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What Is A Connected Shop? Part II

Welcome back to the second part of our series, What Is A Connected Shop? In our last installment we took a look at the basics of a connected shop, from what the term means to the many uses of diagnostic software and hardware tools.

Today, we will dive into the specific of trucks and telematics and data-driven maintenance, because in the end, a connected shop is about more than Wi-Fi and a laptop. Telematics, for instance, can take connected shop diagnostics to the next level, thanks to the partnerships between OEMs and telematics companies.

The Value of Telematics

This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve talked about telematics, and there’s a good reason for that. Telematics have been influencing almost every industry and trucking is no exception. Today’s telematics systems provide for enhanced communication between man and machine; communication that couldn’t have been dreamed of a mere decade ago.

One example is in the area of diagnostics alerts and vehicle problems. Advanced telematics systems can send email alerts to the maintenance managers and let them know what problem might exist before the truck even makes it into the shop. When a technician can diagnose a truck sooner, downtime is reduced and costs kept to a minimum.

When repairs are needed, integrated telematics platforms can communicate with the fleet’s maintenance system to schedule the needed work, all without the need of a single keystroke or piece of paper. Truck drivers can fill out an electronic form in their cab and a repair order is than placed within the fleet’s maintenance software.

The automation not only saves time and reduces costs, but it also helps to reduce mistakes. When a dispatcher doesn’t have to take a phone call from a truck driver and manually write information down on a piece of paper, errors are reduced.

The better data you can get and act upon, the more insight you can provide. And telematics isn’t limited to truck, engine and shop operation. Even tire inflation monitoring systems, reefer units and trailer tracking systems provide real-time data and wireless connectivity.

Managing Maintenance with Data and the Cloud

One of the most important aspects of the new connected shop is the prevalence of data. With so much data at a fleet manager’s fingertips, no longer does one have to make decisions or base relationships on a ‘gut feeling’. Now, you have data to back you up, and it’s hard to argue with hard and fast numbers.

With the advent of cloud computing, maintenance managers and fleet technicians can access information from any Internet-enabled device, no matter where they are, and provided there is a Wi-Fi connection.

The cloud also enables a greater number of users to access a specific piece of software or information at the same time. Being able to access specific data points allows coordination between different individuals or work groups.

Data allows technicians to identify systems that might be overlooked and are ready to breakdown. It also allows fleets to inspect things like trailer tires based on mileage instead of some arbitrary time schedule.

With all of the data at our fingertips, there really is no reason for a technician in the connected shop to not know there is an issue with a piece of equipment before a major problem develops. And although you’ll never get perfect predictions, data can be a huge help.

Evolving the Shop

If there is anything preventing the connected shop from becoming the de facto standard, it’s in an old way of thinking. Many maintenance managers may not have the level of confidence or trust in data as they do in a piece of paper or what someone else tells them.

Even so, as technology continues on its long, slow march, it won’t be long before using complex pieces of software and analyzing reams of data are both routine.

Whether it be communication between truck drivers and fleet management or between maintenance operations and truck drivers, the connected shop makes life easier.

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