ZF Aftermarket makes vehicle servicing smarter

New "digital screwdriver" controls mixed fleets digitally and increases efficiency

ZF Aftermarket makes vehicle servicing smarter
The digital transformation has now reached the automotive aftermarket.

At Automechanika Frankfurt, ZF Friedrichshafen AG’s Aftermarket division presented its fleet management tool ZF Car Connect as well as ZF Smart Service, a “digital screwdriver” for independent workshops.

In the future, one decisive success factor for workshops and fleet operators will be their ability to align their services efficiently with data-based information.

ZF’s open connectivity platform openmatics, which operates independent from vehicle manufacturers, builds the base for an intelligent digital ecosystem.

The open telematics service offers workshops and fleet operators various solutions to intelligently interconnect vehicles and carry out data-based diagnoses.

Helmut Ernst, head of the ZF Aftermarket division, said: “This gives our customers and partners the chance to use digitalization to their advantage, to develop new business models and a more attractive service portfolio.”

In the future, with ZF Smart Service ZF Aftermarket will offer independent workshops an app that allows mechanics to carry out reliable vehicle diagnoses and basic maintenance work using mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Having undergone a successful, large scale pilot across Great Britain, the next step will be to introduce the innovative product to other European markets, and thereafter worldwide.

Helmut Ernst added: “We know that in the past, many independent workshops have shied away from investing in expensive stationary diagnostic units.

“With ZF Smart Service, we have developed a particularly efficient workshop tool, a digital screwdriver, if you like, that no tool box should be without.

“The resonance on the GB test market shows that workshops agree.”

Workshop employees just load the Smart Service app on their mobile devices, connect the smart service device using the vehicle’s OBD interface and can then carry out extensive vehicle diagnoses.

Communication between the smart service device and the app is similarly uncomplicated as it is carried out via Bluetooth.

ZF Smart Service additionally allows workshop employees to carry out basic maintenance work such as oil changes, replacing brakes or resetting breather pipes and steering angle sensors.

The app covers a wide range of vehicles from European, North American and Asian markets.

In Germany, Global Automotive Service GmbH (G.A.S.) has joined forces with ZF Aftermarket.

As a company that carries out service management on behalf of large fleet owners, utilizing the Openmatics
telematics platform allows the G.A.S. automobile service network to offer its fleet and leasing customers a higher level of service.

With ZF Car Connect, ZF Aftermarket offers operators of mixed fleets a new, digital service level and allows them to optimally align their fleets.

“With Openmatics, we are setting new telematics standards on the free market – especially with regard to managing mixed fleets.

“For Global Automotive Service GmbH (G.A.S.), this makes us the ideal partner as we are helping it position itself in a more future- and service-oriented manner,” says Helmut Ernst, head of the ZF Aftermarket division.

New services, innovative products and a sound transfer of know-how –this is how ZF Aftermarket supports its customers on their road to digital transformation.

Helmut Ernst adds: “Digitalization offers great opportunities.

“To maximize these opportunities we have to really focus on customer expectations and in the future, offer
personalized mobility services.

“Openmatics provides the ideal platform for this.”

By mastering the interaction of sensors, control units and vehicle motion control, ZF has gained a strong market position with its claim “see.think. act.”.

For further information about ZF, click ‘more details’ below.

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.