MAN Opti-Connect
MAN’s Opti-Connect system is an integrated telematics system that can give operators an extraordinary amount of information about their trucks and their drivers.The system is designed to improve efficiency and safety and keep MAN trucks on the road for longer by fine-tuning service times and reporting vehicle health in real time.
Telematics has become an essential tool in running a transport operation efficiently, and MAN Opti-Connect provides you with the key information needed to improve fleet efficiency, minimise costs and reduce planning time so you can get that last-minute order in for the day.
Telematics can also reduce costs by educating drivers on better driving practices, delivering savings on fuel economy and on general vehicle total cost of ownership.
Opti-Connect has been developed in conjunction with British company Microlise, which provides MAN supported telematics solutions for MAN trucks domiciled outside the EU.
While Microlise is a current provider in the Australian telematics space, Opti-Connect has been designed specifically for Australian conditions and Australian trucks. “We are unique in this country,” said Shaun Bell, Technical Support Manager – Truck, for Penske Australia. “Our high ambient conditions, high GCM loads and average vehicle speeds are also are unique, and that is why we need a telematics system designed specifically for MAN vehicles operating in Australia..
Mr Bell added that over 12 months of in field customer trials helped fine-tune the system. “Our higher loads and differing applications affect things like driveline configuration, driving behaviour and overall average fuel consumption, so we’ve been testing in real-world situations with customers to match our system to Australian needs,” he said.
Mr Bell also said the system had to have good coverage for our remote areas. “If we’ve got mobile phone tower access, we’ve got telematics,” he said.
Available for retro fit
MAN Opti-Connect is not only available on new trucks. It can also be retro fitted to any MAN truck from 2003 onwards.
Opti-Connect is a ‘plug-and-play’ system that can be fitted by your dealer and it comes with two years of free data subscription.
Owners can tailor the system’s data dashboards to display aspects like vehicle health, geo-fencing, driver behaviour, fuel usage and more, or any combination to meet their needs.
For example, the health of the vehicle can be monitored so that if something is amiss, a code will be sent to the dealer, the owner or Penske head office. This details the issue and whether it’s safe to continue driving the truck or whether it requires dealer attention, giving the owner the total peace of mind that comes with Opti-Connect protection.
Increased Security
MAN Opti-Connect allows you to effectively lock down your trucks using geofencing.
If a vehicle breaks the geofence, the system alerts you immediately. Opti-Connect also includes an option to receive alerts for things such as when significant changes in fuel levels occur over a short period of time.
Fleet management is no longer just about tracking assets. It’s about understanding what’s happening using the data available and harnessing that knowledge to achieve optimum performance.
MAN Opti-Connect is a comprehensive, connected and easy to use program that supports you to run your business more efficiently and profitably.
For more information about Opti-Connect visit: https://man.com.au/opti-connect
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