For the most part, fleet telematics systems have been mainly reactive in scope – more of a solution to help fleet managers solve an immediate breakdown or repair crisis. Now, Mack Trucks says it is taking its telematics capabilities to the next level with dynamic maintenance – an enhanced telematics systems that allows fleet managers to be proactive and tailor maintenance programs to meet specific vehicle and operational requirements.

“Mack is focused on providing customers options to improve their total cost of ownership through connected vehicle services. Enhancing maintenance planning utilizing existing vehicle telematics and data analytics is yet another way in which we accomplish this. Vehicle technology and data provide us the capability to ‘customize’ planning so that it’s specific to a vehicle and its operation,” said David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicle and contract services for Mack Trucks. “This enables customers to optimize planned downtime.”

Mack says its dynamic maintenance service further expands the partnership with Noregon, an IoT (Internet of Things) company, specializing in connected vehicle solutions. Mack’s approach uses the Noregon platform to enhance the dealer user interface and brings the decision-making process closer to the customer through the dealer.

Dynamic maintenance leverages data intelligence from vehicle data analytics, combined with enhanced software features from Mack GuardDog Connect telematics, the Noregon platform, and Mack’s Asist service communications process to more accurately reflect planned maintenance needs and replace traditional ‘set mileage scheduled’ plans. 

Currently, dynamic maintenance is targeted to powertrain-related maintenance services. “This is just another step forward in our connected technology journey, and will help our dealers prepare for changing and future vehicle maintenance opportunities,” Pardue said.