ATS Euromaster is introducing an updated electronic fleet inspection device which it says will radically improve speed and accuracy when recording the condition and wear of approximately 250,000 tyres monthly, for its van and truck fleet customers.
ATS Euromaster is the first company within the Euromaster Group to roll-out the FleetSure tool.
It includes a handheld PDA with an electronic tread depth gauge that is accurate to within 0.1mm, as well as an electronic tyre pressure gauge.
FleetSure uses Bluetooth technology to send precise readings from the two gauges to the handheld device, removing almost any possibility of inaccuracy and enabling faster and more precise fleet inspections.
Previously, tread depth readings were taken using a standard tread depth gauge before manually inputting the readings into an electronic handheld device.
This new technology brings multiple benefits given the number of inspections that take place during hours where daylight is limited or in adverse weather conditions, which can make manually recording accurate readings a challenge.
Once synched with the PDA, data is sent via a 3G connection to ATS Euromaster’s servers, automatically notifying the local ATS Euromaster centre and the customer immediately of the inspection details and any remedial service work required.
David Bull, service quality manager with group operations at ATS Euromaster, said: “When you consider our experienced fleet inspectors check the tyres on more than 50,000 vehicles and trailers each month, a tool which allows us to speed up the process, whilst improving accuracy, is a fantastic resource to be investing in.”
The tool will also allow ATS Euromaster to produce detailed tyre pressure reports, something which has previously only been available as a separate service offering to the customer, at an extra cost.
By having the facility to incorporate the process into its routine fleet inspections, ATS Euromaster expects significantly more fleets to opt for the service – particularly given the positive impact which addressing under and over-inflation can have on tyre safety, performance, longevity and fuel economy.
Bull explained: “Fleet managers and operators will be able to take a more holistic view of their fleet’s overall tyre condition because our reporting with FleetSure will be much more detailed, and will help to make their job easier.”
Reporting features will include the percentage of different tyre brands on a given fleet, the percentage of new tyres in service versus remoulds, how many tyres have been regrooved and how many will need replacing imminently, allowing fleets to accurately budget for tyre replacement.
“By combining our tyre expertise with the latest technology we will deliver tangible benefits for customers and make their tyre management simpler and more effective – particularly for those with multi-sited operations or where the fleet manager isn’t regularly seeing the entire vehicle parc,” said Bull.
After a successful pilot in March 2013, ATS Euromaster’s team of 40 dedicated fleet inspectors have begun using the tool, which is manufactured by TyreCheck, this month.
This team inspects more than 340 commercial vehicle fleets every month, visiting approximately 2,500 locations nationwide.
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