Buying Parts Online
Not exactly a mouse click away.
By Jim Beach,Technology Editor
Even the most casual web surfer knows you can buy most anything online and sometimes find great deals to boot. To some degree, the same is true of truck parts.
However, if you are looking for a truck part, there are a number of other factors involved, not the least of which is the highly segmented truck parts market.
Some parts are only available through the truck dealer or component supplier. Other OE parts can be found at the dealer or an independent parts supplier. For other parts, fleets have a choice between OE or aftermarket parts and a wider selection of suppliers from which to choose. You might want a remanufactured or used part, which adds even more options.
Adding to the confusion are varying price levels for parts. If you are ordering parts for 1,000 trucks, the price you pay for filters, for instance, will be quite different from someone buying filters for 10 trucks.
Part numbers are not standardized. That means if you're selecting an aftermarket part instead on an OE part, you need to know which aftermarket part number corresponds to the OE part you are replacing.
And on top of all that, getting a great price online might be no easier than buying parts the traditional way.
A number of fleets use automated systems to control their parts inventories. These systems automatically order parts daily or weekly from a dealer or distributor based on predetermined inventory levels. While these kinds of automated parts systems are becoming more common, online parts buying is still not widespread within the industry, according to Denise Rondini, editorial director of Truck Parts & Service magazine.
Steve Crowley, president and CEO of Vipar Heavy Duty, a marketing group representing independent parts suppliers, says online buying is something that is growing in the industry, but is still relatively new. One trend for parts suppliers is to create customized e-catalogs for existing large customers that list predetermined parts and prices. Customers can then order online from these customer-specific catalogs.
Crowley says he sees online ordering more as a service to existing customers rather than a way of bringing in new customers, because of the technical nature of parts ordering. "The expertise exists at the distributor's end of the transaction," he says, noting that many buyers lack the knowledge to ensure they order the right part, especially for engines and other highly technical systems.
That doesn't mean you can't find truck parts, catalogs, part number cross-reference guides and suppliers online. A Google search for "heavy truck parts" returns more than 2 million results. But don't expect to fill up an online shopping cart with filters, belts, hoses or other parts, and then electronically check out with your credit card. More likely, you will fill out an online order form or shopping list. Then a salesperson from the parts supplier will contact you to hammer out price and to make sure you are ordering exactly the parts you need – especially if you are looking to buy new parts.
Some fleet managers want an easier online parts-buying process. "I would love to be able to find more truck parts online, but a lot of parts are tied up by distributors and dealers and you can't find them anywhere else," says David Kiely, president of Roadshow Services, San Francisco. "I would like to be able to go online and say, 'I want 10 of those,' with a click of the mouse. But the truck aftermarket isn't like the auto aftermarket yet."
Of course, you can find parts lists and catalogs on truck and component manufacturers' web sites. These sites typically direct you to a local dealer or distributor. The distributor may also have a web site where you can browse parts and fill out online forms for contact by a salesperson later.
Caterpillar's web site, for instance, includes information on Cat's PartStore Web, a service the company started in 1999 that allows customers to order parts through their local distributor's or dealer's web site. Users can register, request access and order parts or search for part numbers. Caterpillar says the system makes part ordering more efficient, shows real-time price and availability, and allows customers to track orders and keep more accurate records.
Bob Wolfe, vice president engine division at Holt of California, a Caterpillar distributor based in West Sacramento, says most of the customers they see using the online parts store are "the bigger guys, the new truck dealers and bigger fleets." Even then, he estimates only about 20 percent of their biggest customers order online. The online parts users tend to be fleets that are "very progressive – on the cutting edge of stuff," he says. (A larger percentage of their customers use an automated parts inventory system.)
"These are the people that know exactly what parts they want," Wolfe says. For other customers, he thinks it can be easier to get an experienced parts person on the phone than it can be to try to find the right part online. "In the case of parts, the odds of getting the right part are probably better if you talk to an experienced parts person," he says. And it's probably quicker.
"I can book a flight, rent a car or make a hotel reservation online, but I can do the same things over the phone in less time."
Wolfe notes that part of the reason there is not a lot of online parts buying is that buying parts is still a somewhat old-fashioned event where customers prefer to talk to a parts person. Anthony Teresi of Teresi Trucking in Lodi, Calif., is one of those. "We're still old-school when it comes to parts," he says. "We prefer face-to-face contact with our parts salespeople."
Carol Rich, customer service manager at Webb Wheel, says even some component suppliers are just starting to embrace online ordering systems. Webb Wheel doesn't sell directly to end users, but to distributors and OEMs. Many of the company's customers already use electronic ordering and invoicing systems. But the company also makes its catalog available online for customers to browse. Customers can also fill out an online order form.
"More and more of our customers are using the online forms," Rich says. The forms are delivered as an e-mail to a customer service representative and the order is placed from there. However, Rich says the company plans to change its web site to allow customers to fill a "shopping cart" and then buy products via a secured transaction.
There are some parts readily available for online ordering and buying: customizing parts, such as chrome visors, light bars and other products truckers use to dress up their rigs. Most chrome shops offer secure online buying with various shipping options. For example, Esley Truck Accessories of Salem, Ore., sells LED lights and all types of chrome accessories through its web site at www.TruckChrome.com. Users can add items to their cart, then check out using a credit card. The company is an authorized dealer for Roadworks Manufacturing among others.
Buying online through channels other than dealers or distributors can carry some risks, notes Roadshow's Kiely. "I bought some alternators on eBay that were supposed be a brand name. When we got them, we realized they were knockoffs. But they work." Kiely says he is likely to use them as spares that the drivers carry with them. "Replacing an alternator is just a couple of bolts and a wire. These would probably work well enough to get us to the next truckstop if we had an alternator problem."
Kiely says he is willing to take these risks from time to time, but still wishes it was easier to find the parts he needs at a good price. "Sometimes I can find what I want online, but it's not as free a market as I would like."
Siemens VDO IntroducesTruck Navigation System
Siemens VDO says such time-consuming nuisances as unexpected dead-end streets, forced U-turns and too-low bridges will soon be things of the past for truck drivers using the company's new navigation system.
The company has developed what it calls the first true truck navigation system, based on its well-known in-car systems. The company incorporated commercial vehicle map data in addition to software that includes the truck's specific characteristics, such as width and axle load. The vehicle-specific data is matched with clearance heights, bridge weight restrictions and other information contained in the map data. Furthermore, the way the software calculates routes has been changed to take the driving characteristics of large trucks into account.
To set a destination, the driver first enters data about his truck. On the basis of length, width, weight, axle load and hazardous-materials class, the navigation system selects only the routes that present no problems for the vehicle. This data needs to be entered just once and is checked each time the navigation system is restarted. The weight of the load or the hazardous-materials class can be changed quickly and easily after unloading for the return trip.
The system provides the driver with traffic information and – if the driver desires – suggestions as to an alternative route in case of traffic congestion. Here again, route restrictions for trucks are taken into account so the driver is not directed onto narrow streets or bridges.
The system is due to go into production this year in Europe and later in North America, and was shown to the world press last fall at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, Germany.
GeoLogic Solutions New Color Display Unit
GeoLogic Solutions has introduced its new Color Display Unit (CDU). The Windows-based touch-screen display features a high-resolution graphical interface and incorporates several new technologies that optimize its use in emerging mobile trucking applications.
The CDU will be available as a display option to new GeoLogic customers and as an upgrade for existing users of the company's MobileMax system.
"The new CDU is a rugged, driver-friendly device that offers fleets a range of enhanced applications," said John Lewis, president and CEO of GeoLogic Solutions, "including electronic driver logs, text to speech, mapping and onboard navigation with turn by turn directions. The open architecture of the Windows CE Operating System allows us to add future functionality and makes it easy to integrate with a broad range of third-party hardware and Windows-based software applications.
ALK Launches CoPilot FleetCenter
The new CoPilot FleetCenter from ALK Technologies is a low-cost fleet management solution that delivers tracking, two-way messaging and access to ALK's growing Location Based Services offerings.
CoPilot FleetCenter is designed to work seamlessly with CoPilot Truck and CoPilot Live GPS navigation solutions from ALK. It is a web-based fleet management solution connected to wireless-enabled mobile devices (Pocket PCs, smartphones, laptops or onboard computers) running the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 or Windows XP operating systems. These devices provide spoken directions using ALK's CoPilot Truck or CoPilot Live Professional and communicate their exact position in real-time to CoPilot FleetCenter.
Drivers can send and receive text messages, receive itinerary updates, and communicate vehicle status automatically.
Smart Sensor TrackingTechnology From SkyBitz
SkyBitz says its new Smart Sensor Tracking offers trucking companies a new type of trailer tracking with arrival and departure notification for more effective trailer utilization.
The Smart Sensor Tracking system uses SkyBitz's patent-pending, motion-based Smart Sensor. Fleet managers can now see the date- and time-stamped location of a trailer from departure to arrival, with the ability to automatically filter out non-essential starts and stops, such as traffic lights and fuel stops.
The Smart Sensor triggers different reporting configurations and adapts to trailers' specific vibration patterns while moving or stopped for higher levels of security to protect valuable loads.
Driver-friendly Display Introduced By PeopleNet
PeopleNet announced a new driver-friendly displays for its g3 onboard communications and fleet management solution.
The new display platform will run on the Windows CE.Net platform and allow for third-party applications to be developed and run in conjunction with the core PeopleNet applications.
A new tethered, 7-inch, full-color Enhanced Driver Display is easy for drivers to use, with precise visibility and touch-screen versatility and full audio and video capability.
New-generation handheld devices with color, graphical displays can be used by drivers inside and outside the truck, allowing drivers to scan barcodes and record consignee signatures.
InCab U, Instructional TechForm Education Program
InCab University (InCab U), an accredited college education program for truck drivers, has signed an agreement with Instructional Technologies Inc. to offer its Pro-TREAD computer-based driver training within InCab U's curriculum. Pro-TREAD is ITI's Internet version of its well-known TREAD-1 program.
Pro-TREAD is a highly interactive training system providing an extensive variety of courses designed for truck drivers in the areas of operations, regulations and safety. TREAD-1 and Pro-TREAD make up the nation's most complete computer-based training service for drivers and are now conveniently available to all InCab University students from the comfort of their cabs. Pro-TREAD's curriculum currently offers more than 20 different courses. ITI's secure web-based database, provided at no cost to each user, documents and stores all Pro-TREAD driver training data for easy record management and bullet-proof documentation when needed in litigation.
Truck drivers across the country now have the opportunity to complete their driver and safety training in addition to earning a college degree without leaving their cab. Through a specially designed network, drivers can receive education and training over any internet-enabled PC or InCab computer device.
Prophesy Offers Low-costIn-Vehicle Tracking Device
Prophesy Transportation Solutions has announced a new, low-cost, cab mounted AVL tracking solution for trucking companies and other mobile fleets.
The Prophesy in-vehicle tracking device automatically gathers truck locations, speed and other important data and filters it directly into the web-based Prophesy TrackerBase solution for analysis and use. Users can track their trucks remotely but more important, they can be automatically notified of actions via a comprehensive and secure web interface.
Prophesy TrackerBase offers optional integration with other Prophesy compliance software components for fuel and road tax reporting, dispatch operations, fuel management and hours of service tracking.
McLeod UnveilsVersion 8 Software
McLeod Software has unveiled Version 8 (v8) of its LoadMaster and PowerBroker enterprise software products. LoadMaster is McLeod Software's flagship management solution for for-hire and private fleets, while PowerBroker is the company's software solution for non-asset-based brokerage and logistics providers.
Based extensively on customer input, the upgraded versions of the two products share many enhanced features to help carriers reduce administration time, increase productivity and provide greater levels of customer service. Several of these features were specifically developed to address unique challenges in the refrigerated carrier segment.
The new robust capabilities include a feature that expands the visibility of order billing and payment detail; new screens that enhance the tracking of over, short and damaged (OS&D) reports and appointment confirmations; expedient automation of garnishment and claims processing, as well as the ability to automate a wider variety of fuel surcharge scenarios.
Additionally, LoadMaster v8 offers a new temperature warning system, while PowerBroker v8 now interfaces with Transcore's Carrierwatch to validate carriers.
Maptuit's NaviGo OffersTruck-specific Directions
Maptuit's new NaviGo in-cab navigation service offers high-end, interactive maps and audible turn-by-turn truck-specific directions.
NaviGo will run on several WinCE and Winmobile 5 Platforms and devices using Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite modes of communication.
Maptuit NaviGo takes Maptuit's technology and its community of 80,000 drivers, who continually send updates to its road network, and combines it with state-of-the-art communication devices. This lets the company provide on-board electronic maps to gauge the vehicle's location, and plot a course to a selected destination that provides drivers with audible, truck-specific, real-time, turn-by-turn directions.
Teletrac Debuts TBTAutomated Nav System
Teletrac has announced the availability of the FleetDirector Turn-By-Turn (TBT) vehicle routing and navigation system.
The module provides speed-calibrated, real-time, turn-by-turn, verbal directions to drivers. As an integrated component of FleetDirector's proprietary eClient fleet management software suite, TBT allows dispatchers to select vehicles, assign destinations and download driving directions with minimal effort.
TBT allows the dispatcher to automate several actions related to vehicle selection and assignment, destination and route selection and verification of onboard capture of the navigation download.
