mplsystems will be aiming to transform field service efficiency with new AESOP scheduling & optimisation module launching tomorrow at the Field Service Management Expo in London.
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Jun 19, 2017 • News • mplsystems • Field Service Management Expo • scheduling • Software and Apps
mplsystems will be aiming to transform field service efficiency with new AESOP scheduling & optimisation module launching tomorrow at the Field Service Management Expo in London.
With a bold statement that the new tool will ensure 'organisations can offer rapid response to in-day jobs, provide precise slot times and manage delays, changes and overruns, all without compromising on workforce efficiency' it is set to be a highly interesting launch that could be the highlight of the expo. So Field Service News took a look at what we can expect ahead of the event...
What is AESOP?
mplsystems will be launching what has been billed as the 'pioneering AESOP scheduling and optimisation module' at the Field Service Management Expo tomorrow.
The Advanced Engineer Scheduling Optimisation & Prediction (AESOP) application combines real-time feeds, predictive analytics and flexible rules to enable organisations to manage the complexity of today’s field service. Using the latest self-learning genetic algorithms, this grant funded development builds on mplsystems’ leading dynamic scheduling engine, by providing real-time optimisation.
The module, combines real-time data feeds concerning exceptions, such as; traffic flows; the weather and job overruns, with data from deployed equipment through IoT devices.
The module, combines real-time data feeds concerning exceptions, such as; traffic flows; the weather and job overruns, with data from deployed equipment through IoT devices.
Today’s customers have heightened expectations - they expect an immediate response to reactive requests, precise time slots, informed communications and won’t accept delays. How does an organisation adapt without compromising workforce efficiency? AESOP provides an ideal solution, accepting new reactive requests, monitoring delays and jobs in jeopardy and calculating the optimum plan and routes in real-time.
Intelligent Real-Time Scheduling
Companies typically rely on inefficient manual, or partly automatic internal processes and are therefore unable to react quickly to the constant changes and exceptions that keep the service desk busy each day. With continuous customer requests; delays; overruns; etc, being logged at the service desk throughout the working day, staff usually spend the majority of their time rescheduling field engineers’ diaries and playing the ‘middle-man’ to keep the customer informed.
Real-Time Scheduling
Proving itself intelligent and flexible, the software solution is also able to automatically respond to basic customer queries or emergency work orders, thus minimising the repetitive workload for the service desk staff. This could lead to the company reducing the number of staff required to manage exceptions at the service desk and allow them to relocate their resources to more value adding tasks.
What does this mean for the customer?
Being able to react to requests as and when they come in, rather than back logging them, means that customers are seen to on the same day, if there is an emergency and not long after, if they in a position to wait. With a reactive service team, customers feel looked after and valued, thus improving customer satisfaction.
Intelligent Routing
The AESOP scheduling and optimisation module also calculates the most efficient routes for engineers to take between their jobs. Presenting the field technicians with detailed information about the distance between jobs, travel time and the best route to take, can save up to 80% of time spent scheduling jobs at the service desk. Furthermore, this process can help technicians get to jobs almost twice as quick as before.
The solution also ensures that the customer is automatically sent a message when the engineer is on their way and/or if they run into any potential delays.
What does this mean for the customer?
Having a system to optimise field technicians’ diaries and send out automated messages with journey and job updates, means that customers are continually kept well informed and are able to better manage their day. Rather than having to wait around for vague half day time slots, they are now able to work around the hour within which their service visit is due. This is a vast improvement for customer experience within the service industry as the sector is notorious for delayed scheduling and ineffective systems.
Predictive Maintenance
Through the digital connectivity that comes with the IoT, devices will be able to self-diagnose problems and immediately alert the service organisation of the issue, often before the asset fails and the customer realises something is wrong. mplsystems’ AESOP module integrates these data feeds to ensure preventative visits can be scheduled in, and aligned with other visits in the local area to minimise travel times.
What does this mean for the customer?
Through the efficiency of preventative scheduling, customers’ machine downtime will reduce by over 30%. They will no longer experience any disruption, as their machine will be revitalised before it fails.
Overall
Keeping the customer connected throughout the service process and providing reactive service, the AESOP module will transform Customer Experience. Meanwhile internally, organisations are estimated to reduce their overall service, planning and administration costs by at least 50%.
Find out more by visiting mplsystems at the Field Service Management Expo | June 20 – 22 | Stand N650
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Jun 13, 2017 • News • Alex Tepper • Asset Performance Management • Avitas • Future of FIeld Service • Bill Ruh • GE Digital • Industrial Internet • servicemax
Today at Minds + Machines Europe, GE outlined the course they have mapped out for digital industrial growth, unveiling solutions aimed squarely at the world of industrial assets, environments and operations.
The event has aimed to outline a path towards greater productivity for customers who take up the advances in their Asset Performance Management (APM) and ServiceMax industrial applications, powered by Predix, GE’s platform for the Industrial Internet.
“Europe can lead the digital industrial era,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “Investment in technology, such as automation, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence – along with new skills – can transform industry and drive productivity. GE has long been committed to Europe, and we are invested in its future.”
Delivering the Industrial Service Model of the Future
Transformation of the current industrial service model is a critical element of the digital industrial journey. Most companies today lack the ability to combine insights from data with actions in real time when managing and servicing assets. This contributes to unplanned downtime, which has significant impact on industrial productivity.
To reduce cost and eliminate downtime, it is critical for asset-intensive industries to shift from a reactive, break/fix service model to a predictive model. This change will help companies better understand potential equipment issues preemptively or act upon them quickly with the correct tools and parts.
To achieve this, GE Digital unveiled an integrated solution to deliver the industrial service model of the future that combines the power of ServiceMax, its cloud-based field service management (FSM) solution, with its intelligent Asset Performance Management portfolio. Available in late 2017, the combination of ServiceMax + APM will enable industrial companies to transform how they predict, manage and service the entire asset lifecycle.
The Industrial Internet is enabling companies to take advantage of possibilities that previously seemed out of reach -Bill Ruh, CEO, GE Digital
GE Digital’s APM and FSM solutions automatically collect and analyze service data – from predictive maintenance needs to failure information and recommended work actions – to help industrial companies move beyond traditional asset monitoring to advanced predictive maintenance and asset performance management.
This new approach also provides enhanced scheduling capabilities. Matching customers’ service workforces with their service needs, the offering helps industrial companies dispatch the right engineers to the right job at the right time – and ensure they are qualified, prepared and equipped to successfully complete their work. Receiving updates from workers in the field, the software provides a closed loop from issue identification to resolution, while 'learning' about the most efficient issue resolution methods over time to improve analytics with each alert.
As companies accelerate digital transformation through the combination of GE Digital’s APM and ServiceMax offerings, they can more proactively manage the entire asset lifecycle, increasing productivity and operational efficiencies that can open the door to future business growth.
Transforming service at the edge
Additionally, GE Ventures today launched Avitas Systems, a new data-driven company that will use predictive data analytics, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver advanced inspection services to the oil and gas, transportation and energy industries.
“The inspection services industry requires cutting-edge technologies to avoid unplanned asset downtime and deliver new, valuable insights,” said Alex Tepper, Managing Director of Avitas Systems. “We deploy state-of-the-art robotics and cloud-based technology to give customers the customised service and insights-based data they need to advance from reactive to predictive repair – no matter where their assets are located.”
GE estimates that service transformation represents a $40 billion market opportunity.
By reducing high-risk tasks through robotics, Avitas Systems can make inspection processes safer and more efficient through data automation, decreasing costs by up to 25%. By performing inspections based on anticipated risk, instead of regular time intervals, Avitas Systems can also help to increase asset longevity.
GE estimates that service transformation represents a $40 billion market opportunity. With ServiceMax + APM and Avitas Systems, GE is helping industrial companies manage, optimize and gain insight into their assets across each stage of the lifecycle – all driven by Predix. As the only platform that provides computing capabilities from the edge to the cloud, Predix gives GE customers visibility, control and analytic insights to every part of their industrial infrastructure and operations.
Transforming Energy Management and Customer Operations
GE also announced a suite of new industrial applications, solutions and partnerships to help companies take advantage of the Industrial Internet – moving beyond the factory walls to enable the digital industrial companies of the future. The solutions build on GE’s expansive suite of Predix-powered tools and applications purpose-built for the Industrial Internet.
- Data-Optimized Energy Trading & the ‘Digital Utility’: To help utilities navigate the changing energy market, GE Power unveiled the ’Digital Utility,’ a suite of Predix-based applications that connect real-time machine data with a utility’s profitability. The new Business Optimization software is first of its kind, bringing analytics to the business side of power and utilities companies to help energy traders act profitably in long-term, day-ahead and short-term wholesale markets. The Digital Utility includes updates to GE Power’s Operations Optimization software, incorporating closed-loop analytics to improve generation efficiency for entire fleets. Additionally, GE’s APM solutions for energy businesses now connect all assets across the entire Electricity Value Network (EVN) in an integrated application, providing customers with a single view of assets spanning power generation to the grid.
- Advanced Utility Operations: GE Digital alliance partner PwC showcased its Predix-powered commercial operations solution for utility companies. This solution enables executives to identify margin ‘leakage.’ The solution analyses plant performance data from GE’s Operations Optimisation application, commercial data from dispatch and market-facing system from GE's Business Optimisation application. The solution is expected to launch this summer.
- Reduced Carbon Dioxide Emissions: GE Distributed Power and Dalkia announced that through GE distributor Clarke Energy, the companies have equipped more than one-third of Dalkia’s 170+ Jenbacher gas engines with GE’s myPlant* APM solution, powered by Predix. In total, the fleet of engines could power more than 240,000 French households, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions – which equates to taking nearly 100,000 European cars off the road annually.
- Predix-Powered Clean Energy: GE Renewable Energy and Fina Enerji signed a 10-year full service agreement that covers 150 GE wind turbines in Turkey. The deal will implement GE’s Predix-based Digital Wind Farm hardware and software solutions, which use data analytics to increase wind farm operations. With these digital capabilities, GE Renewable Energy will help develop smarter wind power forecasts for the Turkish market.
- Predix-Enabled Additive Manufacturing: GE Additive will add Predix edge technology to its Concept Laser M2 cusing additive machines. This move allows customers to remotely monitor and collect data from their machines – helping them analyse trends and uncover insights to improve asset performance and operations.
- Data-Driven Drilling: Last year, GE's Marine Solutions and Maersk Drilling announced a partnership to collaborate on a data analytic-driven pilot project, aimed at increasing Maersk’s drilling vessel’s productivity by reducing maintenance costs by up to 20 percent and increasing drilling productivity. The deployment of SeaStream* Insight, GE’s APM solution for Marine powered by Predix, is already showing great potential, and Maersk and GE are looking to expand onto Maersk’s second rig, Interceptor, to broaden the outcomes achieved from the pilot project.
Together, these solutions and deployments advance GE’s vision for the Industrial Internet with a portfolio designed to accelerate customers’ transformation journeys and create new paths to growth for customers of every size and scale.
Minds + Machines Europe 2017 convenes the best and the brightest of the technology world —including GE customers, developers, partners, industry luminaries and technology thought leaders. This year’s event dove deeper into the technology driving digital industrial transformation.
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Jun 08, 2017 • News • FSME • mplsystems • Paul White • Jon Meredith • scheduling • Software and Apps
Award-winning providers of field service management software, mplsystems, will be exhibiting at the recently rebranded Field Service Management Expo this June on stand N650.
Award-winning providers of field service management software, mplsystems, will be exhibiting at the recently rebranded Field Service Management Expo this June on stand N650.
From their intelligent real-time scheduling, parts management and mobile app software, to their service management CRM and contact centre solutions, many top manufacturing and service companies across Europe, have successfully trusted them to transform their efficiency and customer experience.
Recognising that the customer needs to be the focal point of every field service business, mplsystems’ software places customer experience at the centre of its functionality. Via self-service and multi-channel communications, the customer is kept informed and can interact through their channel of choice. With an intelligent scheduling engine, companies are also able to respond to customers more quickly with precise time slots, without sacrificing workforce efficiency.
New technology launch
mplsystems will also be using the expo as the platform to launch their pioneering AESOP scheduling module.
Using the latest genetic algorithms to provide real-time scheduling, this software will ensure that businesses can be responsive to customer requests in real-time, whilst managing changes and delays without compromising on workforce efficiency
Presentations and discussions
Throughout the course of the Expo, their CEO, Paul White, will be delivering a talk session on Minimising Downtime, IoT & Proactive Maintenance. Todays’ customers have heightened expectations, in that they expect responsive service and are much less accepting of any unnecessary downtime. This session addresses how organisations can look to adapt from a reactive to proactive and preventative maintenance model. White will also discuss how unforeseen delays, overruns and changes can be best managed in real-time, without adversely impacting service delivery.
Jon Meredith, mplsystems’ Business Development Director, will be delivering a talk session on Delivering Customer Experience in Field Service. Digital connectivity has changed the way customers perceive field service and has raised their expectations of responsiveness, communications and First-Time-Fix rates.
Paul White, CEO at mplsystems; Hans van den Heuvel, Operations Director at Canon Europe and Tom Mills, Business & Field Manager at Concept Resourcing, will evaluate the impact of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to capture and disseminate knowledge
mplsystems will also be taking part in one of the discussion panels during the Expo this year, exploring the topic of the Ageing Workforce. Panellists; Paul White, CEO at mplsystems; Hans van den Heuvel, Operations Director at Canon Europe and Tom Mills, Business & Field Manager at Concept Resourcing, will evaluate the impact of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to capture and disseminate knowledge, while tracking the evolution of the field service engineer.
Join mplsystems, Field Service News and a number of other key providers to the field service sector on 20 – 22 June at London Excel, to discover the latest field service technology that can transform your scheduling, service efficiency and customer journey, whilst enjoying a packed three days of thought provoking service management discussions.
mplsystems activity overview
- mplsystems | Stand N650
- Talk Session | Minimising Downtime, IoT & Proactive Maintenance | Field Service Theatre | Tuesday 20th June | 14:10 – 14:40 | Paul White, CEO, mplsystems
- Talk Session | Delivering Customer Experience in Field Service | Field Service Theatre | Wednesday 21st June | 13:40 – 14:10 | Jon Meredith, Business Development Director, mplsystems
- Panel Discussion | Ageing Workforce | Wednesday 21st June | 11:00 – 11:30 | Paul White, CEO, mplsystems, Hans van den Heuvel, Operations Director, Canon Europe, Tom Mills, Business & Field Manager, Concept Resourcing[/unordered_list]
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Jun 05, 2017 • Management • News • Events • Field Service Management Expo • Service Management Expo
With the newly rebranded Field Service Management Expo (formerly Service Management Expo) now just two weeks away Chris Edwards, Director Field Service Management, UBM gives us a look at what to expect from the newly rebranded Field Service...
With the newly rebranded Field Service Management Expo (formerly Service Management Expo) now just two weeks away Chris Edwards, Director Field Service Management, UBM gives us a look at what to expect from the newly rebranded Field Service Management Expo in it's fourth consecutive year in London's ExCel
If you haven't registered yet it's free do so on the following link www.servicemanagementexpo.co.uk/FSN
Off the back of an electrifying 2016 show, we wanted to ensure we deliver even more for 2017 and went straight to the industry to identify how. This has resulted in a name change to reflect the profile of our visitors and make sure that Field Service Management Expo mirrors this important market.
The Field Service Theatre will include over 12 hours of seminar and workshop content over the 3 days, exploring the customer journey, recruitment, IoT, the customer experience and RoSPA dedicated workshops on fleet management and driver safety.
Headlining a programme boasting more than 25 sessions is this year’s Inspirational Speakers, who will be focusing on the theme of strength, resilience and defying the odds. Featuring Dame Kelly Holmes, Professor Brian Cox OBE and Simon Weston CBE, each will deliver an inspiring session on the obstacles they’ve faced, solutions they’ve found and how the results have allowed them to march on.
Also new to 2017, visitors will have the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals in dedicated networking sessions, which finish each day in the Field Service Theatre. Topics for discussion will include, ‘powering intelligent service delivery’ and ‘Removing business silos and engaging with your customer’
It promises to be another amazing year for Field Service Management Expo and the team and I can’t wait to welcome the entire service management industry, as you and your peers network, learn and identify innovative cost saving solutions in an incredibly fun and energetic week. We’d also love to hear your feedback and hope you’ll join the conversation on social media, so tweet us @FSMExpo using #FSME17
What to expect:
1:2:1 Meetings Programme
The complimentary matchmaking tool enables visitors and exhibitors to search and connect with each other before the show, allowing you to manage your event schedule.
- Arrange meetings at exhibitors’ stands or in one of the dedicated Meeting Lounges
- Search thousands of contacts by job title, products and services, buyer/seller activities and market sector
- Make the most of your time at the show, pre-arrange meetings and open the door to new business opportunities
Find out more at: www.servicemanagementexpo.co.uk/visit/meet-suppliers
Dedicated Networking Bookending the day
Its visitor’s opportunity to expand their service management industry community and discuss trends and pain points with like-minded peers. Topics will range from ‘Powering intelligent service delivery’ and ‘An agile field service operation’ to Digital marketing transformation and ‘Removing business silos and engaging with your customers’
Session will take place in the Field Service Theatre at the beginning and end of each day.
Field Service Theatre Sponsored by IFS/ FSM
Through a mix of networking sessions, seminars and debate, this theatre will explore the service management customer journey. Sessions will focus on: ‘the customer experience in the service management industry’, ‘IoT’, ‘proactive maintenance’ and ‘recruitment’. Afternoons will be dedicated to fleet safety with RoSPA-led sessions each day.
Sessions will include:
- Delighting the customer with service excellence
- Driver Behaviour – why it’s important within your business
- Can a focus on customer experience really make a difference?
- Embracing millennials in the workplace
- Customer experience excellence in the service industry. Ideas and tips to make a critical difference
Get first-hand experience with over 100+ products and solutions
Discuss your project needs and learn about tried and tested implementation when you meet the product technicians. Plus, discover a range of suppliers across the entire service management chain including IFS, Protean Software, iTouch Vision, MPL Systems, BigChange Apps, Mix Telematics and more.
Inspirational Speakers
Our biggest inspirational line-up ever, featuring Double Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes; Rock star physicist Professor Brian Cox OBE; and Falklands War veteran, Simon Weston CBE are coming to inspire and motivate you in the Keynote Theatre between 20-22 June.
- Build your motivation by emulating the work-ethic that led to double Olympic medals from Dame Kelly Holmes and discover more on her work on numerous mental health boards
- Explore the universe with Professor Brian Cox OBE, and expand your mindset beyond the day-to-day aspects of your role
- Be inspired by a story of triumph and courage, from Falklands war hero, Simon Weston CBE, and turn adversity into opportunity
When are where?
- Dame Kelly Holmes: When & Where: 20 June, 11.30 – 12.30, Keynote Theatre
- Professor Brian Cox OBE: When & Where: 21 June, 11.30 – 12.30, Keynote Theatre
- Simon Weston CBE: When & Where: 22 June, 11.30 – 12.30, Keynote Theatre
Register your place at Field Service Management Expo here; www.servicemanagementexpo.co.uk/FSN
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May 23, 2017 • News • Contract Management • Integration • Mobile tools • Webinars • scheduling • Asolvi • Parts Pricing and Logistics
In this Field Service News webinar brought to you in partnership with Tesseract, we will be exploring five fundamental field service management technologies that every field service organisation should have in place – discussing why each is vital to...
In this Field Service News webinar brought to you in partnership with Tesseract, we will be exploring five fundamental field service management technologies that every field service organisation should have in place – discussing why each is vital to making sure your service delivery hits your core KPIs as well as taking a look at how to use the technologies in a live environment.
This webinar will provide a strong hands-on overview of the types of technology that your team should be using with demonstrations and user tips from Tesseract’s Kevin McNally to help you get the most value from field service management technology.
The technology we will be showcasing will be Tesseract’s own Service Centre 5.1 the latest offering from a company with over a thirty year heritage in delivering field service management software, so there will be a great opportunity to see the latest generation of FSM solution in action – although there will be plenty of best-practice advice that will be suitable for users of any FSM solution.
The five key areas we will be focussing on are as follows:
- Contract Management
- Scheduling
- Mobile tools and communications
- Parts & Inventory Management
- Integration=
Who is this suited for: Whilst this session should be of interest to any field service management professionals, the session is particularly aimed at organisations who are either currently still using manual processes or legacy FSM systems/, FSM systems with limited functionality and looking to see the tools and applications that should be expected as standard in a modern FSM solution.
The technology being showcased in particular is ideally suited to those companies with over 10 field service engineers and the information presented will be aimed towards an audience of field service managers/directors, operations directors or owners/MDs of Service Companies.
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May 22, 2017 • News • B2M • Mobile Solutions • ROI • ROI Calculator • Software and Apps • software and apps
B2M Solutions, the enterprise mobile device analytics company that delivers actionable insights, have recently released a return on investment (ROI) calculator that enterprises can use to quickly determine the savings that can be made by optimising...
B2M Solutions, the enterprise mobile device analytics company that delivers actionable insights, have recently released a return on investment (ROI) calculator that enterprises can use to quickly determine the savings that can be made by optimising their mobile device populations.
Mobile device analytics helps to identify issues affecting device performance that can have a costly impact on the bottom line as they can cause decreased productivity, failure to meet service level agreements, poor customer experience and damaged brand reputation. The issues preventing a device from working optimally can include everything from poor network coverage and connectivity issues to increased battery discharge rates and applications that are causing devices to crash.
IT and operations and executives involved in the management of mobile devices can now use the free online calculator to learn how much downtime and associated costs could be prevented with mobile device analytics, depending on the type of devices the enterprise uses and other variables specific to its work processes.
The calculator determines ROI based on failure rates, lost time due to device failure and lost productivity that are based on benchmarks B2M has developed after aggregating and analysing actual performance data from its experience in helping customers manage hundreds of thousands of mobile devices over time.
B2M is a pioneer in enterprise mobile device analytics and its solutions have supported mobile deployments around the world for enterprise and OEM customers including Barcode Warehouse, BT, easyJet, Ferguson, Hermes, Johnson Controls, Lynx Express, Motorola, Panasonic, RBS, Royal Mail, TRG, Volkswagen and Zebra Technologies.
The calculator determines ROI based on failure rates, lost time due to device failure and lost productivity that are based on benchmarks B2M has developed after aggregating and analysing actual performance data
Mobile device management (MDM) systems typically focus on device configuration and status, whilst mobile device analytics provides insight into device performance and how it can be improved.
B2M’s Elemez mobile device analytics solutions can be used on their own or fully integrated with MDM systems. Elemez is B2M's cloud-based enterprise mobile analytics solution for businesses looking to optimise mobile devices. A standard user interface means it's quick and easy to set up and provides real-time actionable insights on the most common metrics via an interactive dashboard. Elemez brings this data to life, visualising it via graphs and charts so it is easy to see trends affecting device performance and to spot potential problems before they have a serious effect on a business.
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May 18, 2017 • Fleet Technology • News • masternaut • Opel • telematics • Vauxhall
Opel / Vauxhall and Masternaut have announced an exclusive partnership to provide fleet telematics services to commercial vans.
Opel / Vauxhall and Masternaut have announced an exclusive partnership to provide fleet telematics services to commercial vans.
As of May 2017, businesses can purchase Opel and Vauxhall vans with Masternaut’s telematics devices pre-installed, eliminating deployment time, hassle, and cost. These vehicles are then managed via the industry-leading platform Masternaut Connect, which helps customers realise substantial gains in safety, savings, service excellence, and sustainability. This offer will be available in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
The benefits identified by Masternaut in short are as follows:
- Management of commercial fleet data via a powerful B2B software platform
- Customers avoid the cost, hassle and time of installing telematics
- One partner to talk to - get everything from the Opel or Vauxhall dealership
An industry game-changer?
This partnership doesn’t only help Vauxhall respond to business customers’ needs, it is a significant milestone for the rapidly growing commercial fleet telematics industry. Industry analysts estimate that over 10 million commercial vehicles in Europe will be managed with telematics by 2020, representing growth of 20% per year. Part of this growth will come from reducing hurdles to deployment, which include taking productive vehicles off the road and incurring separate installation charges.
The telematics industry has witnessed impressive growth in recent years, but many companies still want easier installation. Despite its proven benefits, telematics is still only installed in a tenth of European commercial vehicles - Dhruv Parekh, Masternaut
With connected car and autonomous vehicle trends accelerating quickly, vehicle manufacturers are investing heavily in technology development and strategic partnerships. Opel and Vauxhall are part of GM, the second OEM to partner with market leader Masternaut, following PSA Group’s Peugeot, Citroën and DS. While Vauxhall use their own technology for cars, they sought an experienced partner to serve their business customers’ light commercial vehicles.
Technology that saves time, money and lives
Vauxhall chose Masternaut as their exclusive partner due to their industry-leading technology which, unlike other devices, reads data directly from the vehicle in a fully secure way, without risk of interference with vehicle systems. Steffen Raschig, Director Commercial Vehicles Opel & Vauxhall, said, “We were already interested in working with Masternaut, as they are one of the largest telematics providers globally. We decided to build a deeper partnership as we learned more about Masternaut’s patented hardware. The device provides read-only access to all vehicle data, providing our customers much richer insights than other telematics devices offer. We were also impressed with Masternaut’s new enterprise-grade Connect platform, which is intuitive and easy-to-use.”
Customers have real-time visibility into vehicle locations and journeys, and they also receive smart reports on driver behaviour, timesheets, vehicle utilisation, and routes.
Masternaut recently conducted research across 10,000 vehicles in its customer base, finding that its technology lowered fuel consumption by 220 litres per vehicle and total fleet running costs by £660 per vehicle annually, resulting in a 3-5x ROI. In addition, smart reports and in-cab coaching help drivers to significantly reduce harsh driving events and speeding, keeping them safe on the roads. Every year, Masternaut’s 10,000+ customers avoid 300 accidents and reduce the release of CO2 by 230 million kg.
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May 16, 2017 • Hardware • News • hardware • rugged • RuggON • tablets
RuggON Corporation, a leader in the design and manufacturing of ruggedized computing products, recently launched a new rugged in-vehicle terminal, the VX-601, which provides superb visibility from a large, bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen...
RuggON Corporation, a leader in the design and manufacturing of ruggedized computing products, recently launched a new rugged in-vehicle terminal, the VX-601, which provides superb visibility from a large, bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen display; great durability; seamless connectivity and communications; as well as smart power management.
The VX-601 is suitable for challenging environments and diverse applications such as intralogistics, cold chain logistics, waste management, mining, harbour freight handling, agriculture and construction. The VX-601 is a full-featured industry-standard computer, based around a powerful Intel® Core™ i5-6300U 2.4 GHz CPU, with up to 8GB of memory, an 80mm M.2 SSD for storage, and internal mini-PCIe slots for expansion.
User friendly in-vehicle terminal
The VX-601 saves time and increases productivity with its outstanding user interface design. The ultra-bright 1200 nits display dims automatically in low light to save power and prevent eyestrain. Even in direct sunlight, a special anti-reflection layer is available to help keep the screen readable. Dedicated user-programmable function keys around the touchscreen provide instant access to important operations, including brightness and volume. A tough projected capacitive touchscreen (PCT) option is available for improved gloved operation.
Based on extensive experience with real-world applications, RuggON has developed the user-friendly DashON interface. With DashON users can easily monitor or adjust numerous important settings and features. RuggON also provides a complete SDK, allowing users to quickly develop their own applications.
Tough enough for any task
RuggON specialises in rugged design, and the VX-601 is built from the ground up for durability and reliability, with IP66 (IEC 60529), MIL-STD-810G and IEC 60721-3-5 Class 5M3 compliance. Waterproofed external connectors are available. Operating temperature range is -30°C to 55°C – with an optional defroster/defogger to keep the screen readable. Together, these features ensure the VX-601 will always be ready for action, in any environment, indoors or outdoors.
The VX-601 accepts a wide power input range, from 9 to 60 VDC, for compatibility with almost any vehicular electrical system. The built-in rechargeable 4500mAh battery pack not only acts as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during brief power outages, but provides 1.5 hours of working time for mobile use, or when an external power source is not available. Smart power management features include ignition sense support to prevent glitches caused by voltage transients. The power connector features any easy relea5se hand-rotatable mechanism to prevent accidental power cable detachment.
The in-vehicle terminal that’s designed for connectivity and expansion
This terminal provides an almost unlimited array of options for connecting to the world and other devices, and includes full GNSS support. Wireless communications are provided by 802.11ac WiFi at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, High Speed Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Wireless wide area network (WWAN) support is also available. Wired connectivity options include Gigabit LAN, as well as extensive I/O features for field operations, such as powered RS-232 plus a separate RS-232/422/485 socket, GPIO and CAN bus (SAE J1939 / OBD II support), and optional four channel video input.
Based on popular industry-standard hardware for ease of expansion and maximum hardware and software compatibility, the VX-601 supports Windows 10 IoT. RuggON offers a diverse range of accessories and peripherals to suit any application.
Read more about the RuggON VX-601 – the ultimate in tough, reliable in-vehicle terminal computers – as well as VX-601 accessories, and other products from RuggON, the rugged computer specialists, here: http://www.ruggon.com/
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May 15, 2017 • News • Future of FIeld Service • Research Nester • Energy • IoT
Research Nester has recently announced its latest research on “Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Energy Sector Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023”.
Research Nester has recently announced its latest research on “Global Internet of Things (IoT) in Energy Sector Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023”.
Rapid growth of urbanization across the globe is changing the way of using devices and things present in the technological environment. Internet of Things (IoT) in energy sector includes the devices and software which have connectivity feature with internet. The devices are embedded with sensors, chips, and others to enhance the user’s experience and to increase the operational efficiency of the operations in energy sector.
These devices and software are efficient to operate various tasks with less time consuming methods. The growing need of internet enabled devices and rising need of internet connectivity are some of the major factors which are anticipated the positive growth of internet of things in energy sector globally. Technological advancements in semiconductors offer the advantages to develop lightweight and efficient devices which are much smarter than the conventional and heavy devices. Internet of things (IoT) in energy helps the sector to reduce the loss of resources and also help them to optimize the use of available resources through smart grids.
Moreover, rising need of remote monitoring systems and internet enabled devices had supported importance of internet of things (IoT) in energy sector especially in utility and power distribution. These devices and systems enabled to operate efficiently and serve better to consumers.
The growing concern towards energy management is one of the major factors which are fuelling the demand for internet of things (IoT) devices and software.
The connected devices help the users to maintain their lead time and increase their operational efficiency. The demand for power and fuel is growing in developing countries across the globe due to rapid pace infrastructural development. These factors are creating a huge pressure on the energy sector to increase the supply by utilising their resources efficiently.
Further, rapid pace development in energy sector including the power and oil & gas sector is changing the ecosystem of these sectors. Urbanization across the globe is increasing the demand for resources such as fuel, power and others. In addition to this, the robust pace in smart cities and smart infrastructure in various developed countries such as U.S. and others are encouraging the energy sector to adopt advanced technology such as internet of things (IoT).
Moreover, the smart power grids are showcasing a tremendous growth on the back of rapid adoption of IoT in energy. The construction of smart power grids with hundreds of sensors and devices further help the energy sector to increase the response and supply.
Privatization and newer regulations is expected to increase the penetration of internet of things in energy sector. Government authorities are taking initiatives in developing regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe and others to strengthen the energy sector by adopting internet of things (IoT) in energy sector. The setting up of smart cities along with growing concern towards optimisation of resources is bolstering the growth of IoT in energy. However, issues related to security and privacy of data and connectivity of devices is the major restraint for the market which is creating cynicism among the end-use sector.
The global internet of things (IoT) in energy market reached USD 6.8 Billion in 2015 and the market is expected to reach USD 26.5 Billion by 2023
From a field service perspective it is interesting of course to see yet further evidence in the rapid rise of IoT given the comprehensive impact it is set to have on our industry.
To know more about this research visit: http://www.researchnester.com/reports/global-internet-of-things-iot-in-energy-sector-market-global-demand-analysis-opportunity-outlook-2023/256
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