Telematics solutions have been around for a while now but never had the big break-through on a wider base. The main argument is that existing systems could never deliver a combined view of mixed equipment fleets on one screen, making it comparable and easy to manage for contractors. Well, that is about to change with the latest efforts of AEM and AEMP in cooperation with Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere and Volvo. Whoever is following the changes with the newest press release on the AEM and AEMP website and the press conference held at Conexpo site yesterday, got the newest scoop.

So how does it work?

There have been 19 data points selected so far that the committee is working on to release. These include fuel consumption, idle time, fault codes, accounting, dispatch and many more. The selection of these 19 points is a result of input from end-users and machine manufacturers. There will be many to follow since these 19 points are just seen as a starting point.

What is nice to see is that data included is demand-driven by contractors as the actual users and customers. Vendors who provide telematics information can go through a certification process offered by AEM/AEMP to make sure that their data can be processed correctly.

When is it available?

Nevertheless, AEM and AEMP haven’t officially committed to any release date there was a vague date mentioned as end of 2014 to have a code ready for downloads from their websites.

Is it a US or international approach?

What was interesting to hear that there is heavy international interest from other associations in Germany like VDBUM, CECE in Europe, CCMA in China, associations from Japan, India and others worldwide, to endorse that standard.

So what’s the benefit for the contractor?

Increased productivity, fuel savings and the ability to better manage mixed fleets with the data provided. AEM and AEMP pointed out that there is a high emphasis on security to make sure that data are save and not visible to others.

What are the next developments?

If you want to push this up another level there are software solutions coming to market now that integrate with the AEM/AEMP standard and provide solutions to even better manage your fleets. Telogis, for example, has introduced at Conexpo 2014 its newest cloud-based platform for heavy equipment.

It’s good to see that there is some movement in telemetric applications and standardization efforts for the construction industry.

Do you think these efforts will push telematics to the next level of wide acceptance and implementation?