Andrey Komov, Volvo Construction Equipment’s Head of Production, illustrates how the company is simplifying fleet management across equipment brands globally through the integration of vetted third-party dashboards. In the pipeline is the unveiling of brand-agnostic productivity services. This will surely benefit clients in the African market, which the company regards as a strategic growth area.
Accross Africa, customers in mining and other heavy industries need more from OEMs beyond just supplying and servicing mobile equipment. They require easy access to real-time machine data to boost fleet efficiency, reduce emissions, cut fuel costs, limit unscheduled downtime, and promote both operator safety and responsible machine usage.
However, a major challenge mining operations face is the use of equipment from different OEMs. This complicates fleet management, as system integration becomes an obstacle.
This arises in situations where some OEMs’ fleet management systems are non-interoperable. This means they cannot be integrated with systems from competitors’ brands. Isn’t it ironic that the very tools designed to streamline operations can end up becoming a hindrance?
Even more intriguing is an observation from Andrey Komov, Volvo Construction Equipment’s Head of Production. He explains that the non-interoperability issue is not limited to machines from different OEMs. Would you believe it also exists within fleets containing older and newer machines from the same brand?
“This shouldn’t be the case,” states Komov. Drawing on Volvo’s experience as a globally respected OEM, he explains: “Customers view solutions from each OEM as only part of the overall answer. They seek interoperability because they operate mixed fleets, and managing systems from different OEMs adds complexity.”
Volvo’s CareTrack Fills the Gap
Playing its part to fill the gap, Volvo is actively working to offer interoperability and is already rolling out the necessary components. The company has devised integrated systems designed to work seamlessly with Volvo equipment, and critical technical support is available to customers as and when needed.
A critical solution is CareTrack, specially developed for customers operating both older and newer Volvo machines, as well as third-party systems. Komov highlights its ease of use: “The hardware for CareTrack has been standard for many years now. And because CareTrack enables services such as ActiveCare, it’s just a case of switching it on.”
Worth mentioning, Volvo Co-Pilot hardware is factory-installed, but can also be retrofitted to existing machines. “Because the hardware is made by Volvo and installed by Volvo engineers, it is securely mounted and covered by the Volvo warranty,” Komov adds.
Third-Party Dashboard Integration
Mining companies often operate fleets with multiple brands, each with a different portal. It is hard to imagine the complexity of managing several portals at once.
Hence, to address this, Volvo enables CareTrack data to be integrated into vetted third-party dashboards, offering a unified machine overview. This is facilitated via the industry-standard API from the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP). “To support integration, we provide developers with all the resources they need to set up and test the API via the Volvo Developers’ Portal,” Komov explains.
For customers interesting to add third-party solutions to Volvo machines, their local dealer can assist. In South Africa, for instance, Volvo offers a proximity detection system (PDS) interface kit, which enables seamless integration of Level 8 PDS solutions from any third-party supplier on wheel loaders and articulated haulers.
Customer reaction exceeding expectations
Thus far, customer reaction to the value the system offers has exceeded expectations. “Initially, some customers only wanted API data. But after we demonstrated our solution, they chose to adopt it instead of developing their own,” Komov says, refering to reliable Volvo’s on-site connectivity is as key to enabling these capabilities.
On-Site Connectivity as a Digital Enabler
Volvo Construction Equipment supports on-site connectivity, which is critical to the success of digital solutions. “We understand that many customers face challenges with local network coverage and quality,” underlines Komov.
Brand-Agnostic Solutions in the Pipeline
While it is contented to its solutions bringing significant changes, Volvo Construction Equipment is always in continuous pursuit of enhancing the operational experience for fleet owners in the mining sector. In the pipeline is the launch of brand-agnostic Productivity Services to drive interoperability. These solutions will integrate with any connected asset and offer performance and safety insights across mixed fleets.
Maximising Machine Value
Generally, Volvo Construction Equipment’s solutions help customers maximise the value of their machines. They enable them to achieve productivity, profitability, and decarbonisation through accurate, real-time data on performance, health, location, productivity, and cost efficiency.
Volvo CE remains a global leader in construction equipment solutions. Always forward-looking, it is committed to offering premium products and services that combine power, performance, and sustainability.
