Commercial vehicles are becoming increasingly networked, including in the heavy-duty sector. For seamless fleet management, trailer manufacturer Krone from Werlte, Lower Saxony, teamed up with software provider Webfleet just in February 2025. Now, a quarter of a year later, one of Europe's leading trailer specialists also wants to optimize data exchange between individual vehicles. The cooperation with the California-based provider of transport and logistics networking solutions, Platform Science, is helping in this regard. As Krone reports in its press release, the newly agreed "Europe-wide strategic partnership" aims to offer a fully integrated telematics solution for tractor units and trailers. The application is currently being presented at Transport Logistic in Munich until June 5, 2025.
Simplified Handling
Conceived as a uniform solution, all data will be practically visible at the push of a button in the TMS (Transport Management System) without requiring customers to undergo cumbersome setups or activations:
"No more switching between different portals, no more duplicate invoices, and
no additional hardware needed. The result is significant workload relief as well as cost and time savings,"
the report states. Transport and logistics companies will have three packages with graduated functions to choose from.
Lutz Siegert, Country Manager DACH & CEE (Central & East Europe) at Platform Science, believes that with the collaboration, the last step has now been taken on the path to "letting the tractor and trailer merge": utilizing a single telematics solution for the entire semi-trailer becomes significantly easier and "simpler than ever before."
Digitally Valuable
Maximilian Birle, Head of Telematics & Digital Services at Krone, says:
"Our goal is the seamlessly integrated trailer. With Platform Science, we create a solution that is ready to use right from delivery and fully visible in the customer's system."
Furthermore, telematics is said to relieve IT departments and significantly upgrade the trailers "digitally." The three selectable packages are divided into a basic package with GPS tracking and tracing, a
premium package with additional data from the electronic braking system (EBS), the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and door sensors, as well as the "Premium Package Cool," which also includes full cold chain integration with temperature data and sensors.
Upon delivery of the trailer, the system is automatically activated according to the information: all data is transferred into the TMS, where it is immediately visible on the Platform Science environment without requiring additional actions like setup, activation, or contract negotiations:
"Transport and logistics companies receive a solution that is ready to use immediately and have only one contact for questions or concerns."
Moreover, the telematics solution works manufacturer-independently and "open," making it suitable for larger fleets with mixed vehicles. The system can also be combined with various technologies: there is not only a possibility to upgrade older vehicles but also a connection option, for example, to solar units.
According to the information, Krone and Platform Science are interested in
a long-term collaboration and aim for "comprehensive integration, digitalization of fleets, and easy scalability for international fleet operators."
Visitors to the Transport Logistic in Munich can still get a live demonstration of the new trailer telematics solution until June 5, 2025, at the Krone booth in Hall A6, Booth 201/302 and at the Platform Science booth in Hall B1, Booth 101/202.
Founded in 2015 to develop advanced networking solutions for the transportation industry, Platform Science aims to advance fleet management from a single platform. According to its own statements, the US company, which acquired the global transport telematics business from the Technology Group Trimble's Transport & Logistics division only in February 2025, works at every level of the supply chain with leading industry representatives. For the accelerated implementation of advanced networking solutions for transportation or the "transformation of the global transport industry," engine manufacturer Cummins and truck manufacturer Paccar as well as Daimler Truck are, for example, involved with
