Last week, General Motors’ fleet and commercial operations introduced Business Bridge – a new product for fleets. Business Bridge uses the factory-installed Vehicle Communication Platform (VCP) module to monitor, store, transmit, and receive important date for fleet monitoring. According to GM, “the VCP is an electronic module that enables a variety of communication functions within the vehicle, as well as communication to and from external entities.”
Here’s a use-case scenario: a driver calls in and reports an active check engine light. The fleet manager walks over to a computer and opens up Business Bridge, which contacts the VCP in the vehicle and requests information. The VCP sends off the data it recorded, thereby enabling the fleet manager to make a decision.
Joyce Mattman, director of Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles, GM Fleet, and Commercial Operations, said:
“We created this technology with our fleet customers in mind after numerous one-on-one discussions with end-users and Fleet Management Companies. It became apparent that the smart thing was to provide raw data and allow our customers with existing systems, staffs and relationships to analyze the data in a meaningful way for the best customer value.”
Two packages will be available for fleets: the basic package, due out next month, will offer data including mileage, oil life remaining, tire pressure, and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) for the engine and transmission. The enhanced package, which includes the basic package and more data, will be released in the fall.
Hit up the break for the full presser.
GM Fleet and Commercial Operations Introduces Business Bridge
New Commercial Telematics System Streamlines Customer Integration of Vehicle Data
2010-05-18
DETROIT – General Motors Fleet and Commercial Operations today announced Business BridgeSM, a new tool allowing fleets the ability to integrate specific vehicle operational and maintenance data into their internal systems for further analysis.
Business Bridge uses the integrated Vehicle Communications Platform (VCP), factory installed in the vehicle, to monitor, store, transmit and receive data that is deemed essential for fleet vehicle monitoring. The VCP is an electronic module that enables a variety of communication functions within the vehicle, as well as communication to and from external entities.
“We created this technology with our fleet customers in mind after numerous one-on-one discussions with end-users and Fleet Management Companies,” said Joyce Mattman, director of Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “It became apparent that the smart thing was to provide raw data and allow our customers with existing systems, staffs and relationships to analyze the data in a meaningful way for the best customer value.”
The Basic Package will be available June 2010, providing raw data about each vehicle in the fleet, including vehicle mileage, percent oil life remaining, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) from the engine and transmission modules, and tire pressures – both actual and recommended. An Enhanced Package will be available in the fall that will offer additional raw data.
“This is an exciting new territory to be working in because today’s technology is allowing us to provide our customers with more services than ever before,” said Mattman.
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
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