All Volvo trucks with ’07 engines come with instant access to technical expertise and round-the-clock service support as standard features. That is because Volvo Link two-way satellite
communications and Volvo Action Service (VAS) 24/7 roadside assistance service will be standard on Volvo trucks with new ’07 engines.
This combination puts a Volvo technician in the cab with each driver, while also putting a wealth of information about truck and driver performance on fleet managers’ desktops. This combination also gives fleet managers powerful new tools to monitor the productivity and performance of vehicles and drivers
Volvo Link Sentry allows remote monitoring of driver and truck efficiency by transmitting information from the truck to Volvo technical personnel while the truck is in operation. In conjunction with Sentry, Volvo will also provide access to Volvo Action Service (VAS), Volvo’s round-the-clock roadside assistance service “This system combines early warning of potential trouble with technical counsel and a round-the-clock customer support system,” said Scott Kress, senior vice president, sales & marketing. “It has the added benefit of giving us a real-time status report on how our new engines are performing. It also gives drivers the reassurance to know that help is only a phone call – or satellite message – away, regardless of where they are or what time it is.
“These two programs demonstrate our confidence in Volvo’s new family of engines and show our determination to deliver a premium level of support to customers,” Kress said. “Volvo’s advanced communications technology and dedicated customer support team will back up our customers wherever they are, and at any time of day.”
Volvo Link is Volvo’s proprietary satellite communications system. Volvo Link hardware is integrated into trucks during assembly and uses a network of 30 low-Earth orbit satellites. Drivers send and receive messages using the display in the truck’s gauge cluster. Messages transmitted from trucks are received by ground stations and are sent to Volvo customer support or fleet terminals via the Internet.
Sentry is a special feature of Volvo Link that reads fault codes involving the truck or engine electronic control units. Sentry then transmits that information to Volvo’s VAS. In most cases, the driver will notice the fault code first and contact VAS. But Sentry also allows VAS to take action first, if the situation requires it.
When a fault code is received from a specific Volvo truck, VAS’s technical support experts will review the situation and determine what, if any, corrective action should be taken. Then VAS will contact the driver, either by cell phone or through the Volvo Link communications display in the truck’s gauge cluster.
Fleet managers will also find Sentry a valuable tool to increase productivity and to reduce operating costs. Sentry will gather and e-mail regular reports to fleet managers on how the truck has been operated on criteria such as fuel used, distance traveled, miles per gallon, time in or out of rpm sweet spot, time above or below pre-set speeds, and time in or out of cruise control.
Sentry can also be used to identify drivers who may need additional safety coaching. Sentry can report on events involving the Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology system, plus antilock brake engagements and traction control assistance.
Model Year 2008 Volvo trucks come with three years of Sentry and VAS coverage standard. Customers can purchase the services after that period, as can second owners of the vehicles.