NEXIQ Technologies Launches eTechnician, Uniting Service Bays, Commercial Vehicles and Fleet Operations
MANCHESTER, N.H.--Oct. 15, 2001---- Telematics Offering Enables Remote Diagnostics and Maintenance
for Commercial Vehicles --
NEXIQ Technologies (OTCBB: NEXQ), a 20-year leader in providing diagnostic tools for commercial vehicles, has announced the introduction of eTechnician(TM), a wireless maintenance, diagnostic and vehicle connectivity telematics system for commercial vehicles. eTechnician builds on NEXIQ Technologies's facility-based vehicle diagnostics business to complete a comprehensive facility- and vehicle-based array of diagnostics and operations management services.
"With the launch of eTechnician, NEXIQ continues the trend of introducing first-to-market products that support an industry that is constantly evolving through technology advances," stated John Allard, NEXIQ Technologies chairman and CEO. "eTechnician leverages NEXIQ Technologies's extensive knowledge of facility-based vehicle diagnostics into the rapidly emerging market of telematics and remote diagnostic offerings among the U.S. market of 11.8 million commercial vehicles."
Market Overview
There is currently a shortage of 60,000 qualified technicians to service commercial vehicles, with demand increasing on an annual basis. There is also a need to integrate fleet, vehicle and component OEM operations into the corporate information management structure. Therefore, diagnostic and command and control systems and products must do more to solve problems and offer solutions remotely and electronically.
In the past, maintaining optimum performance meant taking trucks off the road and into service bays for scheduled maintenance, diagnostics monitoring and parameter modifications. Through the eTechnician remote diagnostics system, commercial vehicles are able to stay on the road, generating revenues. eTechnician is the first service to allow remote diagnostics and command and control functions anytime, anywhere, while vehicles remain on the road.
eTechnician Overview
eTechnician is a real-time, remote, wireless command and control solution delivered through an Application Service Provider (ASP), enabling the remote monitoring, diagnosis and reprogramming of commercial vehicles, regardless of location. It unites, for the first time, the service bay, vehicles and fleet operations and continuously monitors up to 600 data points on a vehicle, allowing for the easy management of fleet operations, maintenance and location tracking.
eTechnician meets numerous challenges of vehicle owners, leasing organizations, OEMs, vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers, service outlets and facilities and fleet managers by providing real-time data on vehicle maintenance, fuel use, driver use/abuse, vehicle location and more. As a result of these benefits, eTechnician users can achieve:
--Increased vehicle uptime;
--Lowered maintenance costs;
--Lowered warranty costs;
--Preordering of parts when a vehicle is scheduled for maintenance;
--Elimination of non-scheduled maintenance and repairs; and
--The ability to overcome the industry-wide shortage of 60,000 qualified mechanics.
eTechnician's Internet-based browser interface uses a combination of on-board components, satellite/cellular connectivity and a powerful central data warehouse, enabling remote access to parameter changes. Some of the applications built into the eTechnician service include remote diagnostics, vehicle location, alert notifications, vehicle configuration, vehicle mileage capture, use and wear data on vehicle components, enhanced data storage, fuel economy and route management through mobile dispatch.
In addition, eTechnician's scalability enables users to begin by deploying base level services, while allowing them to add features and functions as demand and payback are realized. It can support a variety of different users and is capable of hosting and/or linking NEXIQ or 3rd party applications.
A powerful and comprehensive Wireless Communications Framework (WCF) supports the eTechnician communication between the ASP facility and the vehicle. The WCF allows the use of different networks, as well as the ability to have a satellite and a terrestrial system simultaneously, with the least cost routing rules that allow the utilization of the system on a cost versus critical prioritization basis.
Availability and Demonstrations
eTechnician is available immediately by contacting NEXIQ Technologies sales at 800-639-6774.
NEXIQ Technologies will be demonstrating eTechnician at booth #230 during the 2001 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition in Nashville, Tenn. from October 28 - 31, 2001.
About NEXIQ Technologies
NEXIQ Technologies (OTCBB: NEXQ) has 20 years of experience developing, manufacturing and selling facilities-based diagnostics hardware and software hand held tools for use in heavy-duty vehicle and automotive service centers. NEXIQ Technologies is a leading provider of diagnostic products, information management solutions and wireless, Internet-based telematics solutions for the automotive and commercial vehicle industry. As a result of the Company's intellectual property ownership and diagnostics expertise in transportation, NEXIQ is uniquely qualified to deliver information technology solutions to leading truck, automotive and component OEMs, fleet operators, truck leasing companies as well as to dealer service centers in the commercial vehicle market. NEXIQ world headquarters are in Manchester, New Hampshire. Product and services operations are headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with significant software operations in Coralville, Iowa. Additional information on NEXIQ Technologies can be found on the World Wide Web at www.nexiq.com.
