Ford Motor Co. has signed a contract with I.D. Systems Inc., a provider of wireless asset management systems, to initiate development of the next generation of Internet-based fleet management technology for its industrial vehicle electronic control system (IVECS). The contract is designed to expand Ford’s role in industrial fleet management.
Ford and I.D. Systems are currently prioritizing plant rollout for the first generation of IVECS, which incorporates Internet-based features that impact industrial vehicle safety, utilization, and maintenance. Under the new contract, I.D. Systems will create and Internet-based asset management system for Ford, to be known as the Enterprise Wireless Asset Net (eWAN). The new eWAN system will expand functionality in numerous areas, including lease management, enterprise-wide forecasting, supplier management, and equipment transfer. The assets under management will include all of Ford’s industrial vehicles, batteries, chargers, and other vehicle support equipment.