The Linde truck data management (LFM) system now features an online module. This new module will allow the most varied of truck fleets to be managed in future from any computer with an Internet connection — a key feature for multiple operating locations.

The more information a company records about the day-to-day use of its trucks, the more efficiently and economically it can utilise its fleet. Truck data of this type can be collected with the help of the Linde truck data management (LFM) system. For example, the software has a single truck or fleet monitoring function to record how long the trucks are in use for each day, thereby uncovering any unused capacity. The optional shock sensor provides another helping hand by recording damage to trucks to prevent misuse. The access control function is another useful tool that prevents unauthorised individuals from using trucks by asking for a PIN code or by using RFID technology (card or chip). Service and maintenance costs are also reduced thanks to the contribution made by software-supported maintenance scheduling for individual trucks or entire fleets.

Thanks to the Internet solution now available, data recorded with LFM online regarding a vehicle inventory distributed across several operating locations can be called up in its entirety for analysis. "You don't need another member of staff on site to read out the data or sort out data transfer, saving you time and money", says Boris Schröder, Product Manager for IT Solutions at Linde MH, describing the benefits of using the system.

Data is transferred via the mobile phone network — this is done automatically at user-defined intervals from the recording device on the truck to a central server by means of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technology. This service prepares the data and then makes it available to fleet managers for analysis on the Internet. The data is ac-cessed by means of a personal log-in ID with a password, making it possible to specify who has access to the data. The great benefit of LFM online is that a web browser is all you need to call up and analyse the data, meaning there is no need to purchase any ad-ditional software. "It is also possible to configure LFM online to generate a report auto-matically and send it as an email to an address stored in the system", says Schröder. In all trucks featuring a can-bus, it is also possible to read out the current total of operating hours at any time. As an alternative, data can also be transferred to the truck from the online module. For example, a new driver can be set up, speed limitations can be stored for a particular driver and vehicle access can be restricted to certain truck models. The help of a service engineer is therefore not required for these tasks.

Various selection options
There are two different versions of LFM online available: The basic version (LFM online portal) is designed for customers who wish use the existing server infrastructure to ana-lyse truck data. Customers choose the service provider for GPRS data communication (sim-card) themselves or they can use suitable telephone cards that are already in use at their company. The "Complete package" on the other hand is configured for data transfer and monitoring data transfer during operation and comprises a sim-card with a flat-rate tariff to cover additional costs. There is also the option of assigning all fleet monitoring tasks to an external team of experts. With this option, one of the 27 Linde contract partners in Germany assumes responsibility for online data management and ensures that industrial trucks are not only maintained promptly, but also deployed and operated at full capacity.