Ford Telematics will be available to fleet customers in May as a dealer-installed option, offered through Ford's network of Transit Centres.
The system is operated and powered by Telogis, and is an extension of the relationship which has seen Telogis powering Ford's telematics solutions in the US and Canada.
Ford Telematics uses real-time information streamed from each vehicle to give fleet managers information on vehicle location, fuel consumption, driver behaviour, and provide safety and maintenance alerts.
The system gives operators direct access to vehicle diagnostic information and will, says Ford, enable fleet managers to plan maintenance schedules that correspond to real-time vehicle health status, and receive notice for unplanned servicing to minimise downtime, lower potential repair costs and increase overall productivity.
"Ford Telematics is an innovative way to deliver reductions in cost of ownership for businesses that operate Ford's Transit commercial vehicles," says Paul McDermott, Ford's manager of CV aftersales.
"Real-time vehicle location and diagnostic data provides fleet customers with a powerful tool to manage their vehicles more effectively and also encourage safer driving."
Vehicle data and metrics is transmitted securely to a dedicated Telogis website via an embedded cellular connection. The system's ability to access proprietary Ford vehicle data enables operators to track details such as oil change warnings, water contamination in diesel fuel, tyre pressure, safety belt usage and airbag status.
"The reality of being able to see field staff and the performance of each Ford vehicle – all on one screen – is here," said Paul Reynolds, automotive director at Telogis.