FleetBoard now becomes more universal

Stuttgart/Munich - FleetBoard is in its technological conception and in the width of the available services an offer, which to this extent only Mercedes-Benz has.

Already with the conception of the Internet-based telematics service before period of one year DaimlerChrysler stressed: Target is to offer a complete supply at vehicle and transport management but no part-supply, like it is in the strongly splintered telematics market at present.

Now further progress results from the large experience in the commercial motor vehicle market, the global company resources and in co-operation with certified system partners. With those results the target to create a total concept for the technical and dispositive fleet management is consistently converted and brought on the market.

FleetBoard supply for all commercial motor vehicle brands 

The FleetBoard driver workstation and the dispositive services for the transport mangement (route planning, job transmittal etc.)  can be built already today brand-independently into all trucks. Thus many FleetBoard advantages are also available to carriers of mixed vehicle fleets.

There are restrictions only with one program complex, the vehicle management (maintenance planning etc.) called FleetBoard "Trucking". A prerequisite for these performances is that the trucks supply also the appropriate data from engine, transmission, brake system and other vehicle components, thus have a modern CAN data bus.

In order to be able to make also here an appropriate supply, as long as the complying endeavour about standardisation is not finished, the DaimlerChrysler AG aquired the Leafield AVM which is resident in England.

This telematics specialist, who belongs to the DaimlerChrysler AG since November 2000, builds subsequently sensors into relevant vehicle components and creates necessary interfaces to analyse the data over the product called VeMis (Vehicle Management information system). Thus DaimlerChrysler is in the position to offer at short notice a brand-independent system for all trucks.

Standardisation of the CAN BUS will be pushed

The second way, which DaimlerChrysler forces, is the standardisation of the CAN bus interface in the truck. For this reason DaimlerChrysler informed itself with Scania, Volvo and MAN to develop a common log for vehicle specifications for use in fleet management systems.

Target is to create an industry standard which should be documented and accessible for everyone. Like that it is possible that further vehicle manufacturers can follow. Implementation date is the year 2002.

Co-operation for semitrailer integration

A further substantial item of FleetBoard in the future will be the integration of the semitrailer data into the FleetBoard services. It will be possible, amongst other things, to receive data concerning  the freight. For example the correctness of the cooling temperature in the luggage semitrailer can be checked, in order to ensure the continuous cooling chain.

Also the technical data of the semitrailer will be available, as soon as the Trailer supplies appropriate data. So information can be queried such as lighting status, brake lining wear, status of the pneumatic cushioning and the tires.

For this reason Timtec Telematic GmbH, a daughter of the Thyssen Krupp company, already developed electronic components, software and telematics services, which can be integrated completely into the service supply by FleetBoard.  By an appropriate co-operation contract with Timtec Telematic GmbH this service can be offered to FleetBoard customers online shortly.

A dynamic co-operation with the DaimlerChrysler AG in this area is already stated by Kögel Fahrzeugwerke AG. The co-operation decided here is non-exclusive, i.e. open for further semitrailer and commercial motor vehicle manufacturers. DaimlerChrysler assumes that CAN buses, whose interfaces are to be standardized to a large extent, will be built into the trailer also in the future.

DaimlerChrysler sees itself as the main engine of this standardisation.

For additional information and news about DaimlerChrysler and FleetBoard please visit

www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

www.fleetboard.com

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