Field Service IT News – April 22, 2014
By Amy Taylor, contributing writer
In the news, Android is giving other operating systems a run for their money in the competition for the top field service platform, and the April Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry is at its highest in two years.
Android: The New Face Of Mobile Field Service Software?
Business 2 Community makes the case for an Android takeover in the market for mobile field service software, as the platform makes major gains as the top operating system for smartphones and tablets. Android gained 62 percent of market share in 2013 in the mobile market, which is 26 percent higher than Apple.
Equipment Leasing And Financing Monthly Confidence Index Remains At A 2-Year High
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the April 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry, finding confidence in the equipment finance market at 65.1, maintaining the highest index level in two years for the second consecutive month. The report is designed to collect leadership data to report a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future.
Texas Reports Big Cost Savings With PrePass Weigh Stations On Highways
Fleet Owner reports the PrePass weigh station is now operating at two Texas weigh stations on northbound and southbound I-35. The service offers e-screening and pre-clearance to commercial vehicles. Three additional sites reported a savings of 5,000 hours last year to the 60,569 trucks that successfully bypassed a PrePass station, which represents $24,228 in fuel savings and $525,799 in operational cost savings.
Field Service IT Talking Points
PYMNTS observes fuel prices charged by trucking fleets and management, asking “What’s Draining Fleet Profits?”
Transport Topics says “Telematics Success ‘Doesn’t Happen Overnight’” and states that the investment should be seen as a long-term strategy.
Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for its Natural Gas Vehicle Grant program, reported Fleet Owner. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will provide up to $20 million over the next three years to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.
The 360-unit city fleet of garbage collection in Evanston, including police vehicles, fire apparatuses, public works and forestry trucks received national recognition for fleet management said Evanston Now. Named one of the “100 best fleets in North America” the city credited its win to its advanced fleet management information system.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Field Service Tech Center.