{"id":12368,"date":"2021-09-18T17:39:45","date_gmt":"2021-09-18T15:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=12368"},"modified":"2021-09-18T17:39:45","modified_gmt":"2021-09-18T15:39:45","slug":"diagnostic-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/09\/18\/diagnostic-software\/","title":{"rendered":"Points to Consider When Selecting Diagnostic Software"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo:\u00a0Manatee County, Florida<\/em><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Fleet Technician Supervisor David Alligood works with another technician to diagnose a compactor at the Manatee County, Florida, landfill operation.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Technology is ever-evolving, leading to innovations that have made it simpler than ever to diagnose vehicle problems and fix them faster. If an operation has a diverse fleet, it can be more difficult to select the right product. Here, fleet managers weigh in on what features have helped them make the right choices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does It Fit Your Fleet\u2019s Needs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it came to selecting diagnostic software, Billy Sterner, CAFM, CEM, fleet & materials service manager for the Fleet Division of the Town of Flower Mound, Texas, sought a solution that would be affordable, easy to update, sustainable, and comprehensive in coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

For fleet divisions that maintain mixed fleets of varying manufacturer brands, Sterner said it\u2019s difficult to find one solution that will provide the information, functionality, and coverage needed to support the total fleet diagnostic need. These mixed fleets typically use a combination of OEM software and generic aftermarket scan tool solutions. The OEM solutions are typically subscription-based with yearly fees and ever-changing hardware requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor many government fleets, this process can create challenges when the software needs to be updated, as most cities and governments have restrictive IT policies that will not allow interaction with outside servers\/databases that are required to update the product,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with multiple OEM software packages comes an array of diagnostic routine and usage instructions for each software. Technicians who work on mixed fleets must also become knowledgeable in how each manufacturer\u2019s software operates. Items such as the file menus and links are hidden throughout the software, and they all have their inherent quirks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic scan tool solutions are a single platform offered by various aftermarket manufacturers designed to accomplish many of the standard diagnostic functions and component activation tests. These scan tools are generally limited to the basic functions the OEMs have allowed the generic scan tool manufacturers to have access to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTechnicians spend a lot of time trying to communicate with these various systems. One heavy truck may require several different software packages such as engine software, transmission software, brake software, instrument cluster software, suspension and body software, and now additional component software for the hydraulic and bed controls, refrigeration controls for refrigerated trailers; the list goes on,\u201d Sterner explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAside from the subscription to the diagnostic software from the OEMs or a generic scan tool, fleets must also have access to repair software such as All-Data, Mitchell, or Identifix. You can pull a code with the diagnostic software, but without a diagnostic test or repair routine for that code, you again face challenges,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as you would think about life expectancy when deciding what vehicles and equipment to buy, Sterner said it\u2019s just as important to determine the same for the technology you are looking at and create a replacement plan. Find out if the manufacturer intends to support the software and\/or scan tool platform in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cManufacturers sometimes claim that a specific platform will be around for X number of years and then discontinue that platform the following year and start selling the next best thing. Fleets are then left holding the bag with nonfunctional, outdated diagnostic software,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sterner recommended seeing if diagnostic software manufacturers have a loaner program so you can \u201ctest drive\u201d the tool. Ask for a list of current users and contact them to see what their experiences have been with the prospective solution. Finally, make use of customer reviews and online resources to see what others are saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will It Improve Uptime?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Equipment availability and readiness are essential to running an efficient fleet. John Eader, fleet maintenance superintendent for the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, said for a municipality, any unit that\u2019s down means timely service isn\u2019t being provided to citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDealerships and truck centers are typically overwhelmed with work themselves; that fire truck which is a huge priority to the city may not be a big priority for them. With the right diagnostic equipment and proper training, we can turn high-priority equipment around much quicker than most outside repair facilities because we can set the priorities and adjust them on the fly as needed,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to justify diagnostic software because without it, it takes much longer to get important vehicles and equipment back out on the road. Eader said he\u2019s found a few features to be the most helpful, including:<\/span><\/p>\n