Five Days from Our Ford Super Duty Diary

The information age is constantly evolving, and integrated computers are on the forefront, creating new fads, tripling productivity and changing the way we work. Today we use our computers as naturally and easily as we now use our cars… or trucks. That gave Ford Motor Co. an idea. Why not integrate the ideal mobile office into the ultimate commercial work truck?

Thus was born the Ford Work Solutions — available on the Ford F-Series Super Duty, F-150, E-Series van and Transit Connect — an in-dash computer that’s integrated into the vehicle’s center stack and is capable of linking into a business owner’s main office computer network or a home computer via a cellular broadband connection. While this technology has been out for about year, I had the opportunity to see it incorporated into Ford’s newest 2011 Super Duty vehicles and the union was an impressive office on wheels. 

Ford invited journalists from all over the country to test drive its new 2011 trucks out in the Arizona desert in February. Writers flew into Prescott, Ariz., and traveled cross country a few 100 miles to Scottsdale, testing out the new capabilities of the 2011 Super Duty lineup (the F-250 through F-450 and chassis cabs F-350 through F-550). And for the readers of Compact Equipment, these in-dash computers were perfect for our high-tech contracting readership. I’ve always likened computers to Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy. But Ford Work Solutions was an easy-to-accesses system with a remote keyboard, touch screen and optional remote printer that even the oldest, most grizzled foreman could figure out.

Users can easily access files in an office computer miles away from the jobsite using the integrated LogMeIn remote access application. Open any number of computer applications including a word processing document, a spreadsheet or a business accounting program. Make updates and print documents in the truck on an available Ford-certified, on-board, Bluetooth-enabled battery-powered inkjet printer. The in-dash computer even includes navigation, which has features like rerouting due to construction and points of interest, with listings for local gas stations and their fuel prices, restaurants, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers and (of course) Ford dealerships.

But just don’t manage your paperwork, manage your other crews. With Ford Work Solutions Crew Chief owner/operators have a telematics and diagnostics system that delivers real-time vehicle location and maintenance tracking, allowing fleet owners to quickly respond to calls and deploy fleets. Crew Chief interfaces with the vehicle’s electrical architecture and can monitor numerous diagnostic functions, including tire pressure or check engine light. It also can be programmed to identify user-set alerts, such as unauthorized vehicle use, lack of seat belt usage or excessive idling. Really, the only thing missing here is a portal to World of Warcraft.

Be sure to also check out these other cool Ford techy tools. Developed with DeWALT and ThingMagic, Ford Work Solutions Tool Link offers owners the capability to mark and scan tools, safety equipment, material inventories and other important assets using RFID tags. And Cable Lock, developed in partnership with Master Lock, is a convenient way to secure items such as toolboxes, air compressors, generators or large power tools that may need to be in a pickup box when the vehicle is parked. Combined, you can feel safe and secure running an office and managing your equipment tools from your new Ford truck. Tune in tomorrow when we talk about Ford’s new Super Duty trucks and the company’s expanded trailering offerings. – Keith Gribbins, Managing Editor of Compact Equipment