UK gets Ford’s CV telematics this summer
Ford and Telogis announced the expansion of their exclusive partnership claiming to provide value to customers beyond the vehicle. The system will use real-time information from vehicles to enable businesses with workers in the field to know vehicle location, driver behaviour and fuel consumption – a system claiming companies can save up to 20% on fuel.
Since 2011, Telogis has been the exclusive technology provider to power Ford Telematics (formerly Ford Crew Chief) in the US and Canada.
The UK expansion of the Telogis-Ford partnership plans to meet demand from current and new Ford customers for insight into day-to-day operations including Ford vehicle diagnostics.
“Ford Telematics is an innovative system that can deliver reductions in cost of ownership for businesses that operate Ford’s Transit commercial vehicles,” said Paul McDermott, manager, commercial vehicle aftersales, Ford of Britain. “Real-time vehicle location and diagnostic data provides fleet customers with a powerful tool to manage their vehicles more effectively and also encourage safer driving.”
Ford Telematics will be available to fleet customers in May as a dealer-installed option, offered through Ford’s network of specialist Transit Centres.
It works by securely transmitting vehicle data and metrics from the vehicle to a dedicated Telogis website via an embedded cellular connection. The telematics system’s ability to access proprietary Ford vehicle data enables operators to track details such asoil change warnings, water contamination in diesel fuel, tyre pressure,safety belt use and airbag status.
Paul Reynolds, automotive director at Telogis, said: “The reality of being able to visualise field staff and the performance of each Ford vehicle – all on one screen – is here. This visibility enables Ford commercial customers to provide better service for their own customers and run their businesses more productively and efficiently – it’s no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a ‘have to have’ solution.”
Further advances include a suite of more than 80 pre-loaded reports, integration with established business operating systems and fuel card services. Ford Telematics and the Telogis platform also allow for a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach, all helping to further reduce hardware costs and increase productivity.
The system is compatible with Ford’s latest range of Transit commercial vehicles including the all-new Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier as well as the Ranger pickup.
Also the same Telogis hardware can be fitted to any other vehicles on the fleet, regardless of manufacturer.
