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NORTHERN INNOVATION

20th September 2007
Page 62
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Page 62, 20th September 2007 — NORTHERN INNOVATION
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Colin Barnett visited Leyland to see Dal's latest offerings — from 'one-stop bodies' to online fleet service record systems.

On-line bodies

With new truck lead times extending to a year and more, the last thing an operator wants is for his shiny new purchase to spend another two months having its body fitted. Add the imminent complications of Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) and the ease of ordering a complete bodied vehicle with one order and one warranty, and you can see the growing attraction of the 'one-stop body' concept.Any chassis maker worth its salt now has such a scheme, but only one has a true online system.

Daf previewed its ready-to-wear range at the NEC show in April and production is now in full swing.The line-up has started in a relatively modest way. initially providing curtainsider and box bodies for the LF45 7.5-tonner. However, early next year will see the introduction of bodies for trucks up to 12 tonnes GVW, followed a few months later by an 18-tonne version.

Production at Leyland has gradually become more efficient, having risen from 39 vehicles a day in 1999 to a forecast 85 a week by this October.This has still left production line space for a dedicated body assembly line running in parallel with the end of the main truck assembly line. It produces eight bodies a day, which are mounted on the completed chassis before the final quality control process. This means that adding a body doesn't increase the delivery time. Daf has deliberately chosen only the most popular bodies made to a conservative design and using as many of its existing component suppliers as possible.

Both bodies feature conventional construction on a galvanised steel sub-frame. The curtainsider features double rear doors and an optional Ratcliff folding tail-lift.The box body features the same with the choice of roller shutter door and a Ratcliff column lift. When WVTA arrives, the registering dealer will be responsible for signing off compliance, eliminating any potential disputes over liability.

Software

There's more to running a truck manufacturing company these days than just manufacturing trucks. You need to provide a whole support package and this. inevitably, includes computers. Daf has launched three new software products aimed at improving various elements of the operator/dealer relationship.

DAFcheck is an online fleet service record system, designed to be used by Daf dealers but instantly accessible by operators. No longer will you need grubby, oil-stained workshop service sheets posted to you and kept in a battered filing cabinet, with a key that goes missing whenever Vosa knocks on the door. Novv, technicians can enter your data on a grubby. oilstained computer, but you can access it from anywhere with internet access.

Each Daf dealer is set up with one of three different types of touch-screen computer terminal at their workplace.An intelligent data entry system allows them to note completed tasks, including repairs effected, and highlight any tasks incomplete or awaiting authorisation. When the job is complete, an electronic signature is added before the process is handed over to the supervisor for final sign-off. Once completed and stored on a secure server, the operator can leave the record there, or save or print a local copy. A major attraction is its approval by Vosa as the primary means of record keeping, and it's technically possible for Vosa staff to see your records without leaving their office —although this would require your co-operation.The free-of-charge system looks like an undoubted benefit to any operator with trucks maintained within the Daf network.

While DAFcheck is a relatively modest package. DAEconnect is a bit of a monster in its scope. Aimed at fleet workshop management, it is a complete Windows package to run a truck workshop and parts operation. We could spend a whole issue describing its abilities (in fact the frustrated Dal man was dragged screaming from describing them to a group of journalists ready for their lunch), hut here are a few of its features: • Managing maintenance records for vehicles, trailers and other plant and equipment • Creating and managing job sheets with pre-defined input of regular tasks • Parts and labour invoicing • Parts inventory control with automatic re-ordering • Warranty management • Extensive reporting facilities • Preventive maintenance scheduling • Optional bar code printing and reading Daf describes it as comprehensive and this is no exaggeration.There is an initial set-up cost of £2,000 for the product,and an on-going licence fee of £200 a year, but it seems highly competitive with rival products. Daf is completely open about what it gets out of it, which is information about how much you pay your various suppliers for your parts purchases.As this can only result in Daf offering to supply your parts at a lower price, it's hard to see anyone having an ethical issue with this. See your local Daf dealer for more comprehensive information.

The final weapon in Daf s updated IT armoury is a new PDA-based communications system for the DAFaid service van fleet.An integral satellite tracking system will show the location of the nearest van to a stricken truck, allowing control centre staff to speed up response times. On the road, once a technician has accepted a job. he will have full access to vehicle details and history, while the satellite sends him to the location. •

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