Help for fleet managers

By Colin Windell

The new Mercedes-Benz will offer fleet managers significant help via the use Mercedes PRO features, many of which will come standard with the vehicle.

The third generation of the Sprinter, launchedinternationally recently,  blends different technologies and digital services into an overall system solution for numerous applications.

When it comes to fleet and vehicle management, it simplifies administrative tasks and forming the basis for this are the digital services of Mercedes PRO connect in conjunction with the Vehicle Management Tool and a specially developed app. Particular operating convenience is ensured by MBUX – the completely new telematics generation of the Sprinter.

The high-speed internet connection of the new Sprinter is available for the connectivity services of Mercedes PRO – but can also act as a hotspot for separate mobile devices. The advantages of the platform for connectivity solutions range from minimised downtimes as a consequence of proactive maintenance and repair management to clearly presented data for business analysis purposes.

The web-based service for fleet customers, from small trade enterprises to key accounts, links up the fleet manager with all vehicles and drivers in the fleet. This enables assignments to be managed online and vehicle information such as location, fuel level or maintenance intervals to be retrieved virtually in real time.

A total of eight added value packages with connectivity solutions will become available under Mercedes PRO connect:

• Optimized Assistance:
  The services of Mercedes PRO connect allow vehicles to be used more cost-effectively. Servicing and maintenance work can be planned in good time and carried out more efficiently. The result is maximum vehicle availability. Should assistance nonetheless be necessary on the road, customers receive rapid help.
• Efficient Fleet Management:
  The connectivity and fleet solution Mercedes PRO connect supports fleet managers and helps them to maintain a clear view and plan tours quickly and flexibly. With these services, the vehicle's location and status can be ascertained at any time. In this way, predictive and flexible planning can optimise fleet utilisation and therefore improve the productivity of the company.
• Improved Navigation:
  Relevant information such as traffic data in real time, always up-to-date map data and various multimedia and navigation functions make for optimised route planning and a more pleasant journey.
• Efficient Driving Style Analysis:
  This package provides drivers and fleet managers with meaningful data on the driving style. With the help of these data, it is possible to optimise the driving style in terms of fuel consumption and wear. This lowers costs and leads to more cost-effective fleet operation.
• Simplified Fleet Communication:
  The direct connection between the fleet manager and driver makes communication much more efficient, interactive, rapid and unmistakable. The fleet manager is able to send messages to the Mercedes PRO connect app via the Vehicle Management Tool, and allocate assignments. Thanks to the in-vehicle internet connection, other services such as the creation of an internet hotspot are possible.
• Digital Driver's Log:
  Important data related to the fleet are rapidly available. For example, all the data of completed tours are stored in memory and can be accessed by the fleet manager and driver at any time. This helps to optimise routes, and also when separating business from private journeys.
• Remote Control:
  Certain vehicle functions can be remotely controlled. Even if the vehicle is not in sight, it is possible to check whether the doors are locked or power windows are closed.
• Data Interfaces Mercedes-Benz Vans:
  With these data interfaces, Mercedes-Benz vans can be integrated into the already existing fleet management systems of customers. This ensures a clear overview of the entire fleet, even if it contains different vehicle brands. Relevant data can be processed for the vehicles.

The interaction of the packages opens up efficiency potentials for numerous business sectors. For example, shuttle operators can respond more flexibly to various often unforeseeable situations: when a transport assignment is received at headquarters, the fleet manager can consult the vehicle status to find out which vehicle is currently in the customer's area.

An automatically generated message informs the driver where to go and when. This appears both in the onboard MBUX and in the smartphone app. If the driver leaves the vehicle, the flow of information is still maintained. Data input and output are also possible by smartphone.

Should the fuel level be insufficient for the impending assignment, the Navigation Functions provide information about filling stations on the way to the customer, including current fuel prices. Live Traffic Information suggests alternative routes if the standard routes are congested during peak periods. To this end, up-to-date traffic information is automatically integrated into the route guidance.

When carrying passengers, Internet in the Car can make a WLAN hotspot available to make the journey as pleasant or effective as possible.

On completion of a trip, the fleet manager is able to see all the details in the Digital Driver's Log. This provides transparency about the operations of each vehicle. In addition, the manager can use the Eco Monitor to ascertain whether the driver is utilising the economic potentials of the new Sprinter. If not, the manager can speak to the driver about possible ways to improve the personal driving style.

the courier, express and parcel (CEP) sector, fleet managers and drivers face different challenges. On the one hand maximum flexibility is required, but on the other also maximum efficiency and reliability.

Once an assignment is completed, the next one can immediately be transmitted to a mobile phone via the app, and at the same time directly to the vehicle, using the Fleet Communication function. The driver sees the new collection and delivery addresses in the MBUX system. CEP operators also benefit from the analyses made possible by the Digital Driver's Log. In addition, the Eco Monitor values of different drivers can be compared to each other. This creates incentives to use the new Sprinter effectively and economically in its day-to-day work.

Thanks to its connectivity, the Sprinter becomes a communication interface between headquarters and the personnel on the spot. If urgently needed tools are to transported from one construction site to another, for example, a telephone call is no longer necessary. The headquarters of the construction company can send the information directly to the MBUX or the smartphones of the personnel on site using Fleet Communication.

Accompanying a corresponding message, the destination is already recorded in the navigation system of the new Sprinter as a POI – no manual address input is necessary.

"The Sprinter is the first vehicle to have the technical prerequisites to precisely meet the needs of the customer. The necessary telematics have been deeply integrated into the structure of the vehicle. This ensures maximum operational safety. And also that we can use the recorded vehicle data to optimally adapt the packages to the needs of the relevant fleet. In the future this digital portfolio will be continuously expanded with further releases," says Björn Sack, Head of Connectivity and Digital Services at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

The new MBUX multimedia system with a 7-inch or 10,25-inch touchscreen display familiar from the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is used for the first time in the new Sprinter. It is controlled using the steering wheel touch control buttons, the touchscreen or the completely newly developed voice control system. This is activated by keywords, and also registers turns of phrase in everyday speech. The infotainment system responds to the statement "The fuel tank is empty" by suggesting filling stations in the area or along the chosen route.

"With Mercedes-Benz User Experience, the new generation of our high-end infotainment system, we set new standards in the commercial segment. We offer our customers a premium-class user experience: functional, efficient and intelligent. In this way we are also demonstrating how important the digitisation of our business is to us," says Philipp Wex, who is responsible for the "Connected Infotainment" unit at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Note: The facilities and specifications for South African versions of the new Sprinter will be released closer to the actual launch.