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One Device in the Cab
December, 2014
7399 S Tucson Way, Unit B-1 | Centennial, CO 80112 | www.extendata.com
Executive Summary
Through software advancements and the increased availability of ruggedized Android devices, ExtenData can now offer a solution to the challenge of too many devices in the cab of a truck. Utilizing MobileConductor™, a distribution operation can simplify a driver’s job, increase driver safety, reduce technology maintenance, and lower in-cab costs. Companies with distribution operations need technology advancements to improve their business from many directions. No other solution can offer so many advantages inside the cab of your fleet, the heart of your distribution operation.
The Problem
As ExtenData’s team travels the country speaking with food service, compressed gas and many other types of distributors, a single theme emerges from conversation and requirements gathering. Drivers need a simple solution to a very complex job.
Most Americans don’t realize the complexity of the food supply chain or other supply chains feeding mouths and businesses across the globe. To them a driver is a driver. Her/his only skill is to drive a truck. Ha! We know better. Drivers are increasingly tasked with business critical functions beyond driving and telematics are at the heart of it.
• DOT Logs • Driver vehicle inspection
reports (DVIR) • Hours of service • Proof of delivery • Temperature monitoring • Turn by turn navigation
• Integrated vehicle telematics • Messaging • And more
Successful companies have realized that the old pen and paper system no longer works. In addition, regulations are forcing distributors to install on-board computers and sensors. Technology is once again making life better for our mobile workers. Right? Wrong.
Instead of simplifying the driver’s job, technology has brought us to the opposite side; too much technology. This kind of evolution is common. Think of the smartphone. The smartphone has replaced watches, cameras, pocket calendars, rolodexes, photo albums, land line phones, and a deck of cards. We used to carry that stuff with us on trips, if we could. Now the evolution of technology allows us to slip all that functionality into our pocket. ExtenData has created the smartphone evolution equivalent for the cab of your truck.
One Device in the Cab
To meet our customers’ needs we redesigned our product MobileConductor™. Not only a proof of delivery or direct store delivery application; we turned MobileConductor™ into a dashboard platform allowing many driver applications to be routed into and through it. Now MobileConductor™ serves as the single interface for drivers through work flow based rules and single sign-on into all necessary applications.
Simplifying Driver Processes
The “old way” (as we like to call pre-One Device in the Cab) required drivers to interact with several devices to run needed applications. A cab decked out with all the bells and whistles could have up to six devices; each running their own application.
• GPS Black Box • OBC for HOS/DVIR/Messaging • Turn-by-turn navigation display • Proof of delivery or direct store delivery handheld mobile computer • Mobile printer • Cell phone
A cab with all of these devices and applications is a mess! Imagine the wires alone. Most importantly, a driver with this many devices will be confused, distracted and inefficient.
7399 S Tucson Way, Unit B-1 | Centennial, CO 80112 | www.extendata.com
By reducing the devices to a single handheld mobile device with an easy to use dashboard interface and the GPS Black Box, you nearly eliminate all of the inefficiencies associated with switching back and forth between devices. In addition, MobileConductor™ reduces transition between applications through single sign-on and APIs. Using MobileConductor™’s industry tested driver work flows and the One Device in the Cab platform, you will see significant increases in driver productivity and error reduction. Increasing Driver Safety Driver safety is a hot topic and for good reason. Due to their massive sizes and heavy weights, trucks can cause serious damage and death, should they be involved in an accident. In 2012, there were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds). In the United States, 333,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes during 2012.1 These statistics alone are reason enough to evaluate driver distractions and safety.
Using the MobileConductor™ One Device in the Cab solution eliminates driver distraction by reducing the number of devices that will beep, buzz and talk to the driver. It is human habit to want to interact with the devices, but when you reduce the distractions you reduce the urge to interact with them. In addition, MobileConductor™ can be configured to lock down when the truck is in motion. Using the existing GPS and settings within the system, the application can limit the
other applications available for use after the truck reaches a certain speed. Audible turn by turn navigation and messaging further reduces the need for the driver to divert his attention from the road.
7399 S Tucson Way, Unit B-1 | Centennial, CO 80112 | www.extendata.com
Reducing Technology Failure, Maintenance, and In-Cab Costs As with any hardware and software, it requires maintenance and resources to support the on-going performance of these systems. The more devices and applications an organization has for business critical operations, the more a complex maintenance strategy is required. The infographic on the right outlines the per route costs associated with the “old way”. As outlined, a switch to the One Device in the Cab solution can result in a 37% reduction per route during a two year period. Factor in maintenance and labor costs and the figure would be more like 40-45%.2 Android Makes This Possible Increasingly businesses are looking for consumer type devices for use in rugged environments. While the user interfaces and operating systems provide distinct advantages the durability of such consumer grade devices is questionable for tough mobile workforces. Beginning in 2014, the availability of the Android operating system on ruggedized mobile computers allowed ExtenData to take MobileConductor™ to a new level. To learn more about MobileConductor™ and ExtenData’s solutions, email [email protected] or visit www.extendata.com.
7399 S Tucson Way, Unit B-1 | Centennial, CO 80112 | www.extendata.com
References
1. 2012 LARGE TRUCKS Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2012
2. The information in the infographic is based on industry approximations for a fleet of 20 trucks. All ExtenData proposals are unique and ExtenData does not guarantee the figures illustrated for exact pricing. Please contact an ExtenData representative to receive more accurate figures for your business needs.
