Week 5 Assignment - Product Description Summary and Analysis
According to Zonar Systems (2018), Zonar’s
V4 is the latest Telematics Control Unit (TCU) released to monitor and track
fleets in any kind of vehicle. It optimizes “decision-making” capabilities that
improves the driver’s performance by allowing the driver access to the data in
real time. As mentioned in the article, the main function of Zonar’s V4 is to
track the vehicles’ location with high accuracy through the use of GPS and
BeiDou satellites. One of its unique features is the “Intelligent Logging
Algorithm” which records every single vehicle activities such as the
accessories used, and action made. Though the use of Zonar’s Application
Programming Interface (API), Zonar’s V4 is interconnected with other systems
such as the Transportation Management System (TMS) that further improves the
system. Drivers can trust that the data collected by Zonar’s V4 will be
compressed, encrypted and transmitted before being sent to the data centres
over a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Data collected in the last six months
will be backed up by Zonar’s systems in the event that the driver is in an area
with restricted cellular coverage. Apart from being a hardware product, Zonar’s
V4 work closely with the web-based software called Ground Traffic Control. With
reference to the article, this software sends alerts to the driver regarding
its operations as to improve the driver’s performance. These alerts are sent
based on the information gathered by the hardware. Even though there are other
companies that produce telematics control units, there are a few points that differentiates
Zonar’s V4 from the others.
An example would be Panasonic’s first TCU
product. According to Panasonic (2017), the company worked side by side with an
automotive supplier from Spain to develop Panasonic’s first TCU product. Its main
function is to collect data on the vehicles’ whereabouts and updates to the
server through the use of an integrated GPS receiver. There is a security
feature as well that sends the stolen vehicle’s location to its owner. Another
example would be Airbiquity’s Choreo. Choreo is a cloud-based platform that
allows drivers to manage their fleet operations. According to the article,
Choreo allows flexibility for the user to customize according to their needs by
integrating with other cloud-based software.
Despite the examples given of the various
similar products, there are some points that differentiates Zonar’s V4 from the
two products. Zonar’s V4 provides updates to the driver in real time from its
web-based software that can be accessed using the driver’s phone. Furthermore,
the data collected in the past six months will also be stored should there be a
need for future reference or as said earlier, should the driver be in an area
with restricted cellular coverage. Similar to Choreo’s flexibility feature,
Zonar’s Ground Traffic Control allows the user to customize it to their needs
as well. According to Zonar Systems, the Ground Traffic Control grants the
driver to customize the dashboard according to what they would prefer to see
and improve on instead of every single feature.
In conclusion, Zonar’s V4 is the latest telematics
control unit that not only tracks and monitors fleet operations but also
provides updates in accordance to the driver’s needs. Thus, this will improve the driver’s
performance which in return will provide a safe environment for everyone.
Ultimately, this shows that the company pays attention to the needs of its
intended users.
Zonars Systems. (2018). V4 Telematics Device Solutions. Retrieved September 21st, from https://www.zonarsystems.com/solutions/v4-telematics-device/.
Zonars Systems. (2018). Ground Traffic Control. Retrieved September 22nd, from
https://www.zonarsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ground-Traffic-Control-Brochure.pdf
Airbiquity. (n.d). Choreo Platform. Retrieved September 29th, from
https://www.airbiquity.com/product-offerings/choreo-platform
Panasonic. Panasonic Starts Mass Production of Telematics Control Unit, a New Product Jointly Developed with Ficosa (2018, January 12). Retrieved September 29th, from
Panasonic. (n.d) Telematic Control Unit and Smart Antenna Module. Retrieved September 29th, from https://www.panasonic.com/global/business/p-its/pdf/montreal_2017/03_Telematic_Control_Unit_and_Smart_Antenna_Module.pdf
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