Qualcomm says its wireless products could enable heavy-equipment manufacturers like Komatsu to further improve customer service and support programs while strengthening their global data networks. For multi-OEM equipment fleet owners like United Rentals, Qualcomm could help optimize asset utilization and reduce owning, operating, maintenance, theft and insurance costs. In addition, heavy-equipment fleets could potentially see improved customer service and new revenue sources, as well as improved productivity of fleet service vehicles.
Qualcomm says it established the wireless heavy-equipment consortium to create standardized mobile communications solutions for the heavy equipment industry with the help of industry-leading manufacturers and fleets. Qualcomm 's consortium will work on development of satellite, terrestrial and multi-mode wireless communications systems based on a common, modular, ruggedized hardware platform.
"We are delighted that two of the world's leading heavy-equipment companies, Komatsu America and United Rentals have joined Qualcomm 's consortium," said Chris Wolfe, president of Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions. "Customers will collectively benefit from the creation of industry standard products and services and our ability to provide extremely rugged hardware and best-in-class network services worldwide."
"With daily technological advancements and the fast pace at which the industry is moving, joining a wireless technology consortium represents the best interest of our customers," said Steve Day, vice president for Komatsu America Sales and Service. "We realize that mobile communications capabilities will play a significant role in the success of our customers in the future, and see value in being able to provide them with a single communication platform for their entire fleet. Joining this consortium in association with other OEMs affords us the best means to realize this goal and creates an avenue to continually provide unsurpassed communication solutions."
"We rent the industry's largest and most diverse fleet, with equipment from most of the major manufacturers," said Fred Bratman, vice president of corporate communications for United Rentals. "It is critical for our business that we be able to effectively manage the fleet through standardized communications regardless of the manufacturer. As part of Qualcomm 's consortium, we can help develop the industry standard that will bring significant benefits to the industry and most importantly to our customers."
Qualcomm says it is currently in discussions with a number of other construction equipment manufacturers and end-user fleets about membership in the wireless heavy equipment consortium.
