When I imagine surly structure workers like my uncle drag puppet and concrete and porta potties around , motortruck loaded up with schnazzy gadgetry is not what I picture . But that ’s exactly what Ford ( and Microsoft ! ) see . Their “ Work Solutions ” concept is n’t even entirely bullshit , either . The characteristic I worker consider clotheshorse would find really utile is Tool Link , an RFID - based prick tracker system — add tags to your tools , and the seam image scanner lets you know if something is missing .
The other features , like the in - sprint computer with Sprint Mobile Broadband and Garmin GPS , are nifty , but I ’m not sure how much usage they would get by their target interview . Maybe the Crew Chief apparatus , which flux up Tool Link with GPS for crew foreman to speedily determine the best gang for a job based on their train and location .
CHICAGO , Feb. 6 , 2008 — Ford is further flourish its ‘ smart ’ feature film for truck customers , announcing today a collection of manufacture - exclusive technology for F - Series trucks and commercial E - Series vans that will aid make byplay proprietor more productive and successful .
Ford Work Solutions delivers four modern features :
An in - dash computer develop with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provide full in high spirits - speed Internet approach via the Sprint Mobile Broadband connection and navigation by Garmin . It ’s the first broadband - capable in - dash computing machine in output . This system allows customers to impress account , check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer web – right on the job site .
Tool Link , a Radio - Frequency Identification ( RFID ) asset trailing arrangement developed
in partnership with DEWALT , the diligence leader in professional powerfulness dick , and ThingMagic , the industry expert on implant RFID engineering science . This enables customers to maintain a detailed real - time stock-taking of the pecker or equipment salt away in the pickup box .
Crew Chief , a fleet telematics and nosology system of rules , which earmark little fleet owners to expeditiously carry off their vehicles , quickly dispatch workers to job sites and keep elaborate fomite maintenance records .
Cable Lock protection system of rules developed in partnership with Master Lock ® , the industry - leading whorl maker , to deter theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the hack .
“ Our truck customers are bright – and they work hard , ” said Mark Fields , Ford ’s president of
The Americas . “ Ford Work Solutions provides truck customer new technologies and puppet
to aid them work even smarter and further encourage their productivity . ”
F - Series has been the best - sell truck in America for 31 class . Two out of every five commercial hand truck sold in the U.S. fag a Ford oval .
For years , hand truck capableness has been measure out in maximum towing and payload rating . The new 2009 Ford F-150 build on that kind of industry - leading capability , offering the most ‘ wise ’ features that make towing and hauling more whippy , easier and safer . Ford Work Solutions adds still another dimension of potentiality for commercial-grade hand truck proprietor .
“ Ford Work Solutions takes productiveness to a novel storey by bringing the office to the job website in
an incorporate , seamless way that only Ford could deliver – with a strong net of industriousness - leading better half like DEWALT , Microsoft , Garmin , Master Lock ® , Magneti Marelli and Sprint , ” said John Felice , ecumenical marketing manager , Ford Division .
Ford Work Solutions feature were develop through paw - on research with contractor and skilled tradespeople in multiple markets around the U.S.
All four Ford Work Solutions will be available this fall on the fresh 2009 Ford F-150 XL , STX , XLT and FX4 trucks ; F - Series Super Duty XL , XLT and FX4 trucks ; and all 2009 E - Series vans . Transit Connect van conjoin the lineup in mid-2009 . In time , several of the lineament will be useable for dealer installing to upgrade Ford Trucks already in serve .
Online On the Job Site
Ford is deliver full incorporate roving office functionality into F - Series truck on the Book of Job internet site – an industry first .
An in - dah figurer , develop with Magneti Marelli , transforms the new 2009 F-150 or
F - Series Super Duty into true roving offices , up to of linking into the business owner ’s main position computer meshing or a home computer via a cellular broadband connectedness .
Users can access existing file on an government agency computer mile from the task site , open a intelligence processing papers , a spreading weather sheet or their business accounting computer program , make updates and impress them in the truck on an available Ford - certified , on - board , Bluetooth - enabled , assault and battery - powered inkjet printer .
Powered by Microsoft Auto , the system provides gamey - speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband web . It works with Bluetooth - enable mobile phones , offering hand - destitute calling with pushing - to - talk spokesperson recognition , access to user phonebooks and the ability to have text message .
The in - elan data processor also includes navigation by Garmin , which come standard with features like re - rout due to building or traffic congestion and points of interest include local flatulence stations and their fuel prices , restaurants , Ford dealerships and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers .
The computer is integrated into the fomite ’s snapper stack , fill up the same space normally occupied by the stock wireless . It is equipped with a 6.5 - inch , eminent - resolution touch concealment ,
two gigabytes of memory , a secure digital expansion slot for additional memory , a USB porthole and
include a wireless keyboard and mouse . A stylus , stored next to the CD time slot , is include for role on the touch silver screen .
The computing gadget is ‘ Built Ford Tough ’ – designed and tested to the same stringent standards as the other part on the hand truck .
trailing Tools
Ford F - Series truck offer customers the most pliant , most accessible pickup boxes in the industry , thanks to course - leading hauling capability , industry - exclusive feature like tailgate
and loge side gradation – as well as a unique technology like Ford Work Solutions Tool Link .
Developed with DEWALT and ThingMagic , Tool Link offers owner the capability to mark and run down high - value dick , safety equipment , material inventory and other of import assets using RFID tags . When the vehicle is run , a pair of RFID feeler , mount in corrosion- and touch on - resistive housings on the inside of the pickup box , glance over the box for the items on a pre - programmed inventory tilt .
The information is transfer to a reader mounted inside the cabriolet and displayed on the in - dash computer screen , alerting the driver if any inventoried tools are not load on the truck .
“ Tool Link increase productivity and make unnecessary money , ” said William Frykman , Ford Work Solutions product and stage business development handler . “ It helps declarer and tradespeople assure they show up at the job site with the right tools for each job- and that they do n’t leave equipment behind . ”
Tool Link comes pre - ladened with several standard tool lists that are well edit to reflect specific types of jobs . The organisation use industry received second - propagation RFID shred that can be fastened to putz or other items and can learn and catalog hundreds of tools or asset in just seconds .
Manage the crowd
Fleet possessor and managers often need to dispatch vehicle quickly for service calls . Ford Work Solutions Crew Chief provides them a telematics and nosology organisation that delivers real - time vehicle location and sustentation tracking , grant them to quickly react to calls and optimally deploy their fleet .
The information is connect to a web - based app , which can be used by a fleet administrator in an place or anywhere there is Internet access – including a Ford Work Solutions in - dash computer .
As an sum up welfare , Crew Chief interfaces with the fomite ’s electric architecture and can monitor numerous diagnostic use , including tire press or check engine light codification .
It also can be programmed to distinguish drug user - set alarm , such as unauthorized use of a vehicle or excessive idling .
The system of rules will also allow for fuel calculation and fuel tax reporting , helping fleet managers and business owners bring off cost more effectively .
Master Lock Keeps Cargo Secure
“ unattackable , lockable depot is important for all customer , ” tell Frykman . “ That ’s why we mold with Master Lock to deliver the Cable Lock , a convenient room to secure items such as toolboxes , air compressor , generators or with child magnate tool that may need to be in the pickup boxwood when the fomite is park . ”
The strong , eight - foot , 10 millimeter sword transmission line is enfold in a protective plastic overlay and is easily woven around toolbox hold or through and around token and then locked to the truck with a cuff - manner clasp .
The clasp can be attached to any of the item in the box seat , any of the tie - down cleat , or merely clamp back onto the cable itself . The ego - retractable cable is stored in a corrosion- and bear upon - insubordinate housing mount to the inside wall at the rear of the pickup corner . The unit is leap - load and habituate a friction mechanism that will lightly shrink back the cable when not in use . Cable Lock is easily instal on virtually any Ford pickup truck .
[ Jalopnik
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