Product Description Summary and Evaluation Draft 3

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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 webpage, 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 actions 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 webpage, 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, Zonar’s V4 has various features like receiving real time updates and a flexible software that differentiates it from the others.

Firstly, Zonar’s V4 provides real time updates. These updates come in the form of alerts on the user’s phone. As compared to Panasonic’s TCU product, the updates will only be shown when the user logs into the software. This will cause a delay of improvement to the user’s performance. By receiving updates in real time, user’s will be able to make the necessary adjustments that will then provide a safer environment for everyone.

Secondly, it is Zonar V4’s flexible web-based software. Similar to Airbiquity’s Choreo, Zonar’s Ground Traffic Control allows the user to customize it to their needs as well. Choreo is a cloud-based platform that allows drivers to manage their fleet operations. 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 greatly 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.

References
Airbiquity. (n.d). Choreo Platform. Retrieved from 
https://www.airbiquity.com/product-offerings/choreo-platform

Panasonic. (2018, January 12). Panasonic Starts Mass Production of Telematics Control Unit, a New Product Jointly Developed with Ficosa.Retrieved from 
https://news.panasonic.com/global/press/data/2018/01/en180112-2/en180112-2.html

 Panasonic. (n.d). Telematic Control Unit and Smart Antenna Module. Retrieved from 
https://www.panasonic.com/global/business/p-its/pdf/montreal_2017/03_Telematic_Control_Unit_and_Smart_Antenna_Module.pdf

 Zonar Systems. (2018). Ground Traffic Control. Retrieved from
https://www.zonarsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ground-Traffic-Control-Brochure.pdf

Zonar Systems. (2018). V4 Telematics Device Solutions. Retrieved from 
https://www.zonarsystems.com/solutions/v4-telematics-device/.





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