DAF Trucks offers new telematics service to customers

DAF Trucks has announced it is to offer a new telematics solution as an integral part of all new DAF repair and maintenance contracts, at no additional cost to customers. The system will be pre-installed on new trucks and it has been specifically tailored for DAF by transport management specialist Microlise.

The new system is said to help pre-empt problems and provide preventative maintenance, thereby aiming to maximise uptime and truck availability. The Microlise platform will enable operators to easily specify their own customised packages to enhance their logistics management, all of which can be priced separately.

The new system will be fitted on all DAF trucks bought with R&M packages: 35 per cent of all new DAFs sold and 100 per cent of all new DAF tractors. Operators will receive a weekly fleet summary report for their vehicles, and they will be able to upgrade to access live data for their fleet, including being able to track and trace vehicles and monitor driving style and fleet utilisation, via a dedicated web portal and a comprehensive suite of reports.

It will also be possible to specify the telematics system for DAF vehicles that are not maintained through a DAF MultiSupport contract. This can include older vehicles and is available for other brands too, for cross-fleet visiblity.

Phil Moon, DAF UK marketing manager, said: “We decided to work with Microlise since their system is fully proven and already in use with some of our customers. The experts at Microlise have been able to specifically tailor the system’s usability in a unique way for DAF customers while retaining its capability to handle a vast range of additional logistics tools.

“Our aim has been to provide a tool which enables easy analysis of essential data about the vehicle and its operation from a maintenance and fuel consumption perspective while allowing operators to add tailor made packages to assist their own individual requirements and thus enhance overall fleet efficiency.”

A key benefit of the technology, DAF says, is to provide insights into driver behaviour, enabling operators to better understand how safely and economically their vehicles are being driven. This information can be used to put in place driver training programmes, where required, as well as fully analysing vehicle fuel consumption under all operational conditions. The system will also help spot developing vehicle issues which may require attention before becoming mission critical, the company claims.