{"id":11202,"date":"2021-05-20T16:44:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T14:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=11202"},"modified":"2021-05-20T16:44:05","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T14:44:05","slug":"diagnostic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/05\/20\/diagnostic\/","title":{"rendered":"Assessing aftermarket diagnostic solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shops maintaining mixed fleets can benefit from aftermarket solutions that provide broad coverage, easy-to-digest data, and reliable training and support.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There is no disputing the quality of genuine OE parts. In some cases, the same can be said for diagnostic software. However, an aftermarket alternative can be the best, most cost-effective solution for a fleet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs fleet maintenance shops diversify in terms of makes and models, engines, transmissions, braking systems, and now even trailers, they need an OE software for each one,\u201d says Chris Freeman, director of sales\/training HD at Autel, a developer of intelligent diagnostics, detection, and analysis systems. \u201cAs you buy all of these OE software packages, it really starts to stack up over time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A good \u201call makes and models\u201d diagnostic aftermarket solution can help a fleet reduce both cost and complexity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some OE software is rather expensive, says Freeman, who entered the industry as a technician in 1990. First there is the upfront cost, which can obviously add up when a fleet has to purchase numerous OE software platforms. Additionally, when a license expires, the software will often go dark unless the fleet renews it.<\/span><\/p>\n

With some aftermarket solutions, on the other hand, the fleet can continue using the software after its license expires; the fleet will just stop receiving updates. Those updates may or may not be essential to a given fleet. For example, if a smaller fleet plans on running the same trucks for the next several years, updates may not be essential.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the contrary, sometimes a fleet will conclude that updates are <\/i>essential. If so, there are a few other things to scrutinize.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA fleet should purchase an aftermarket tool from a company that invests in continuous enhancements,\u201d says Scott Bolt, director of product management for Noregon, a provider of commercial vehicle diagnostic, repair, and data analytic solutions. \u201cAs new vehicles are introduced and technicians\u2019 needs evolve, the tool must keep pace with coverage and feature updates. Are those updates covered throughout the year for active subscribers? It should be as easy as possible for technicians to run the latest version of the software without waiting on approval for unexpected costs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Computer hardware is another consideration when comparing aftermarket diagnostic solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to think about cost,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cSome laptops wind up obsolete in one or two years. To maximize ROI, it is critical to have rugged, up-to-date hardware and software that is not going to become outdated right away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A solution that covers all bases<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fleets should look for an aftermarket solution that covers all makes and models \u2014 at a level comparable to OE software. Autel\u2019s Freeman says \u201call makes and models\u201d refers to not only engines, but also other vehicle systems including transmissions, brakes, body controllers, ADAS, TPMS, and trailers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fleets should then look for software that is intuitive and relatively easy to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, when connecting Autel\u2019s diagnostic tool to a vehicle, the tool senses which engine it is dealing with, and suggests only tests related to that engine. Some OE software, on the other hand, might show a long list of tests for several of its engine models.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle things like that help a technician become more efficient,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cTo me, that is the true definition of uptime. Data is wonderful. The challenge is how a technician is expected to consume that data. You can give a technician a 55-gallon drum full of data. But if we expect the technician to consume that data with a spoon, how efficient are we really being?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Noregon\u2019s Bolt says fleets should inquire about an aftermarket solution\u2019s graphing and reporting capabilities. Are the reports configurable? Can the user easily print a full total vehicle health report? Can the user define data groups to chart and help diagnose communication issues? These are all features a fleet could find useful to improve shop efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Match features and cost to needs and budget<\/span><\/h3>\n

When comparing aftermarket solutions, fleets must first identify their needs and objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some fleets may simply want the ability to connect to a truck to see what\u2019s wrong. Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops, says these fleets will benefit from a good entry-level diagnostic tool that simply reads fault codes. Diesel Laptops is a provider of both OE and aftermarket diagnostic hardware, software, training, and support.<\/span><\/p>\n

For fleets that want to communicate with their vehicles, mid- and upper-level tools with bidirectional functionality are better options.<\/span><\/p>\n

With respect to mid-level diagnostic tools, Robertson says sticker price could be in the $3,000 to $5,500 range. These tools will perform 75 to 80 percent of dealer-level commands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most popular mid-level solutions do the 12 or 15 most common things a fleet needs to do,\u201d Robertson points out. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about things like injector cutouts, forced regens, and adjusting maximum road speed and cruise speed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On the upper end, Robertson says an aftermarket solution should do at least 95 percent of what the OE tool can do \u2014 and do it on all makes and models.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re talking 100 or more commands,\u201d Robertson says. These tools might cost upwards of $10,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Autel\u2019s MS908CV is one tool at the upper end of the functionality spectrum.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe technician can change system parameters and perform multiplexing functionality on the programming,\u201d Freeman says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Autel also offers its MS906CV, which Freeman refers to as a \u201ctriage tool.\u201d It falls somewhere between entry-level and mid-level functionality. Freeman says it is a great option for fleets with mobile maintenance operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA technician won\u2019t be able to perform injector cutouts, but that\u2019s not what a mobile technician is looking to do anyway,\u201d Freeman relates. \u201cMobile technicians will be able to do things like DPF [diesel particulate filter] forced regens. A technician will also be able to assess what is wrong with the vehicle to determine if it needs to be towed back to the shop, or if it can be fixed in the field.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Solid training and support<\/span><\/h3>\n

The diagnostic tool and software represent just one piece of the puzzle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fleet also needs training \u2014 not only on how to use the diagnostic tool, but also basic technician skills like electrical and aftertreatment,\u201d Diesel Laptops\u2019 Robertson says. \u201cYou also need somebody you can call for help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Training accessibility is another thing to look for in a software vendor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line is that fleets have different needs requiring different diagnostic solutions. When they do their homework and purchase the right aftermarket solution, they can satisfy those needs at a lower cost and with far less complexity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Gregg Wartgow<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.fleetmaintenance.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.<\/p>\n

FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shops maintaining mixed fleets can benefit from aftermarket solutions that provide broad coverage, easy-to-digest data, and reliable training and support. There is no disputing the quality of genuine OE parts. In some cases, the same can be said for diagnostic software. However, an aftermarket alternative can be the best, most cost-effective solution for a fleet….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[181,53],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11202"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11202"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11204,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11202\/revisions\/11204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}