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FleetMaintenance_NovemberDecember_2016

Cloud-based transportation industry operating system By David A. Kolman, Editor Early next year, Volkswagen Truck & Bus will offer RIO – an open and Cloud-based operating system for the transportation industry. With it, all players in the supply chain – shippers, dispatchers, carriers, drivers and recipients – will be connected with a uniform information and application system that includes forecasting features. Using intelligent algorithms, RIO combines different sources of data and then analyzes them. Based on information from tractors, trailers, bodies, drivers and orders – plus combining this information with traffi c, weather and navigation data, RIO will provide its users with “concrete recommendations for action in real time,” say company offi cials. This will “signifi cantly improve” both the transportation and reloading process, plus increase effi ciency and transparency in the transportation ecosystem. Volkswagen Truck & Bus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG (www.volkswagenag.com), is a global leader in commercial vehicles. COMMON PLATFORM Harnessing data within the transportation industry is oftentimes not possible due to the players involved who use different software systems and different cargo and vehicle management systems. RIO is the fi rst to offer a common platform and thus one that can be used regardless of the vehicle brand or telematics system, notes Andreas Renschler, CEO, Volkswagen Truck & Bus. Fleets with mixed vehicles can only use digital services in one single solution. In addition, all vehicle types can be refi tted without diffi culty, he adds. “RIO will fundamentally change the world of transportation as we know it,” Renschler says. “For the fi rst time, our unifi ed platform enables the registration, management and integrated use of all data and information available in the transportation system. “That is benefi cial for our customers because it makes their business more profi table, and it is good for the environment, because we will see fewer empty trucks on the road.” DIGITIZATION For any size fl eet, RIO provides the opportunity to take advantage of the benefi ts of digitization without the need to have strong IT skills or specially trained experts, Renschler notes. Similar to operating systems of smartphones, various apps can be used with RIO that are intuitive in their operation and run in any standard web browser. Another feature of RIO is a consistent user interface across all functions. | Cover Story From an industry perspective, the ELD mandate is expected to create explosive growth in telematics. Th is infl ux of connected trucks will generate considerable demand for data services within a telematics provider’s off ering to translate raw vehicle data into actionable information. TELEMATICS Telematics services are beginning to off er fl eets a real-time look into the status of all connected systems on their vehicles. Th ey are able to see everything from major mechanical issues to a live look at fl uid levels. Th is ability to gain access to a live, holistic view of vehicles is presenting fl eets with a number of cost-saving benefi ts. From a maintenance point of view, the ability to have insight into a truck’s status and location are a necessity for planning and delivering optimal maintenance. Fleets will be able to better route their vehicles to their preferred service centers, as well as plan for downtime and schedule additional vehicles when necessary. Th e enhanced remote diagnostics available through telematics are eliminating a lot of the guess work from maintenance scheduling by providing precise information about all connected components on a vehicle while the vehicle is in transit. CBM Today, many vehicles are serviced on a fi xed interval schedule, or when a maintenance need is easily identifi able. As the capabilities of enhanced remote diagnostics increase, fl eets will begin implementing a condition-based maintenance (CBM) strategy that can optimize the frequency of maintenance activities. Rather than scheduling maintenance based on miles or time-based intervals, fl eets can send vehicles for maintenance on an as-needed basis. Th is is made possible by the information from remote diagnostic tools alerting to components failing or producing high-risk faults that could lead to potential breakdowns. By implementing a CBM policy, fl eets can reduce downtime and prolong the life of their vehicles by performing maintenance when necessary, rather than allowing minor issues to escalate into costly malfunctions. For years, the potential savings of CBM was recognizable, but it has only recently started to become possible due to increased support from telematics services and the proper management of vehicle data. PM Building on the effi ciencies of CBM, a stream of actionable information provided through telematics systems can enhance the practice of preventive maintenance (PM). By analyzing data from a satisfactory sample size of vehicles, data management companies can begin to detect trends, such as a minor faults escalating into major issues aff ecting multiple components if the vehicle is left unrepaired. Recognizing which faults commonly escalate into serious issues that lead to malfunction can reduce repair costs through early detection and lower the number of unexpected breakdowns, benefi ting driver satisfaction and load management. Using proven data trends to link particular faults with future failures streamlines the repair process by providing service centers with advanced notice of repair needs for better labor and inventory planning. ANTICIPATED CHANGES By eff ectively using enhanced remote diagnostics information, fl eets will be able to better implement the anticipated technological changes of the future. When vehicle control is slowly removed from the human driver, systems must be in place to ensure the safety of all fl eet assets, as well as the general public. For example, remote monitoring can alert a driver if his platooning partner is likely to experience brake failure in the near future so correct adjustments can be made for both vehicles. Maintenance requirements and possible inspection regulations of the new set of technologies likely to come will require additional electronic diagnosis and specialized training. Th e explosion of data and deployment of new technologies will impact the workforce. Future top-level technicians will have a strong understanding of computing and soft ware systems, as well as their traditional mechanical training. Leveraging information with enhanced diagnostics, both for in-shop tools and remote monitoring services, could also help to ease the trend of technician shortages. Th e proper diagnosis and repair soft ware will help ensure every technician on site is capable of fi xing any problem the vehicle has. Th rough educational and instructional material within the diagnostic soft ware, entry-level technicians will be able to quickly increase their capabilities to confi dently perform at a higher level. As technologies continue to develop, fl eet management will have to select the right platforms to truly benefi t from the valuable information that will be made available. Using these services will increase fl eet maintenance effi ciencies and maximize vehicle uptime, resulting in a tremendous upside to business operations and the bottom line. n c 18 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com


FleetMaintenance_NovemberDecember_2016
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