Mack Trucks has built a suite of software and technology offerings, dubbed Mack Fleet Management Services, onto its GuardDog Connect telematics platform that is available on its Pinnacle, Granite and Titan by Mack Class 8 tractor models.
The initial Mack Fleet Management Services offerings come via collaboration with Telogis, a provider of cloud-based software. However, that firm will not be the exclusive provider. The OEM stated that this first set of solutions will “enhance operational performance for customers, reduce costs and increase safety.”
David Pardue, Mack vice president of aftermarket business development, told FleetOwner that the factory-installed, standard hardware underlying its telematics platform for Pinnacle, Granite and Titan models “provides detailed vehicle information, including fleet and compliance management data, to enable the Mack Fleet Management Services suite while eliminating the need for aftermarket hardware purchases and installation costs.
“Our proprietary hardware is covered by our standard chassis warranty and the new software solutions are completely configurable and customizable to a fleet’s business needs,” he continued.
“In addition,” Pardue added, “Mack Fleet Management Services are designed for BYOD—‘bring your own device’—convenience, as the information generated can be accessed by any web-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones.”
John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing, told FleetOwner that while Telogis is powering the initial set of management solutions, the OEM is “in conversation with other leading providers as well.”
Through GuardDog Connect, the Telogis solutions use proprietary Mack data, including driver and vehicle performance history, to generate information for fleet management.
“What we’re doing with se solutions,” said Pardue, “is expanding the vehicle data available [from the existing telematics platform] so that fleets can transition from working with data to receiving information that is actionable and available in real time.”
The OEM provided these descriptions of the three software packages:
- Telogis Compliance and Navigation. “Enables drivers to better manage and meet hours-of-service requirements and complete Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports. Also delivers dynamically updated road conditions collected from an existing community of more than 140,000 commercial drivers in North America, enabling Mack customers to avoid potential delays and helping to increase on-time deliveries.”
- Telogis Fleet. “Comprehensive, scalable fleet management solution that can be activated over the air. Combined with Mack proprietary data, it provides real-time visibility into vehicle and driver performance. Customers can view critical information for all the trucks in their fleets on one dashboard to help run their fleets safely and efficiently.”
- Bundled package. “Combines Telogis Compliance and Navigation with Telogis Fleet.”
Pardue advised that the Telogis solutions are available today and “can be activated on any of the models noted built this year. In addition, for pre-2014 trucks, it can be installed using standard connection hardware. On new trucks, the solutions will be provided free of charge for the first two years and then by subscription.”
“Mack Fleet Management Services offer customers tools to effectively and efficiently manage their operations, improving their total cost of ownership,” said Stephen Roy, president of Mack Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “Integrating technology and services facilitates customer choice and offers them the best return on investment. We are pleased to be working with Telogis out of the gate in providing these types of services.”
“Leveraging the Mack GuardDog Connect telematics solution platform, Mack customers now have the easiest path to comprehensive fleet management, easy-to-use compliance apps and truck-specific navigation from Telogis,” said Susan Heystee, executive vice president, worldwide sales for Telogis.
“Mack customers,” she added, “will experience near-immediate ROI by maximizing uptime and lowering the total cost of ownership.”
As for what’s next for what he describes as “Mack’s uptime strategy,” Walsh told FleetOwner that the OEM is “very close to officially opening our new Uptime Center in Greensboro, NC.”
