Whereas TracKing Pro tracks energy consumption, TracKing Smart Trailer collects data on “critical trailer components” such as tyre pressure, brake health, door position, lights, and axle weight.

Scania says that, with “Complete Fleet”, it addresses the fact that many operators have mixed fleets of trucks and trailers of different ages and from different manufacturers.

“By partnering with Phillips Connect, we are integrating innovative real-time tractor-trailer pairing validation directly into any workflow app, scaling a fleet’s existing setup without the need for complex change,” said Jake Fields, co-founder and CTO of Platform Science.

Manufacturers have always cared about what the customer thinks about their products. In the commercial vehicle industry, this is often expressed in terms of economics. Perhaps it needs an industry outsider to make the question of customer satisfaction about empathy instead of, or in addition to, materialism. Recently, I spoke with somebody who is prepared to bring feelings into a conversation that normally deals with facts only – Ali Javidan, the founder and CEO of Range Energy, a startup firm based in Mountain View in California’s Silicon Valley.

The latest update to the TracKing platform is the result of a collaboration with ZF Group which was first announced last year.

Although it is integrating aspects of the two data platforms, Schmitz says AGS will continue to operate independently on the cold chain telematics market.

Phillips products which Inland Trailer will install in its new build trailers include camera systems, ‘Permalite’ interior lighting, and the ‘Smart7’ telematics hardware.

The driver connects to the Rear-Vu camera via a mobile application, allowing the driver to use his phone like a rearview mirror.

‘T/T Pair’ is a 7-way socket which is designed to replace Phillips’ ‘QCS2’ socket for hooking up a semi-trailer to a tractor unit.

The valve cap sensor is screwed directly onto the valve of a bus, truck or trailer tyre and measures the tyre pressure in real time. The data is accessed through the ContiConnect tyre app. This entry-level valve cap solution allows fleet managers quicker and easier tyre management, saving time and boosting profitability.

Idem customers using its fleet management platform now have access to data collected from Thermo King products, including its refrigeration units and its ‘AxlePower’ energy recovery and storage system.

The deal follows on from a framework agreement signed last year, allowing for data transfer between TrailerConnect and TIP’s fleet management platform (‘TIP Insight’).