Daimler FleetBoard: “Our focus is on increasing fleet productivity”

What does your company do?
Daimler FleetBoard GmbH is among the Europe-wide market leaders in the field of commercial vehicle telematics. The hardware and services are aimed at fleet managers, dispatchers, and drivers for truck, bus, and van fleets of all brands and sectors. FleetBoard has been well established for years as a fleet management system for more cost-effectiveness and transparency. Our easily operated technology also supports drivers in day-to-day operations. Our focus is on increasing fleet productivity.

How do you differentiate your offerings from your competitors?
Transport companies have been profiting from our established telematics services for many years. Since the FleetBoard market launch in 2000, more than 85,000 vehicles operated by 2,000 customers have been equipped, which makes us one of the leading players in the telematics industry. We are able to provide productivity, consulting, international training, and support structures as well as strategic partnerships. FleetBoard currently serves the markets of Europe, Brazil, South Africa, and the Middle East.

We are presenting trailblazing telematics services to maximize the economic efficiency of trucks, vans, and buses. New FleetBoard products—the new fleet management app, for example—have been designed for industry-specific transport processes and enhance fleet productivity or help to keep an overview of the fleet. In addition, we offer open telematics solutions for mixed fleets with lots of interfaces in processing systems, such as SAP. Reference customers confirm the high efficiency of FleetBoard. About 80% of the costs can be influenced by using telematics services; our analysis customers report 7% or 4l/100 km average fuel enhancement in the first three months. Proximity to the truck development, ex-factory fitment of the telematics hardware, and integration into other vehicle brands provides a broad basis for the growth of our services. FleetBoard is a wholly owned Daimler subsidiary, DEKRA-tested and certificated according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. We give our customers long-term investment security.

What partnerships are you currently forging? What industry milestones have you recently achieved?
We have a wide range of long lasting partnerships with hardware and software suppliers. Our products fully comply with automotive industry standards. By partnering with established brands, we provide high quality for our customers. We have also developed special features for Mercedes-Benz vehicles together with Daimler internal partners. In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Service, we provide truck service management, which decisively reduces wear and tear. Furthermore, our hardware platform works very well in all commercial vehicle brands offering an FMS gateway.

In 2010, we specially invested in a new dimension of logistics solutions. The new FleetBoard transport management system enables distribution managers to plan jobs in a flexible manner. The FleetBoard development engineers have given special attention to providing an ergonomic state-of-the-art user interface. A new mapping version with satellite images enables trips to be traced in detail, including operations in border and urban traffic. The DispoPilot.guide is a new addition to FleetBoard’s range of cab terminals. This terminal, with a large 7-inch display, represents an attractively priced entry-level model to introduce operators to our world of professional transport management solutions, providing assistance for job management and navigation. In addition, FleetBoard telematics services are now available ex-factory for Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. This enables substantial reductions in fleet operating and process costs. In 2011, FleetBoard development will focus on strengthening our position as one of the key players in Europe as well as expand the portfolio in terms of logistics and time management services.

Which trends will impact the industry the most in the coming years and why?
Road transport is predicted to grow by more than 20% within the next 10 years; green telematics reduces costs, improves CO2 footprints, and streamlines processes. By using telematics, transport companies can reduce their fuel usage and optimize costs, tours, and communication. They benefit from a reduction in administration effort and follow an environmentally friendly path that stands for social responsibility and competitive advantage. That is why telematics penetration will increase by 15% a year up to 2015 in Europe.

You are an integral part of our upcoming Fleet and Asset Management Europe 2011 event. What key issues will you be discussing with the industry at the show?
Due to the fact that I have spent a vast part of my career in automotive after sales and service, I look forward to getting in contact with colleagues and partners in the telematics branch, discussing trends, features, and market dynamics.

Which gadgets, gizmos, or cars are on your 2011 wish list?
The new FleetBoard app is a must. I want it to be No. 1 on our customers’ wish list in 2011.

To discuss the latest trends in fleet management, join the industry’s key players at Fleet and Asset Management Europe 2011 on April 4 and 5 in Amsterdam.

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