Final Reflection

Through this module, I have learnt how to write a formal letter and an email. I have learnt the importance of applying what I learnt over the course to the final presentation and later, the showcase. I learnt the importance of aligning the information you wished to convey be it in letters or even a formal proposal. Professor Brad had given my team and I the guidance and help that we need whenever we feel like we hit a ‘dead end’. He also gave us feedback on how to improve our presentation skills and technical writing.

After the showcase ended last week, I feel that our team overall did a good job when presenting our slides for the judges. On an individual level, I felt that I could express my points better to the judges as I had the role of ending the presentation. The presenters from the other groups were very professional when they were bringing their solutions across to the judges. Through this showcase, experiencing the different group presenting and having presented myself, I will learn from my past mistakes and improve on my presentation skills in my future modules.

Product Description Summary & Evaluation (Final - 27th November 2018)

According to Airbiquity (2006), Choreo is a cloud-based program, which gives the user the customizability to manage their car programs and what they wish to see and get from the car. Airbiquity have been developing and building this program for the past 20 years to give the user the most ideal experience. The web-page also reported that the overall product experience will be added up to a “powerful post-purchase consumer experience” which stands out. Choreo is aimed to the user’s experience, which is categorized under three key points: driver assistance, driver efficiency and driver experience.

The first competitor, Zonar V4, uses GPS technology as well but it is only recorded and logged at a remote center. This allows the centers to send alerts regarding the user’s operations to benefit their experience. The information gathered from the GPS would be sent to the hardware, Zonar V4. Another competitor would be Geotab, which is customizable software that can be changed to better suit the user’s experience. It offers up to seven different languages and customization to better suit the user experience with features such as driver behavior management, which uses training utilities and in-vehicle feedback to provide more accurate real-time data.

Although there are similar products on the market that offers cloud-based software in them, such as Geotab and Zonar V4, Airbiquity has its unique strengths in terms of the used experience and the many features that stands out from the competitors.

Moving on to the first strength, driver assistance. This focus allows solutions to be readily available such as rapid emergency response assistance, the ability to unlock/lock your vehicle from your smartphone, vehicle monitoring in the case of a stolen vehicle and lastly, the geo-fencing, which alerts the driver when the vehicle leaves a specific area that was not labelled in the software. This allows the driver to access these necessary features without the hassle of finding them.

The second strength would be driver efficiency. This strength is more suited towards electric vehicles. Choreo allows drivers to check on their vehicle’s battery status, how long they can continue their journey and giving drivers an option to optimize the vehicle’s use by planning their trips and give possible locations for them to charge their electric vehicles.

The last strength would be the driver’s experience. Choreo aims in bringing a friendly user experience for their drivers by allowing them to pair their smartphones with their vehicle. The ability to customize and personalize their own personal user experience will allow the driver to maximize Choreo’s full potential.

In conclusion, Choreo has high potential to compete in this market when there are not many products which offers as many features and customizability. The ability to customize to the driver’s best personal experience is what will be the biggest selling point for any potential buyer that makes Choreo stand out from their competitors out in the market.

References

1. Airbiquity. (2006, October 09). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from Vehicle Telematics, Geofencing & Fleet Tracking Systems for the Connected Car. https://www.airbiquity.com/product-offerings/intelligent-vehicle
2. Geotab. (2018, January 09). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from What is Telematics? https://www.geotab.com/blog/what-is-telematics/
3. Zonar Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from V4 Telematics Device Control Unit https://www.zonarsystems.com/solutions/v4-telematics-device

Group Technical Report - Draft

Background

According to Zonar Systems, Zonar’s Logs Comprehensive Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Solution is a telematics application is developed for safeguarding the driver’s well-being and logging data while going paperless. It has also mentioned that that the application is able to aid drivers in terms of notifying them regarding any “pending violations”, by sending notifications to their smartphones. In addition, the webpage remarked that Zonar Logs can “track drive time”, thus, enabling the employers to look at the driver records from any date. Besides that, the system is user-friendly in the terms of viewing the "available hours, updating of the duty status" and tracking the travelling time. Due to these customisation, Zonar's application can generate an "electronic logbook" which allows them to go paperless. Hence, it is evident that Zonar's Logs Comprehensive ELD focuses on tracking and logging with the users' satisfaction in mind. 

When comparing with other similar products in the market such as Kinesis Fleet (n.d.) and Trimble Transportation Mobility (n.d.), Zonar Logs has a competitive edge in terms of providing up-to-date logging data to be viewed on the spot by the driver and software to update the law reinforcements help to distinguish its solution from others.

However even with these features, Zonar’s Logs Comprehensive ELD lacks user friendliness due to the complex user interface. Some factors contributing to the complex user interface are multiple layers of executions to complete logging data of a parcel into the device, duty logging and the logging correction procedures are awkward and slow. This complex user interface had led to the unproductive of the drivers, making them deliver lesser than compared to what they previously had before the use of the logging device.

Due to inadequate features offered by Zonar’s Logs Comprehensive ELD, customers may turn to competitor’s product instead. According to the ratings and feedback given by existing customers, it scored ratings of 1 out of 6. This meant that current users are very unsatisfied with the logging device.

Problem statement

The ideal log tracking device should be easily navigated by drivers with a press of a button which will provide them information required for the delivery like the product code, product description and the delivery address. Zonar systems requires drivers to key in delivery details including product code, address and related informations. Every delivery caused an extra delay of information entry and slowed the delivery process. This poor user interface is complicated which caused misled information thus preventing employers from receiving an accurate log too. Poor user interface led to possible miscommunications which led to employers receiving an inaccurate log. Zomatics’ aim in simplifying the overall process of getting data quickly and more efficiently.

Purpose statement

Zomatics’ aim is to create a more user-friendly interface and a detachable tablet that allows the drivers at Zonar Systems to properly make use of the software which will aid their workflow, in return helping increasing workplace productivity. 

Proposed adaptation

The proposed solution that Zomatics came up with incorporates revamping and simplifying the Zonar Log ELD system. The simplified interface on the tablet will shorten the process it takes for drivers to comprehend the necessary details and to increase productivity in delivery items. 

PART 1: Implementation of one-touch button 

A significant advancement to the Zonar Log ELD system is to simplify the user interface by creating one-touch button features. This includes simplifying the way the interface is done. We can reduce the unnecessary information and increase the font size as we maximise the screen by utilizing of different icons and fonts. With these different variations, it will be easily differentiated for drivers and they do not have to worry about locating the different icons.

PART 2: Implementation of automated routes 

Another huge improvement would be an automated routing. Drivers usually get a fixed amount of parcel delivery per day. With the back-end information being all the parcels to be delivered, we can utilised mapping application to figure out which parcel should be delivered first and the estimated time per parcel delivery. 

PART 3: Implementation of fingerprint sensor

An improvement we can consider on is the implementation of fingerprint sensor. With time, technology has become more advanced and thus fingerprint sensor is an encrypted pin logger we can consider on to save time for drivers to have the hassle of keying in their pin. 

Benefits of proposed adaptation

The software is hosting via a very simple update format for the tablet. The end user can choose to upgrade as when we release a new version of the application. The application will be dated from it’s version series. This can be done so by using wireless connection. This is simple and no hassle as compared to the previous versions. 

Evaluation

The benefits that this revised solution will let drivers focus on their deliveries and only have to ensure the correct amount of packages are under their care.The revamped software will allow drivers to access the packages by accessing their account and showing the most ideal travelling route to take to effectively deliver the parcels to the customer.

Comparing current product with proposed adaptation

Currently the interface being shown is complex and the drivers require some time to analyse the electronic log device even before using it. They will require to fully go through and understand what all the icons signify. It is a huge hassle especially for drivers which are not very well versed in reading. This potentially created many misunderstanding between the drivers and the company in terms of two aspect. The first is the clash with the Human Resource team in terms of the hours of service on duty. The second will be the clash with the situation if the parcel was delivered but was not dated as delivered in the application. 

We have created a very simple layout that can be easily understood with a glance on how many products are required to be delivered and how many hours the driver has been working. There’s a customisation layer where you can choose to view it in different format. Day, Week and Month format. This interface is to boost productivity and for the drivers to focus on their main goal - which is to get their parcels successfully delivered to the end location. 

Drawback of proposed adaptation

Our proposed solutions are more targeted towards drivers who are less proficient in working with electronic device, especially with something complicated like the current Zonar ELD. By simplifying the user interface and making the device easier to use, it slightly reduces the functionality of the program by omitting some of the extra information needed to complete the action. With regards to implementing fingerprint scanner as one of our proposed solution, this idea helps to increase productivity to a small degree. However, integrating fingerprint scanner will require the development of the external unit, leading to a higher cost which will outweigh the benefits that can be obtained.

• Cost 
• Software interface design (use couple of designs, survey which one user prefers) 
• Auto route algorithm

Methodology

For this project, we are adopting DMAIC as a framework to improve processes. DMAIC is an acronym which stands for Define, Measure, Analysis, Improvement, and Control. It is a common tool often used by companies to seek out improvement opportunities by first identifying the issues in the current procedure. The first step ‘Define’, aims to present the problem and the purpose of this project, which were already discussed in the earlier stage of our report. The second step (Measure) and third step (Analysis), is the collection of data that can validate the issues faced in the current process. Lastly for the ‘Improvement’ step, it requires the brainstorming of ideas that can be proposed as a solution to the problem. This has already been established in the proposed adaptation section of our report.

Measure

As we begin brainstorming and forming our solution to help improve Zonar Logs, we have came up with a short survey (as shown in Figure 1.7), that we conducted over 50 people, we gathered the data to see the public’s choice on whether we should implement a new interface software upgrade or should our team come up with a brand new product that will succeed the current product that they have. The data and breakdown will be shown below.

Analysis

From the data collected from the survey that was conducted by a total of 50 people, Zomatics have came up with the following findings.

Figure 1.1 Customer Satisfaction on Zonar Log ELD

Figure 1.2 Cost of a new product

Figure 1.3 Cost of product customers are willing to pay

Figure 1.4 Comparing New Product vs Upgrade in Software & Interface

Figure 1.5 Simple vs Complex Interface

Figure 1.6 Consumer’s thoughts of purchasing the new product

There are a large majority of people (approximately 60%) in Figure 1.1, are dissatisfied with the current product that Zonar Logs offers and a large majority (90%) in Figure 1.2 finds that cost plays a huge deciding factor into whether a consumer were to make an upgrade in the current product.

In figure 1.3 above, we understand how much consumer are willing to pay for an upgrade on their current Zonar products, ranges from $30 to $70. Most of the people surveyed have voted that they find paying $50 to $70 for a new product is acceptable.

Through Figure 1.4, it is shown that a majority of 96% of our surveyors find that upgrading the software would suffice their consumer needs and there is not a need to buy a completely new product which will only incur more costs on them. They would also like the upgraded interface and software to be a simple one in contrast to the current model which is more complex, having multiple menus hidden within the software interface. From Figure 1.6, we can see that a huge majority feel that if the product were to be launched in the market, the consumers will purchase it if we price it competitively within the range that they think is good and affordable.

Through the survey, we understand how the average consumer feel on the current product that Zonar Log ELD provides and how Zomatics bringing a new interface with updated software will get more consumers on board to purchase the Zonar Log ELD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we think that Zonar should implement (proposed final solution) into the existing ELD to boost the user's satisfaction and productivity. 

References

1. Features of the Kinesis Vehicle Tracking System and Telematics product. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.kinesisfleet.com/features/ 
2. Fleet Performance Monitoring | Trimble. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://mobility.trimble.com/fleet-solutions/analytics/ 
3. Must Read: Using tech to boost workplace productivity. (2018, June 19). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.scc.com/workplace-productivity/must-read-using-tech-to-boost-workplace-productivity/ 
4. Niri, A. A. (2017). The Impact of Technology Factors on the Workers’ Productivity an Empirical Study on Al Borg Cement Factory in Libya. International Journal of Economics & Management Sciences,06(04). doi:10.4172/2162-6359.1000435 (https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-impact-of-technology-factors-on-the-workers-productivity-an-empirical-study-on-al-borg-cement-factory-in-libya-2162-6359-1000435.pdf)
5. November 22, 2017 • by HDT Staff. (n.d.). 70 Answers to Top ELD Questions. Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.truckinginfo.com/157837/70-answers-to-top-eld-questions
6. Sanghani, R. (2013, October 22). 'Technology leads to 84pc increase in office productivity'. Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10396263/Technology-leads-to-84pc-increase-in-office-productivity.html
7. T. (2017, December 13). Zonar completes ELD data transfer test with FMCSA. Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.ccjdigital.com/zonar-completes-eld-data-transfer-test-with-fmcsa/
8. Using Technology to Increase Your Business Productivity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.successfactors.com/en_us/lp/articles/using-technology-to-increase-your-business-productivity.html
9. What are the differences between AOBRD and ELD? (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.zonarsystems.com/eld/differences-between-aobrd-and-eld/
10. Zonar Logs Hours of Service ELD. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2018, from https://www.zonarsystems.com/solutions/zlogs-hours-of-service/
11. Zonar 2020 - ELD ratings (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2018, from http://eldratings.com/zonar/