In today's world, technology has revolutionized most aspects of our lives, and the transportation industry is no exception. The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought about a major shift in the transportation industry, with data and analytics being the driving forces behind it. One such technological advancement is the remote monitoring of trucks and other commercial vehicles, enabled by smart engines that are built for the future. 

Remote monitoring is an indispensable tool for fleet managers and truck drivers. They can stay connected while taking full advantage of the data the trucks are producing in real-time to improve safety, improve performance and reduce costs.

What is Remote Monitoring?

Remote monitoring of fleets is a powerful technology that allows fleet managers to keep track of the maintenance status of vehicles and any issues that may arise, no matter where the vehicle is. This allows companies to access real-time data through an online portal to review the status of their fleet. 

Discover more about what remote monitoring is and how it works in transportation. 

How Does Remote Monitoring Benefit Drivers?

A key benefit of remote monitoring for fleets is driver safety. By staying on top of maintenance and responding quickly to developing problems in the various systems there are fewer breakdowns that put drivers in unsafe or uncomfortable situations. 

Drivers also benefit from improved communication with fleet managers. Remote monitoring gives fleet managers real-time updates on deliveries across the enterprise. This allows them to plan the most efficient routes for drivers based on availability, traffic, weather and more. This reduces the likelihood of missed deliveries, unnecessary wait times or breakdowns that affect a driver's ability to get home for the day.

How Does Remote Monitoring Benefit Fleet Managers?

One of the key benefits of remote monitoring is increased visibility. With this technology, fleet managers can access detailed information about each vehicle in their fleet, including its location, fault alerts and repair history to name a few.

This can help them identify areas where they can improve efficiency, such as optimizing routes or reducing idle time.

Integrated remote monitoring tools empower fleet managers to precisely orchestrate event workflows for an entire fleet. This enables real-time adaptation to fleet conditions and shop availability, improving reliability and uptime by prioritizing repairs for when they are most needed. By knowing where vehicles are, fleet managers can also redirect trucks to the closest service location well before a critical fault develops. By keeping a digital record of a vehicle's health history, maintenance personnel can work more effectively, as repeat symptoms can indicate root causes elsewhere in the engine.

In addition to these benefits, remote monitoring can also help companies improve customer service. By providing real-time updates on delivery times and other information, companies can keep customers informed about the status of their shipments and reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or other issues.

What can Cummins Inc. offer?

Remote monitoring of trucks not only benefits carriers and drivers but also provides Cummins with valuable data to improve current and future products.

Cummins' remote diagnostics and predictive service insights, or prognostics, provide real-time remote monitoring and advanced analytics. Prognostics can detect likely component failures before they occur, preventing unplanned downtime, reducing costs, and providing peace of mind.

To learn more about Cummins’ remote monitoring offerings, explore Cummins’ full suite of digital service tools, from software and mobile applications to digital hardware geared to optimize the performance and reliability of your Cummins-powered equipment. Ask your Cummins representative, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or Telematics Service Provider (TSP) about how to sign up for access.