Dearborn’s Ford Motor Co. is expanding Ford Telematics, its fleet management and monitoring software, to support all makes and models, regardless of the automaker.
The solution can provide digital data to fleet operators about how their vehicles are being used, unlocking insights to improve employee performance and vehicle health. The new capability is designed to give businesses flexibility to manage their fleets while helping to better manage driver behavior, performance, and compliance goals.
“At Ford, our commitment to fleet customers goes beyond the mix of their fleet,” says Alex Purdy, director of business operations and enterprise connectivity at Ford. “By supporting all makes and models, expanding the capabilities of Ford Telematics and providing complimentary management tools, we’re arming fleet managers with the knowledge they need to maintain uptime and increase productivity across their fleet.”
Ford Telematics allows fleet operators to gather, view, and monitor data from all of their vehicles, allowing managers to analyze all data on a single dashboard and have the ability to improve uptime, monitor performance, and plan maintenance services.
Customers can use the capability on most non-Ford vehicles by using a plug-in device that connects to each vehicle with a wiring harness. Those who deploy electric vehicles also have access to an electric vehicle telematics dashboard, which provides features such as electric-vehicle data, charging reports, and web-based pre-conditioning that can help optimize battery life.
The product’s driver behavior dashboard gives managers a survey of how their vehicles are performing, providing information about trends that involve harsh braking or acceleration, speeds driven over posted limits or fleet-set thresholds, seatbelt use, and idling time. A personal driver score also lets fleet managers see how specific drivers are doing.
Severe incident notifications let fleet operators know when their drivers and vehicles have been involved in an incident in which the airbag is triggered. Email and in-app alerts can relay the driver involved, the location of the crash, and the time. Vehicle misuse notifications enable managers to set operating hours and receive notifications if their vehicles are being used inappropriately during off-hours.
“Because there’s so much data at our fingertips, it’s critical to give fleet managers a clear and simple way to gain insight into their business,” Purdy says. “Ford Telematics gives managers an easy way to break down performance trip by trip, driver by driver, so they can focus on running a safe, productive fleet.”
Ford Telematics gives customers access to information including odometer readings, diagnostic trouble code, and information around oil life, engine hours, and recalls. Later this year, complimentary service will also allow fleets to digitally track and plan maintenance or repair services with local dealers.
The branch continues to expand its offerings and the amount of data it can share, with support for more than 3,800 diagnostic trouble codes. The codes help identify potential issues with vehicles and are coupled with alerts that tell customers whether they should take immediate action.
Ford’s over-the-air update capability will begin with the 2022 F-150, allowing vehicles to receive updates and repairs wirelessly, and reducing the need to visit a dealer for maintenance. The updates can be delivered in the background or scheduled by the driver.
