The agreement was announced at the Automechanika 2016 exhibition in Frankfurt, and will lead to the launch of Knorr-Bremse TruckServices ProFleet Connect.
Knorr-Bremse’s new telematics product range will be available from January 2017 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with availability more widely across Europe scheduled to follow later.
The ProFleet Connect range will be sold directly by Knorr-Bremse and has a development roadmap in place powered by Microlise.
“With TruckServices ProFleet Connect, we are offering more than just a link between the vehicle and the fleet management system,” states Dr Peter Laier, who heads up Knorr-Bremse’s Commercial Vehicle Systems division.
“We are delivering smart services which, based on the collected data, offer added value for fleet operators and drivers alike,” he continues, adding that Knorr-Bremse intends to buld on Microlise’s existing technology and relationships with vehicle manufacturers across Europe.
ProFleet Connect, he says, will become a core component of the Knorr-Bremse Truck Services product range, offering transport service providers the “opportunity to enhance service levels, make operational cost savings, minimise carbon emissions and reduce vehicle wear and tear”.
“We welcome this new cooperation, which offers us a unique opportunity to partner with one of the industry’s best known brands and extend our channel partner programme to increase our footprint in Europe,” comments Nadeem Raza, chief executive of Microlise.