According to Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services GmbH, the company has introduced a new web-based platform for commercial vehicle fleets with Fleet Pilot. It replaces the previous portal connect business and is intended to provide fleet managers with a complete overview of all relevant metrics of their vehicles. The solution aggregates data in real time and presents them in dashboards, graphics and tables. The aim is to simplify the management of fleet processes, make vehicle operations more efficient and detect maintenance needs at an early stage.
The portal is aimed at companies that want to digitally manage and monitor their vehicle fleets. After registration, users can test the system free of charge with their own fleets until the end of the following calendar month. Existing users of the predecessor portal were automatically and at no additional cost migrated to the new platform, according to the manufacturer.
Ready to use without retrofitting
A central feature of the new system is that it does
not require any technical retrofitting. The communication module required for data transmission is factory-installed in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The portal also supports vehicles from other manufacturers, provided the respective brand and service are stored in the system. In this way, the provider is responding to the growing number of mixed fleets.
The platform is currently usable in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. An expansion to further European markets is planned according to the company.
Four digital services for the fleet
Fleet Pilot offers four functional areas that can be activated independently for the vehicle level. The service Location Tracking and Geofencing enables precise location determination and the setting up of virtual zones. If any of these boundaries is crossed by a vehicle, the system automatically triggers a notification.
The trips list serves to analyze route trajectories and driving habits. In a map view, users can trace routes—the so-called “Snail Trail”—and export the data.
With
the Vehicle Condition module, the technical status of the fleet can be monitored. According to Mercedes-Benz, the system informs about upcoming maintenance and wear indicators, such as for brakes or service intervals.
The Efficiency and Trends area presents consumption and mileage data graphically. On this basis, fleet managers can identify which vehicles operate particularly economically and where optimization potential exists.
Security and data protection in focus
According to the company, the portal meets the group's high security and data protection standards. Vehicle data are transmitted to the servers encrypted over the mobile network. The communications module installed in the vehicle is equipped with a crash-safe SIM card.
In addition, the provider continuously tests the security of the systems through external audits. Customers always learn which information is collected for what purpose and can decide freely about it. Two security levels ensure the availability, integrity and confidentiality of the information, according to Mercedes-Benz.
Ongoing development and integration
The manufacturer plans to
continuously expand the system. In the future, additional services such as the Mercedes-Benz Van Uptime Monitor or online booking for service appointments are to be integrated into the platform. In this way, the provider aims to digitally network fleet processes and make workflows controllable from a central environment.
What does that mean?
With Fleet Pilot, the manufacturer expands its digital offering with a tool designed to empower fleet managers to use data more efficiently. For fleets with vehicles from multiple brands, the announced multi-brand capability is a step toward practicality. Whether integration of other manufacturers on a broad scale will actually succeed remains to be seen.
For corporate mobility overall, the step shows that vehicle connectivity is increasingly understood as part of sustainable fleet strategies. Transparent consumption data, planned maintenance and an optimized use of vehicle resources are essential building blocks to reduce CO₂ emissions and costs alike—regardless of whether the drive is electric or conventional. (av, source: Mercedes-Benz AG)
