By Dan Carney, contributor
Recognizing that its commercial vehicle customers are as increasingly reliant on communications and information technology as much as cubicle-bound desk jockeys, Ford has developed a suite of technologies and applications aimed at mobile commercial customers it’s calling “Work Solutions.”
These technologies include a theft-proof built-in computer — no more stolen or dropped laptops — and tools for tracking, well, tools, as well as for tracking a truck itself and securing equipment in the beds of pickups to reduce the chance it will be stolen. Work Solutions is a $2,815-add-on cost for pickups, but can be less if buyers pick and choose among the features.
“Ford Work Solutions takes productivity to a new level by bringing the office to the job site in an integrated, seamless way ... with a strong network of industry-leading partners,” said John Felice, Ford’s general marketing manager.
Ford has partnered with DeWalt, Garmin, Master Lock, Microlise, Sprint, Magnetti-Marelli and Microsoft to deliver Work Solutions capabilities. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
Work Solutions’ gadgets are available on Ford’s F-150 light-duty pickups, Super Duty pickups and the upcoming Transit Connect commercial minivan, and some of the components will be available for dealer installation in trucks customers already own.";
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Ford worked with Magnetti-Marelli to develop a touch screen, in-dash computer that runs Microsoft’s Auto operating system which uses open-source applications and Sprint Mobile Broadband for Internet access. The computer routes hands-free phone calls through Bluetooth-enabled connected phones and uses a Garmin navigation system.
According to Ford, it is the first broadband-capable, in-dash computer system in production, and it lets users perform chores such as printing invoices and checking inventories. Running a remote control application, customers can even access information on a computer back in the office for needed information.
The system features a 6.5-inch touch-screen display, 4 gigabytes of RAM, a memory-card slot, a USB port and a wireless keyboard. The in-dash computer costs $1,195 in the pickups. Internet access costs between $25 and $50 a month, depending on data volume. Also available is a battery-powered wireless Bluetooth printer.
The hands-free system supports Sprint’s push-to-talk calling, voice access to users’ phonebooks stored on their phones and the ability to receive text messages. The Garmin navigation system boasts the ability to re-route the driver when there’s traffic congestion and to points of potential interest such as gas stations (with fuel price information available), restaurants, Ford dealers and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers.";
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Tool Link is Ford’s technology for tracking tools, a significant chore for truck-based customers who work in the field. The first object of the system is to help ensure that the truck reaches the frequently distant job site carrying all the tools that will be needed for that job. And just as important, at the end of the day it accounts for all the tools that have been returned to the truck, minimizing the loss of expensive tools that are left behind.
Using technology from DeWalt and RFID readers from ThingMagic, Tool Link lets users compare a tool inventory aboard the truck with a tool list for the scheduled job, helping them make sure that all the tools normally used for that job are on hand. Making the same comparison when leaving the job site ensures that all the tools have made it back into the truck.
The system works by first attaching RFID tags to all tools and equipment. When the tools are in the truck, their ID tags are detected by the RFID readers. Small business owners report that forgetting tools is a significant headache and expense for them and that Tool Link promises to be a valuable aid to them. Tool Link costs $1,120, and you must have the on-board computer to use it.";
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Crew Chief technology lets supervisors keep an eye on Work Solutions-equipped trucks to ensure the “work” portion of the title is performed, by notifying the boss of too much time spent idling, driving outside permitted boundaries or failure to use the seatbelt. This on-board tattle-tale also reports instances of flooring the gas or jamming on the brakes, giving vehicle owners a chance to talk with drivers about the cost of gas and brake pads before the bills begin to accumulate.
Speaking of maintenance costs, Crew Chief records maintenance performance and monitors critical information such as oil pressure, tire pressure and check engine lights to ensure emerging problems are solved before they become more serious and costly.
Crew Chief (cost: $380) relies on support from telematics company Microlise to track the movement of vehicles in customers’ fleets. This lets dispatchers see where all of the customers’ vehicles are at any time, making it easier to redirect the closest truck to a new assignment.
Even the boss has someone looking over his shoulder, so Crew Chief record-keeping is helpful for the company’s accountants to track and minimize expenses. Even more importantly, the records are concrete evidence of costs incurred for tax write-offs come April 15.
";
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Cable Lock (cost: $120) is Ford’s solution for securing valuable equipment in the open bed of its pickups. Developed with Master Lock, Cable Lock is a somewhat low-tech solution to the problem of theft of items like air compressors, tool boxes, generators and large power tools that are too heavy to conveniently remove when the truck is parked.
It uses a Master Lock anchor that attaches to the mounting track for the bed’s tie-down cleats that secures a 10-foot, thick braided steel cable that is wrapped in protective plastic sheathing.
Also visible in the photo (the square plastic object attached to the side of the truck’s bed) is one of the ThingMagic Tool Link RFID readers that detects the tags on tools in the bed for automatic tracking.
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The Garmin navigation system that is built into the in-dash computer system eliminates the potential theft of portable GPS devices while providing the directions needed to help mobile workers find job sites in unfamiliar areas. Thanks to real-time traffic information, the system can route drivers around back-ups to help reach the job site with minimal delay.";
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