Installing telematics systems, video event recorders and mobile applications in the aftermarket is a time-consuming process for motor carriers. Managing the data from these different systems is an even bigger challenge.
Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 11) is harnessing the power and interconnectivity of cloud computing to realize significant time and cost savings.
Currently the Omaha, Nebraska-based carrier is rolling out new capabilities to its own modern cloud-based technology platform to create a single source of fleet management data from connectivity with various proprietary and third party systems.
Safety in the cloud
Werner orders new trucks equipped with a factory-installed Bendix Wingman Fusion safety system. The system uses radar and camera technologies to detect risky events such as lane departures and following distances. When high-risk events are detected, the system transmits video and event data to Werner Edge’s cloud computing system that is built in partnership with Microsoft’s Azure.
If Werner had chosen to install an aftermarket video-based safety system instead, Danny Lilley, the company’s vice president of fleet systems and technology, estimated the cost would be at least double and potentially up to 75% more in monthly fees per truck.
Some aftermarket systems are using offshore resources to review videos for critical events. Werner developed its own Critical Event Management (CEM) system in partnership with Microsoft to automatically parse through video event data to save time and money.
