Ford F-Series and E-Series Vehicles Will Be Equipped with In-Dashboard PC with Internet Connectivity via the Sprint Nationwide Mobile Broadband Network
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 24, 2009--
Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced the details of its agreement with Ford
Motor Company to provide a solution suite as a central component of
“Ford Work Solutions” (www.fordworksolutions.com).
Beginning this spring, 2009 Ford F-Series and E-Series vehicles - and
later in 2009, Transit Connect vehicles - will offer an in-dashboard PC
with internet connectivity via the Sprint Nationwide Mobile Broadband
Network. This capability provides the opportunity to leverage
productivity application solutions via the Sprint Mobile Broadband
Network, including real-time labor and material-cost capture, inventory
updates, invoice generation and work-order edits and completion.
This new capability provides an unprecedented opportunity for job-site
productivity gains and cost reductions. Work can be accomplished on
site, on schedule and on budget. By minimizing the need to make trips
back and forth to the office, fleets can reduce fuel consumption and
their carbon footprint, and further enable the ability to “drive green.”
Organizations can now perform mission-critical tasks remotely at a job
site or a customer or field location, increasing operational
efficiencies and guaranteeing client satisfaction. Examples include:
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Field service and construction industries can modify and confirm
“change orders” to a “work order” or “job estimate,” avoiding lengthy
delays and keeping the job on schedule. Additionally, with the
optional Bluetooth® Printer from Ford, the customer can review and
authorize the “change order” on the spot with a written confirmation.
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Engineers and project managers can review and edit graphically-rich
blueprints or schematics while inside the truck.
-
Sub-contractors, suppliers and customers can collaborate in real-time
to review project-planning documents and website portals.
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Utilities and oil and gas crews in the field gain real-time, high
bandwidth access to work orders, safety and compliance data and asset
management.
Ford and Sprint will soon announce exclusive offers for this solution
suite. In support of the co-marketing efforts around this capability,
they will also appear at several events in the months ahead, including
key industry trade shows, to further inform their customers.
“This joint collaboration between Ford and Sprint delivers unprecedented
freedom to field work forces,” said Ed Pleet, Ford Work Solutions
product and business development manager. “Now organizations' desktop
business applications and systems can be brought where and when they are
most needed – at the ‘front end’ of the cabs of F-Series and E-Series
vehicles while they are on site.”
“This solution suite will empower organizations to continue to work hard
while also working smart,” said Keith Dardis, regional vice president,
Sprint. “We will provide our mutual customers with a competitive edge,
unparalleled productivity and cost savings, and the opportunity to do
their part to ‘drive green.’”
Both Ford and Sprint have a history of innovation. Ford Motor Company
has developed and maintained a Field Work Force industry-leading
position for over 30 years around their “Built Ford Tough” line of
F-Series pick-up trucks and E-Series cargo vans.
Through its unmatched Direct Connect push-to-talk service, rugged
devices and other technology, Sprint has developed and maintained its
leadership in Field Work Force solutions by understanding that effective
Field Work Force management requires constant coordination of crews,
fleets, suppliers, project managers, engineers and field service teams
-- often in harsh conditions and always on tight timelines.
ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers,
businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for
developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including
two wireless networks serving more than 49 million customers at the end
of the fourth quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services;
instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a
global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
Source: Sprint
Sprint
Aaron Radelet, 703-433-8246
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