Qualcomm Incorporated announced that its division, Qualcomm Enterprise Services, has launched its Exact Fuel application that monitors and transmits fuel level information on the vehicle data bus directly to fleet managers.
With the information, trucking companies can identify discrepancies in fuel levels that may indicate theft, as well as make timelier and more informed fuel stop decisions that reduce out-of-route miles and improve cost efficiencies, the company says.
Initially available for fleets using Qualcomm’s Mobile Computing Platform (MCP) 110 and 200, the Exact Fuel application transmits fuel level, time and location data regularly to fleet managers.
Faced with fluctuating fuel prices that are approaching $4.00 per gallon, fleets are increasingly concerned with fuel theft and shrinkage, says Vikas Jain, vice president of product management and software services at QES.
“On average, most fleets project about one to four percent shrinkage. Assuming a conservative one-percent shrinkage, this would equate to about 55 dollars per month, per vehicle,” he said. “Addressing this threat, Exact Fuel arms fleets with greater insight to yield an immediate return on investment. As the second largest expense for most fleets after payroll, fuel savings can significantly improve an organization’s bottom line.”
Additionally, Qualcomm is exploring future Exact Fuel enhancements with fleet card providers that will help fleets compare fuel purchases with actual fueling levels to accommodate different organizational requirements. Companies can deploy the current application to individual vehicles or fleet-wide through a subscription-based model.
Additionally, QES launched its Trailer ABS Connect application for the Mobile Computing Platform 110 and 200. Trailer ABS Connect delivers information about trailer location and status from Meritor’s trailer and tractor anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to improve fleet management and maintenance.
Targeted specifically to fleets that have not adopted a fully-featured trailer tracking solution, the Trailer ABS Connect application provides fleet managers with trailer and tractor connect and disconnect event information, including: time, date and location of an event; trailer ID; MCP ID; and trailer odometer reading. It also identifies incorrect tractor trailer parings, which can be costly for fleets to correct.
The data collected is received and transmitted seamlessly via Qualcomm’s MCP110 and 200, and can be delivered directly to fleet managers through their dispatch software, enabling them to better monitor maintenance intervals and unauthorized trailer usage, the company says.
“Once trucks are on the road, it becomes increasingly difficult for fleets to track and monitor trailer drops and pickups, which can pose broad revenue and operations implications,” Jain said. “For fleets that don’t require the more robust features of our Trailer Tracking 210 platform, Trailer ABS Connect provides essential visibility into an organization’s tractor and trailer connections to ensure resources are used to the fleet’s best advantage.”
