Volvo IT testing smartphones to increase efficiency at truck workshops

Volvo IT testing smartphones to increase efficiency at truck workshops

Volvo
IT (http://www.volvoit.com/volvoit/global/en-gb/Pages/Home%20page.aspx)
is currently collaborating with Volvo
Trucks (http://www.volvotrucks.com/trucks/global/en-gb/Pages/home.aspx)
to test the way consumer electronics can be used to streamline work at
service workshops. Mechanics are given access to service instructions
from a smartphone, thereby saving time and enhancing quality.

Volvo Trucks is working the whole time to enhance the quality and
efficiency of its aftersales service. One method that is currently being
tested involves the use of smartphones - a consumer-based technology -
at workshops.

“Smartphones are user-friendly devices that can assist our technicians
at work, while offering our customers better support,” says Bengt
Persson, Senior Vice President Quality and Technical Support at Volvo
Trucks.

Today, the service technicians' need for new skills and information is
constantly increasing, as new technology develops and more truck models
are released onto the market. As trucks chassis are also unique, it is
impossible for technicians to know everything about every vehicle.

Volvo IT can see several advantages to using technologies that are
mainly aimed at the consumer market in new areas.

“Firstly, consumer products are produced in larger volumes, resulting in
a significantly lower price than industrial made-to-order devices.
Secondly, users already have prior knowledge of the way this technology
works and are therefore more likely to embrace it as a new way of
working,” says Kerstin Hanson, project manager at Volvo IT.

With this new concept, which was developed in collaboration between
Volvo IT, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Parts, the chassis unique instructions
will be easily accessible on a technician's very own smartphone. The
information can be delivered either as text or through images and
animation. The benefits are numerous. For example, the animation will
allow instructions to cross language barriers, with obvious benefits for
a company such as Volvo Trucks, which has workshops in more than 140
countries. As smartphones are mobile and easy to carry, they will also
make it easier for technicians always to be updated with the latest
information as they work.

.

“It's great that new technologies can be used to improve and develop our
work,” says Mattias Roos, a service technician at the Volvo Truck Shop
in Gothenburg, who has tested the application. “The concept is very time
efficient and extremely user friendly.”

Last spring, tests were conducted among service technicians in China and
Sweden, with both reporting positive results. Now Volvo Trucks and Volvo
IT are continuing their work to further develop and customise the
application.

“The use of smartphones in service centres is an interesting solution,
which will improve efficiency and ensure the quality of our aftersales
services. We therefore have great hopes of launching the concept in the
near future,” says Bengt Persson.

Facts: Smartphones in workshops

The concept is based on using mobile smartphones to provide technicians
with service instructions. The instructions are in the form of either
text, or images and animation. The advantages of using smartphones are
numerous. One such advantage is the ability of images and animation to
overcome language barriers. Mobile smartphones also offer technicians
easy access to the most up-to-date service instructions.

May 19, 2011

Link to
images (http://icp.llr.se/CumulusE_Z/VTC_ImageGallery/Login2.jsp?assets=
T2011_1142.tif;T2011_1137.tif;T2011_1138.tif;T2011_1139.tif;T2011_1140.t
if;T2011_1141.tif;T2011_1143.tif;T2011_1144.tif)

Link to video (http://volvo.qbrick.com/index.aspx?cid=2&mode=3&mid=627)

Picture captions:

Caption T2011_1137.tif

The instructions on the smartphone show service technicians exactly what
needs to be done. At the same time, it is also easy for them always to
have the smartphone handy while working.

Caption T2011_1138.tif

The service concept delivers information either as text, or through
images and animation. It was developed by Volvo IT in co-operation with
Volvo Trucks and Volvo Parts.

Caption T2011_1139.tif

Images and animation help overcome language barriers, which is a huge
advantage for Volvo Trucks, considering that it has workshops in 140
countries.

Caption T2011_1140.tif

With the new concept, Volvo IT is using a technology that is actually
designed for the consumer market. This means that many service
technicians already have prior knowledge of the way the technology
works.

Caption T2011_1141.tif

The information demands that are imposed on today's technicians are
constantly increasing, as new technology develops and more truck models
are released onto the market.

Caption T2011_1142.tif

“Smartphones are user-friendly devices that can assist our technicians
at work, while offering our customers better support,” says Bengt
Persson, Senior Vice President Quality and Technical Support at Volvo
Trucks.

Caption T2011_1143.tif

“No service technician can keep track of every single part of a truck.
Whenever we're unsure, we can find the necessary information here. This
is sort of our Bible or telephone book,” says service technician Mattias
Roos.

Caption T2011_1144.tif

“Consumer products are produced in larger volumes, resulting in a
significantly lower price than industrial made-to-order devices,” says
Kerstin Hanson, Project Manager at Volvo IT.

For more information contact:

 Jan Strandhede, Corporate Communications, tel +46 31 323 37 15,
jan.strandhede@volvo.com (jan.strandhede@volvo.com)

Volvo Information Technology AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of AB
Volvo. With its roots in the automotive industry, the company today
delivers IT solutions and services for all types of companies and
organisations. Its customers include AB Volvo, Ford Motor Company, Volvo
Car Corporation, SCA, Assa Abloy, the City of Stockholm, the City of
Göteborg and other large operations across multiple industries,
including the public sector. In 2010, Volvo IT's global operations
generated a turnover of SEK 7.5 billion and the company had more than
5,000 employees at more than 35 locations in Europe, North America,
South America and Asia.