Line-Powered vs. Battery-Powered Asset Tracking: Which is Right for Your Business?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Jack

So you’ve decided to remotely track and monitor your assets and equipment. That’s the first step toward more efficient operations along with a drastic reduction in replacement costs for lost or stolen assets.

To get your asset tracking solution up and running, you need the right mix of software applications, hardware devices, and data. The software applications depend on the business problems you need to solve. The tracking devices determine exactly what kind of data you’ll get from your assets, and how often the asset will “ping” you with that information. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating your options:

Does the device need to be powered for long-term or short-term tracking? Do you simply need to track an asset while it’s in transit? (In this case, a Sendum device with 10-15 days of battery life may be the best fit.)
Will the device stay with a single asset over its lifetime, or does it need to be used for multiple assets?
What data do I need from my assets? Is location enough, or do I need to know condition, too?

There are two main types of asset tracking devices: line-powered and battery-powered.

A good rule of thumb for M2M hardware is that the more sensors you have, the more power you use. Therefore, line-powered devices are preferable for any asset that can be line-powered, and these devices provide more data because they are actually embedded inside the assets. But, if no hardwired power source is available, the tracking device will need to be battery powered. Here are some considerations for implementing both types of asset tracking devices.

Line Powered

Ability to monitor location, status, condition, speed, temperature, and runtime of assets.
Device typically stays with one asset, and it never dies because it is line-powered.
Installation involves wiring the tracking device(s) to the asset(s).
Devices are typically less expensive because they do not include a battery.

Battery Powered

Installation is easy, and device can be used for multiple assets.
Device can only last a certain period of time until it needs to be charged.
Battery life is critical. Messages or “pings” are less frequent to help preserve battery life.
You’ll need to secure the tracking device in some way and also keep track of which device is with which asset.

So which asset tracking devices are right for your business and operational needs? Line-powered, battery-powered, or a combination of the two? Get in touch with a representative at Pedigree Technologies—we’ll help you determine which solution is right for your business.

Two Ways Tablets are Transforming Service Delivery

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Ian

The days of reactionary and schedule-based service are giving way to needs-based service delivery.

With a connected service and cloud-based collaboration tools, service vendors now get real-time visibility into their customers’ needs, allowing them to move from reactive to proactive service delivery and allowing them to act as a an extension of their customers’ operations.

It also means service vendors have the ability to prioritize the greatest needs first and to put off or reschedule lower priority and unnecessary service calls. This results in more efficient service delivery and an increase in the overall amount of work that can be done by a more productive and profitable service force.

Here are two ways the new technology paradigm of M2M + cloud + tablet is transforming service delivery:

1. Fuel tanks are calling their fuel wholesaler to tell them how much of what product is needed and in which location when the inventory level triggers the alert. Now his route is optimized by his customers’ inventory.

2. HVAC systems are calling their service company to tell them when the filters are clogged, when equipment efficiency drops, or the costs of operation spike. This has the power to change not just the way service gets delivered, but the very nature of the customer-service vendor relationship.

Third-Generation M2M

The first generation of M2M involved building and networking devices with dedicated applications to get an understanding the condition, location, and needs of mobile and remote operations.

The second generation involved the internet enabling the data and pushing business logic into the cloud to analyze that data.

The latest generation is giving the mobile workforce the tools to do their job in the field where they work. What we are talking about here is M2M 3.0, and it signals the arrival of the long promised age of smart services. If the change in the experience of the business traveler is any indication, field service is about to get a lot simpler and more sophisticated. At least it will for the service companies that use the OneViewPOV tablet applications.

What Smart Business Travel Teaches Us about Service Delivery

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Ian

Arriving at the airport for another week on the road, it struck me just how much business travel has changed in the past 5 years. Even in the enlightened age of the internet-connected mobile phone, the prep drill for the seasoned traveler included the skillful packing of computers, cell phones, boarding passes, books, and iPods, along with various charging devices and cords.

Today I traveled with just a tablet and a smartphone. This consolidated device lets me easily work on the go and still have access to all of the files, content, and resources I need for work and meetings, while storing music, movies, and books to fill the downtime. The wonderful combination of simplification and sophistication gives me all the tools I need to manage my life wherever I’m at with a single device.

While this transformation of the “smart” business traveler is certainly impressive, it pales in comparison to the impact that tablets are having on the mobile workforce. There are millions of people in the delivery, repair, maintenance, and field service business that waste countless hours making multiple trips and truck rolls to fix a problem, or going on service calls that weren’t needed because they didn’t have access to the information about the status of their operations or the needs of their customers to ensure they would show up at the right time, in the right place, with the right stuff. That’s about to change.

The rapid acceptance of the tablet as a business productivity tool, coupled with cloud applications and machine-to-machine (M2M) information is changing the way service is delivered. It means there’s a lot more you can do to manage your operations than just tracking trucks or dispatching drivers.

This gives drivers and field workers route optimization, navigation, in-cab communications, mobile phone, electronic driver logs and hours of service, jobs and work orders, bills of lading, customer ticketing, signature capture, remote monitoring and diagnostics, work history, and maintenance records on a single device, in addition to corporate ERP and back-office applications. Heck, they can even play Angry Birds on their lunch break if their boss lets them.

For these workers, this new technology paradigm of M2M + cloud + tablet means more than simplification and consolidation. It means transformation. Watch for next week’s post, “Two Ways Tablets are Transforming Service Delivery,” to learn more about how this technology works out in the field.

Introducing M2M for Tablets

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jack

You can do much more with your tablet than launch little birds into little pigs. Now you can remotely monitor and manage your operations, too.

Pedigree Technologies announces the release of OneViewPOV, tablet applications for fleet management and field service automation that give field service workers a mobile interface into Pedigree’s award-winning enterprise OneView M2M solutions.

OneViewPOV brings the human interface to M2M, aggregating real-time data from the machine, mobile worker, and operations “points of view” (POV) to streamline compliance, manage logistics, enable better service delivery, and drive revenue.

“The release of OneViewPOV represents a significant milestone in the M2M industry as it brings the human interface to M2M,” says Ian McPherson, Pedigree Technologies Chief Strategy Officer. “Users can now utilize affordable tablets and smartphones to schedule the activities of the mobile workers based on the needs of the equipment and machinery they support, all in an integrated, easy-to-use platform.”

Integrated M2M Solution for Fleet & Field Service Management

With one device, you can optimize performance, safety, and reporting to meet FMCSA compliance regulations and IFTA reporting requirements.

Electronic Onboard Recorder (EOBR) eliminates paper-based log books, increases driver safety, and meets FMCSA requirements.
Electronic HOS tracking and driver logs improve safety and compliance and save time otherwise spent manually tracking driving time.
Fuel purchase form supports IFTA reporting with fuel purchase records, image capture for fuel receipts, and IFTA Compliance Reports.
FMCSA reporting tools and automatic reporting of HOS violations ensure regulatory compliance.
Safe two-way messaging improves communication efficiencies in compliance with FMCSA regulations.
Job scheduling, prioritization, and more efficient routing lowers cost of delivery.
Electronic bill of lading allows workers to record shipment information in the field.
Mobile workers can receive and process work orders for same-day invoicing.

The tablet-based OneViewPOV applications give field service workers a mobile interface into Pedigree Technologies OneView®, an award-winning, cloud-based enterprise M2M solution, powered by real-time machine monitoring across operations.

The OneView M2M application suite helps companies increase operational efficiencies, meet compliance regulations, manage logistics, and maintain equipment from a centralized operations management platform. Find out how OneView can help you streamline and automate your operations. Schedule a custom demo of the OneView solution today!

Looking for the Sweet Spot in M2M

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Ian

The new year isn’t even a month old and we’ve already seen a flurry of activity in the M2M space, from mergers and acquisitions to strategic partnerships. We at Pedigree have certain had our share of “enlightened” conversations with some of the big players who are looking to make even bigger plays in the market.

One thing that has struck me in these conversations is how diverse the opinion is on “what’s needed” to make that bigger play.

For some hardware companies and carriers, it’s a platform to build applications. For platform companies, it’s OEM deals for connected services. For the rest of the carriers, it’s package solutions that their sales force can explain and sell easily, while the software guys are trying to stay ahead of the curve by integrating new devices and tracking tags while moving their applications to tablets and smart phones.

Then, of course, there are the issues of standards, global availability, and the issue no one wants to talk about in polite company–device management and the costs of enablement (hardware, provisioning, installation) that can quickly erode margins.

And this raises an interesting question: where is the sweet spot in M2M?

I would imagine that few people would argue that the device companies are in the sweet spot, even though hardware units are the proxy that the industry uses to measure itself, given the competition and commoditization that threatens all but the most specialized devices.

Conventional wisdom would say that the carriers have the upper hand when it comes to delivering solutions. Because so much of the industry depends on mobility, they have to be part of the solution, and they already service almost every enterprise in the country with cellular or landline service.

The M2M Sweet Spot

We certainly believe that there is value in the hardware and network, but it’s the software that produces actionable information and is really the key to delivering value.

However, if you believe the M2M analysts and pundits in the greater world of Mobile Resource Management (MRM), the real sweet spot is in service enablement.

Service enablement is what turns M2M into a profit center. As the old adage says “people buy things for two reasons: to make money or to save money.” Up until now much of the conversation has been centered on the “save money” side of the ledger. That’s about to change.

The opportunity to use M2M communications to launch value-added services is clearly being embraced by large enterprises, from energy, automotive, medical, agriculture, food and beverage, and just about anyone else that relies on service delivery to support their business. Many of these companies are figuring out that service enablement is the sweet spot for M2M.

Service Chain Management

Over the past year we’ve spent a lot of time developing an integrated solution for service enablement that we call Service Chain Management.

We see this as a world where modular applications can be combined to quickly deliver turnkey solutions and where customers and their service vendors collaborate in the cloud using real time M2M data from their operations.

This is made possible by the profound changes in costs, functionality, and mobile computing that are possible with tablet-based workforce applications that synchronize seamlessly with cloud-based applications to manage enterprise operations.

Stay tuned. We’re hosting a series of webinars to explore these significant changes to the M2M market in the coming weeks in conjunction with the launch of enhanced version the OneView solution and the related POV tablet applications.

Sign up for the webinar Service Chain Management Makes M2M Investments More Profitable to learn how machine-to-machine technology can help you automate the service chain. Sign up today!

M2M for an Integrated View of Operations {VIDEO}

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Jack

M2M alone doesn’t solve business problems.

Making machines and equipment part of the workforce contributes to problem solving, but the solution doesn’t stop there. The data that comes from real-time situational analysis and response powers intelligent operations management and has the biggest impact on your bottom line.

An M2M product that sits in a data silo and caters only to one aspect of operations—such as fleet management, or asset tracking—can’t provide the full 360-degree view of your operations that you need to make the decisions that matter most to your business and your customers.

You need a comprehensive M2M solution that can grow with your business. Like this one.

Find out how Pedigree Technologies OneView® can help you increase uptime, extend equipment life, and save time and money through more efficient operations.

Real-time Facilities Management Reduces Mean Time to Repair {VIDEO}

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jack

Facility managers are constantly bombarded with customer calls, break-fix demands, manual equipment-monitoring processes, and paperwork—documenting what was fixed and who fixed it last to keep record of the machine’s history in addition to the customer’s service record.

Real-time monitoring of equipment helps you detect and resolve potential problems before they become big and expensive problems. Having the right tools in the cloud can help you increase service revenues while decreasing mean time to repair (MTTR) for mechanical equipment failures by up to 80%!

Watch this video to see how I continuously monitor all my assets and equipment—in real time.

With a cloud-based facility service management solution, you can

Continuously monitor all equipment and assets—including critical equipment-health variables—regardless of manufacturer.
Receive exception-based alarms to alert you, your vendors, or your maintenance personnel of the condition.
Get your HVAC technician there faster and with the right parts using remote diagnostics data.
Reduce MTTR and downtime for your customers.
Move to predictive service management for happier customers and more premium service contracts.

Find out how Pedigree Technologies OneView® can help you increase uptime, extend equipment life, and save time and money through more efficient operations.

Value-added Service Boosts Your Customer Base

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jack

You know that your business difference attracts new customers and more dollars, but you may not realize how differentiation also saves you advertising and marketing costs.

Customers value service that goes beyond the call of duty, and they remain loyal when businesses provide it. Exceeding service expectations can relieve you from pumping funds into advertising that might only let customers know you exist.

Value-added service equips you with the most effective advertising strategy possible: word of mouth. Customers will refer people to you because you provide value-added service that differentiates you from competitors. They’ll quickly recognize your value and tell others about it.

What if you could guarantee all customers that they’ll always receive value-added service?

Now you can, because equipment can “call” you for predictive service maintenance before customers get panicked by breakdowns. You’ll have saved the day and assured customers that you’ll do so with each and every piece of equipment they operate. Even better, with this kind of guarantee, you’ll be increasing your revenue engine with higher-value service contracts.

Learn more about Pedigree Technologies’ OneView solution and how it can help you differentiate your service contracting business from the competition. Sign up for a free demo of the OneView solution today!

VIDEO – Jack Gets the Right Trucks with the Right Stuff to the Right Place

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Jack

Wholesale fuel distribution is a business with tight margins, unpredictable fuel market prices and supplier availability, and varying customer inventory.

With wait times and customer delivery preferences wreaking havoc on productivity, how is a fuel distributor supposed to runs operations efficiently while providing value-added services to customers?

Instead of making calls, checking emails, sorting through sticky notes, and doing some creative guesswork, why not make quick decisions based on data that’s available in real time, accessible from any device with an internet connection?

I manage my customers’ fuel inventory and assist with compliance on their behalf with real-time insight from my fuel logistics and management solution. I can see right into my customers’ operations and make sure the right trucks with the right stuff are in the right place.

Check out this video to see how I do it.

Learn more about Pedigree Technologies OneView Fuel Logistics and Management solution. You, too, can increase efficiency and profitability, deliver more fuel, reduce common-carrier load hauls, save on transit fuel expense, and improve cash flow.

Two Ways to Differentiate Your Service Contracting Business from the Competition

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Jack

Let’s face it. Being a service contractor is competitive and costly. When customers sense bigger and better deals elsewhere, they’re gone and your profits go with them.

Here are two things you can do to differentiate your service contracting business from the competition.

1. Provide proactive customer service.

If you could predict and prevent equipment failures, you’d become invaluable to your customers.

They’d make you their go-to vendor for every piece of equipment they operate. You could fix problems, prevent breakdowns, and spare customers from losses they might otherwise blame on you.

So, how are you supposed to know problems exist before the customers report them?

M2M technology enables equipment to notify you when problems arise and gives you the insight needed to respond promptly and effectively. It enables you to provide proactive and predictive customer service.

Rather than hoping customers call you instead of your competitors for service, you’ll know exactly when service is needed—before it’s needed. You’ll improve equipment longevity and efficiency while continuously building customers’ confidence and trust in your business.

Proactive customer service sets you apart from the competition and keeps customers coming back.

Sensor- and cloud-based technology helps service companies and suppliers run operations based on the highest-priority needs of their customers and operations.

Developed by Pedigree Technologies, this process is called Condition-based Service Management. Instead of performing reactive maintenance when equipment fails, the shift to predictive maintenance keeps customers up and running.

2. Increase the number of service contracts and offer premium service plans.

More service contracts lead to higher profits, but what if you could add those contracts without hiring additional staff? What if you could also offer premium contracts, at a higher rate, that guaranteed the equipment you maintain?

By leveraging M2M technology, you’ll know when your equipment needs service before it fails, helping to eliminate downtime.

When upcoming repairs are detected, push notifications can be sent directly to you or your service techs, and remote-diagnosis functionality tells you what the problem is, allowing you to dispatch the right employee with the right parts and skills for the repair.

With your company continuously monitoring critical health indicators for each piece of equipment, your customers can rest assured their operations will stay up and running, and they’ll be willing to pay a premium for that piece of mind.

Learn more about Pedigree Technologies’ OneView solution and how it can help you differentiate your service contracting business from the competition.