DispoPilot.guide.

The built-in DispoPilot.guide with its large seven-inch (17.8-cm) screen acts as a navigation and communication device in the basic version. It can transfer addresses from logistics to the route guidance system. An upgrade to additional services such as simulation of company-specific workflows is possible at any time. Integrated into the navigation system are features such as Lane Assistant and consideration of hazardous goods transport for route planning.

Coaches operate efficiently with FleetBoard Performance Analysis

Throughout Europe, fully equipped buses from Mercedes-Benz and Setra can either be equipped with the FleetBoard system ex-works or retrofitted > as in the case of coaches from other manufacturers. Using a digital map, the fleet manager can at any time retrieve the vehicle's current location or a detailed tracking at 30-second intervals, and switch back and forth between a road view and a satellite view. In addition to coach location, the system also displays important route events and warning and status messages. FleetBoard also allows coach operators to optimise their economic efficiency, since fuel consumption and wear can be significantly reduced by driving style. Evaluations give the driver feedback on actions that can be taken to improve driving style and, above all, make it safer.

FleetBoard ex-works in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The FleetBoard telematics system is available in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter directly ex-works, as part of the original equipment. This provides significant savings for the fleet's operating and processing costs. Real-world tests in shortradius distribution have shown that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be lowered by up to 30 percent by adopting an efficient driving style. And FleetBoard logic couldn't be easier: drivers learn a defensive, pre-emptive driving style and maintain it based on the regular, straightforward reports provided in their driving style assessment.

Service offering also available as an App

With the FleetBoard App, all key fleet information is "at your fingertips", even while on the road. Business managers, fleet managers and logistics officers can access both current data and data histories via their iPhone or iPad. They can find out vehicle locations and remaining driving times and communicate these to the driver. This allows them to locate drivers with enough driving time remaining in the vicinity of an order to be fulfilled on the spur of the moment, thus providing a quick answer to the question of whether a route will be carried out as planned. Short-notice transport requests or delays due to traffic can be responded to quickly > even at night, if necessary.

About FleetBoard

Daimler FleetBoard GmbH is a European market leader in the field of commercial vehicle telematics and the company has received Frost & Sullivan's "2012 Growth Leadership Award". FleetBoard hardware and services are designed to meet the needs of the fleet managers, dispatchers, and drivers of truck, bus, and van fleets, in all sectors and with vehicles from all brands. FleetBoard has been established for years as the ideal fleet management system for greater economy and smart logistics processes. Easy-to-use technology supports drivers in their daily operations. The Stuttgart-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler and is certified by DEKRA in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. With the market entry of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, FleetBoard became one of the first suppliers to offer telematics services as standard in trucks throughout Europe.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan