The heavy vehicle aftermarket has changed. The tent that is “aftermarket” has expanded to include new definitions of who is an aftermarket provider. It isn’t just hard parts in the traditional manufacturer, distributor, jobber, service operation supply chain.
The aftermarket is technology service providers and aftermarket fleet software providers now. And they have moved so far beyond just the driver tracking, GPS, dots-on-a-map capabilities, that you can evaluate a system for fleet needs you may not even have yet.
Benefits of aftermarket-provided software systems:
- Customer-focused products unique to your needs;
- A wide variety of providers;
- Competitive pricing;
- Cutting-edge solutions you didn’t even know you needed; and
- Ownership of your data. Service contracts are much more flexible in negotiations, allowing for you—the fleet—to own, access and control your own data.
How to identify the best, cutting-edge program for your fleet today
Questions you should ask include:
Can it do the basics?
Determining what your basics are can vary by fleet, but there are some generalities you can use, including: driver tracking, GPS, compatibility with the J1939 SAE standard, fuel monitoring, speed monitoring, etc.
Do you like the user interface (UI)?
Prioritize a UI with a dashboard that prioritizes ease of navigation and quick access to your most-used tools and analytics.
What is the operating system?
Seems basic, but it can get tricky, especially when looking for advanced functionalities. Does your fleet use Microsoft or Apple products in general? What types of operating systems are some of your other diagnostics tools using? This will assist in integration and functionality. Also, if the software system offers an app, is the app equally as functional for Android as it is for Apple? Be sure to test this before making a decision.
Does it integrate with all of my fleet vehicles and maintenance equipment systems?
More than likely, you are running a mixed fleet, so does the software function the same across all of your various vehicle systems? Can you get the same data from each vehicle, at the same speed and quality? Don’t forget to add in the different systems you are using across fleet maintenance—scan tools and the corresponding software, tire balancing and inflation systems, etc. Companies like Microsoft have developed platforms that allow a company to bring together multiple independent tools and software systems into one functional location. Can they integrate, or is the software developer willing to work with you to create integration?
What is the cost?
The best question to ask, because your agreement could unknowingly restrict the number of users or vehicles that your subscription can accommodate.
What else can it do?
Evaluating a software system by asking this question can go a couple ways. You want to avoid paying for a software developer’s great ideas that ultimately do nothing for your operations.
Determine if the system can be adapted to your fleet. By identifying your needs and “like-to-haves” upfront, you will be able to quickly decipher if it meets your needs or if the company can work with you to make it meet your needs. A system that isn’t flexible to the customer will probably cause you issues down the road.
The aftermarket has it all
Fleet software systems don’t just track trucks on a map; they are comprehensive, fully integrated platforms. Imagine a system that: generates your maintenance schedules; tracks how the truck is running; incorporates the ELD data; sends drivers text reminders for rest or maintenance; knows your emissions outputs and the driver’s BASIC scores; combines sensor and camera data; suggests real-time driver training methods to correct behavior on the road; tells you if your diagnostics tool is working properly; and allows you to order parts from your distributor ahead of the vehicle arriving in a bay.
Just imagine that, and then go find the aftermarket fleet software solution that provides it.
