Connectivity is changing the game for Scania

Andreas Ackevi, Telenor Connexion’s Key Account Manager for Scania, talks about how connectivity is changing up the trucking business around the world.

Connectivity can be a key differentiator for many businesses, but in the business of trucking it has completely changed the game. Scania was early in realizing this, having started cooperating with Telenor Connexion nearly 15 years ago.

More than 100,000 connected trucks world wide

Connctivity has taken the trucking business by storm, enabling the real-time tracking of drivers’ positions, fuel consumption, vehicle performance and even driving behavior. “Our customer Scania has made a strategic decision to standardize connectivity in trucks. Starting in the year 2000, they began slowly adding to their inventory of connected trucks, and after 10 years or so they made the decision to put even more focus on connectivity. And by December 2014, Scania connected their 100,000^th truck,” says Andreas Ackevi, Key Account Manager for Scania.

Andreas Ackevi took on the account in 2012, right around the time when Scania was moving towards expanding their connected truck inventory. “The shift towards more connectivity has evolved over time, but today the business value of connectivity is no longer in question. For example, Scania’s connected trucks are now saving 7,000 litres of fuel per truck per year. This can be the difference between a profitable business and out of business,” explains Andreas.

The power of eco-driving

Driving more economically is a key output of greater connectivity. Sensors detect how the driver is driving, from braking to accelerating. Scania calls this “Driver Coaching”, and it is making a big impact on their customers’ operations. “Driver behavior has a major impact on the operating costs of the truck, and drivers are actively coached on a regular basis to help them save fuel and cut down on repair costs over time,” adds Andreas.

Connectivity drives global growth in transportation industry

Telenor Connexion aims to use connectivity to help their customers grow, and connected services are key to increasing productivity in the global transportation industry. And it’s the responsibility of account managers such as Andreas to help companies like Scania use connectivity in new and innovative ways, in order to improve their business. “I like to see my accounts grow and expand into new areas, new markets,” says Andreas. “It’s about finding the right solutions and helping them to be more connected and more successful.”