Plumbers want to plumb
Ford Pro provides intelligent, connected solutions to challenges faced by small business owners every day, leaving them free to concentrate on what they do best.
Small businesses account for 99 per cent of all firms in the EU. They are crucial to the region's economy and laser-focused on serving their customers – leaving little time for taking care of van paperwork.
And as growing numbers of small businesses realise the benefits of electric vehicles, they need even more help to make the switch.
With the introduction of the E-Transit Custom, 1 Ford Pro is providing those businesses with the tools they need to run their electric vehicles – simply and efficiently – all from one trusted partner.
To illustrate how Ford Pro Software, Charging and Service solutions work hand-in-hand with connected vehicles to maximise productivity and uptime for hard-working small businesses, let's look at a typical day in the life of heating and plumbing company Haefner, based in Frankfurt, Germany...
07:30
Across the city from each other, two members of the Haefner team are preparing for another busy day.
Stjepan, a technician, is getting ready for work. He parked and charged his company van at home overnight, and using the Ford Pro Telematics Drive app, 2 he can see that his E-Transit Custom is now fully charged. He also used Remote Pre-Conditioning, so he knows that the vehicle's battery is at the right temperature for the best driving range and the cabin is warm and demisted. That means he can get going without wasting time or battery power.
Office manager Lutz is on his morning commute. Using the Ford Pro Telematics Drive app, he can also see that Stjepan's van – and those of the other Haefner technicians – are fully charged and ready for the day ahead.
Lutz knows that if a problem arose, he would receive alerts so that it could be resolved quickly, minimising knock-on effects. Ford Pro Charging aftercare includes a five-year hardware warranty and on-site support.
08:10
User-friendly software and interfaces quickly connect Haefner's technicians, the office, and Ford Pro services – helping to reduce paperwork.
Stjepan works through the walkaround of his van, using a bespoke daily checklist. He notices a cracked wing mirror, takes a photo and reports it through the Ford Pro Telematics Drive app.
Using one system that connects everybody and allows sharing of photos and information helps Lutz to immediately know about the issue so he can resolve it. It also reduces the likelihood that Haefner's technicians forget to tell Lutz about any vehicle issues, or waste time writing out reports.
Lutz is working through his email inbox when Stjepan's alert pops up via Ford Pro Telematics 2 on his laptop. He also sees a FORDLiive Smart Maintenance alert for brake wear. These real-time warnings direct from the vehicle flag issues before they can cause a breakdown – a valuable service when a van off the road costs the company almost €500 per day.
Lutz knows there is a car park at the job site which the customer will be happy to let them use, and arranges a Mobile Service van to visit while Stjepan is working. The Ford Pro technician will be able to do two jobs in one visit, fitting the new mirror and replacing the worn brakes.
Before the Mobile Service van heads off to the job, staff at the local Transit Centre load the parts and tools needed to fix Stjepan's van. They can also remotely see 60 days of technical data to check there are no other underlying issues.
Ford Pro has over 300 Mobile Service vans at work across Europe to help cut vehicle downtime for business customers.
11:30
Like any Ford Pro vehicle, E-Transit Custom is loaded with innovations inspired by the everyday experiences of hard-working customers, and can be tailored to support customers with specialised use cases.
Pro Power Onboard
Stjepan can make use of up to 2.3 kW of power from his E-Transit Custom to power electric tools and equipment using Pro Power Onboard. 3 The system has handy plug sockets in the cab and load area, and means he doesn't need to waste space carrying a separate generator and fuel.
The right tools for the job
Stjepan needs to organise his tools, new parts and test equipment within the van, and have space for any old components that he takes away from jobs for disposal.
Ford Pro offers a range of load system options including racks and slideouts to suit the unique needs of every trade.
Touchscreen engineering
Haefner used to spend lots of time and money fitting specialist equipment like hazard lighting to their fleet.
Ford Pro's unique new Vehicle Integration System and approved Ford Pro Convertor partners make it faster and easier to fit these systems with fewer modifications to the standard van.
13:00
Sandwich, emails, kit... For lots of tradespeople, their van's cab is also their canteen, office and locker room.
On his lunch break, Stjepan can flip the steering wheel into two positions while parked. A reclined angle provides a workspace for his laptop, and the full flat position makes for an ideal lunch table.
Alexa Built-in personal AI 4 enables Stjepan to enter the location of the next job in the navigation system, voice-activate calls, and even purchase items directly through Amazon.com.
A wireless charge pad 5 is keeping Stjepan's phone battery topped up during his busy day without trailing cables across the dashboard.
Ford engineers mounted the passenger airbag in the roof to create room for more handy storage. A new upper glovebox secures the laptop and A4 folder that Stjepan needs to keep within easy reach.
A built-in 5G modem is standard 6 on every E-Transit Custom to power the SYNC 4 communication and information system and enable over-the-air updates, 7 as well as connecting to Ford Pro's supporting services.
15:00
Customers call, plans change. Ford Pro connectivity makes that easier to deal with, even while on the road.
Lutz receives an urgent call from a customer who has noticed a serious leak coming from the main pipe into their building. He promises to send a technician over immediately and phones Stjepan, who can drive his electric E-Transit Custom into Frankfurt's low-emission zone without incurring any charges.
E-Transit Custom has dual phone pairing 7 so Stjepan can easily switch between his work and his personal phones to let the customer know he's on his way and tell his partner that he'll be home later than planned – without having to pull over.
Stjepan needs a specific component to fix the leak and it's not in stock locally. After the unexpected journey to collect it, he'll have to top up the van battery on the way home.
Stjepan uses the SYNC 4 system's 7 Ford Charge Assist app to quickly locate one of the more than 650,000 charging points in the BlueOval Charge Network. 8
He plugs into a 125 kW DC fast charger in the car park while buying the parts he needs. The charger adds around 80 km of range in 10 minutes while he's inside the store. 9
Ford Pro Charging's centralised monthly billing means Stjepan does not have to pay and expense the cost, and Lutz can avoid paperwork from multiple charging providers.
19:00
Less paperwork and more accurate information via connected charging.
Stjepan heads home and switches the digital logbook in Ford Pro Telematics Drive from Work to Commute. He could also select Personal if he was recording private mileage.
Stjepan charges his work vehicle overnight using a connected Ford Pro Home Charger installed at his house.
Charging when electrificity tariffs are cheapest can make a significant difference. Stjepan is able to use Ford Pro Charging Software to schedule charging during this time to help reduce costs.
Haefner repays its drivers for home charging at a set rate per kWh - just like they use a set rate per kilometre for diesel vans.
The E-Transit Custom automatically connects with Stjepan's home charger and shares charging data with Haefner's Ford Pro Telematics software to ensure he's correctly reimbursed each month and that Lutz has accurate records for compliance.
23:00
Tool and vehicle security is a critical issue for small businesses. Ford Pro hardware and software can help.
High-spec locks developed with security experts TVL and digital security software help peace of mind.
The optional high-security locks are designed to help protect against even extreme break-in methods – and Ford Pro offers factory fitting so there is no downtime or installation cost for Haefner.
Digital security sensors send instant alerts if someone tampers with the van's doors or if it moves unexpectedly, and can also remotely track a van's location.
This all helps Lutz spend less time filling out insurance forms, managing customer delays and finding replacement vehicles or tools.
1 Based on full charge of E-Transit Custom. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes and should only be compared with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Actual range varies due to factors such as temperature, driving behaviour, route profile, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and condition.’
2 Ford Pro Telematics is available complimentary for one year from the warranty start date, and then on a subscription basis, subject to agreement to Ford Smart Mobility terms and conditions, and provides a comprehensive suite of features in addition to vehicle health including location and mapping, driving behaviour, fuel/energy usage, multi-make capabilities and a companion app for drivers to interface with fleet managers. Fleet customers can contact the Ford Pro Software Command Centre at softwaresolutions@fordpro.com for information about these Ford Telematics products. Data availability subject to data connectivity and access to vehicle data.
3 See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions.
4 Seven European markets – Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Alexa will only be available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish in supported markets. An alternate market cannot access Alexa despite being able to use a supported language. To use Alexa Built-in, drivers need to activate FordPass Connect within their vehicle using the FordPass smartphone app or in-vehicle settings. Access to Alexa requires an Amazon account, SYNC 4 or SYNC 4A, FordPass Connect, and complimentary Connected Service activated through the FordPass app (see FordPass Terms for details). Additional products and setup may be required.
5 Available Qi wireless charging may not be compatible with all mobile phones.
6 Connected service and features depend on network availability and compatible plan. 5G not available everywhere. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Connected service excludes Wi-Fi hotspot. Available Wi-Fi hotspot requires separate subscription.
7 Don’t drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones.
8 Number of charge points across 36 European countries.
9 Figures given are based on best-case E-Transit Custom range. Actual charge times and charging speeds will vary according to the type of home or public charging station used, as well as other factors (including weather, ambient temperature, driving behaviour, driving profile, vehicle condition, lithium-ion battery age, condition, and temperature).
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