John Deere offers new levels of sophistication in fleet telematics
Three new option levels bring expanded capabilities to the popular JDLink Machine Monitoring System, which construction fleet managers can use to control their fleet operations. The three new operating levels – Advanced, Ultimate and Direct – are available for field or factory installation on 46 models of John Deere construction equipment, including loaders, excavators, articulated dump trucks, backhoe loaders, crawler dozers and motor graders. “With three new levels of options, we are providing our customers with many added features for lowering operating costs, more efficient fleet management, plus increased productivity and uptime,” said Ken Poppe, John Deere Product Marketing Manager of Advanced Technology. “These new versions of JDLink will help fleet managers keep an eye on every relevant detail of their machine’s operation at any given site at any particular moment.” JDLink Machine Monitoring Systems have been developed through a strategic alliance with Qualcomm.
The original JDLink Standard is an all makes and models solution and can be used to cover a contractor’s entire fleet. It automatically collects, transmits and manages machine data which can be viewed at a single password protected website regardless of model or make, or what dealer sold the system. The data allows customers to check machine operation times; track machine locations; and set restrictions on when machines are allowed to run. For maximum efficiency, JDLink can be integrated into virtually any business office management system. JDLink Advanced provides all Standard level features plus a percentage breakdown of machine idling hours vs. working hours. To immediately inform maintenance managers of impending machine problems, Advanced also provides fleet managers dashboard alerts such as low fuel level warnings via Internet, cell phone or pager.
With JDLink Ultimate, a maintenance manager can receive the kind of detailed information needed to extend the economic life of equipment, as well as improve productivity. Machine pressures, temperatures and speeds are captured and displayed in an understandable format that can even be downloaded onto a spreadsheet for further analysis.
JDLink Direct provides most of the same features as Ultimate and gives a customer the ability to download data directly from a piece of equipment, rather than accessing it through the Internet. The Direct option does not include the GPS locator that other levels provide. Many contractors are suspicious of systems that deliver such exacting information about their machines. And it’s easy to see how a manufacturer could use such data to deny a contractor a warranty claim. So instead of skirting the issue, John Deere clearly states that only the contractor has access to JDLink machine data. “Every Deere dealer in the U.S. and Canada is now qualified to sell and support the full suite of JDLink products,” Poppe said. “And if customers want it, financing is available.”
The original JDLink Standard is an all makes and models solution and can be used to cover a contractor’s entire fleet. It automatically collects, transmits and manages machine data which can be viewed at a single password protected website regardless of model or make, or what dealer sold the system. The data allows customers to check machine operation times; track machine locations; and set restrictions on when machines are allowed to run. For maximum efficiency, JDLink can be integrated into virtually any business office management system. JDLink Advanced provides all Standard level features plus a percentage breakdown of machine idling hours vs. working hours. To immediately inform maintenance managers of impending machine problems, Advanced also provides fleet managers dashboard alerts such as low fuel level warnings via Internet, cell phone or pager.
With JDLink Ultimate, a maintenance manager can receive the kind of detailed information needed to extend the economic life of equipment, as well as improve productivity. Machine pressures, temperatures and speeds are captured and displayed in an understandable format that can even be downloaded onto a spreadsheet for further analysis.
JDLink Direct provides most of the same features as Ultimate and gives a customer the ability to download data directly from a piece of equipment, rather than accessing it through the Internet. The Direct option does not include the GPS locator that other levels provide. Many contractors are suspicious of systems that deliver such exacting information about their machines. And it’s easy to see how a manufacturer could use such data to deny a contractor a warranty claim. So instead of skirting the issue, John Deere clearly states that only the contractor has access to JDLink machine data. “Every Deere dealer in the U.S. and Canada is now qualified to sell and support the full suite of JDLink products,” Poppe said. “And if customers want it, financing is available.”
