Challenges
AAA of Southern New England, longtime users of Mentor Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) and Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), wanted to increase their mobile computing capabilities. The goals for the new technology were to decrease driver response times, provide drivers with instant procedural information, and accurately track their 122-vehicle fleet for faster dispatching.

Solution
The solution AAA of Southern New England chose included Mentor Ranger®, a rugged dash-mounted mobile computer, with integrated GPS for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL). Connecting Ranger to head office is Mentor's XGate® middleware, which packages and sends messages over virtually any wireless network. According to Beverly Sutton, Manager at AAA Southern New England: "We chose Ranger because of its many capabilities. Ranger stores and displays data so drivers can download things like towing and lock out procedures on the road. Ranger is user-friendly, and the drivers like the touchscreen and easy-viewing night screen."

Results
Since implementing the new technology, AAA Southern New England has seen many improvements, including drivers finding the shortest distance to a call. "With Ranger, the speed of our service has improved because drivers use the onscreen maps to see exactly where they are going," says Beverly. "As well, vehicles are dispatched quickly because we use the AVL system to make intelligent decisions about the best truck to send to a job."

Looking ahead, AAA Southern New England wants to make point-of-sale transactions part of their service. With Ranger's built-in credit card reader, drivers can process payments instantly, minimizing data entry.

"THE FACT THAT AAA SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND STILL USES MDCs/MDTs IS A TESTAMENT TO THE LONGEVITY OF OUR TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT SUITE. WE STAND BEHIND OUR OLDER DEVICES AND MOBILE DEVICE VERSIONS, GIVING CLUBS THE LOWEST COST OF OWNERSHIP IN THE BUSINESS."

- Mike Koebel, VP Sales and Business Development, Mentor Engineering

ROI

Improved Response Times Efficient Dispatching with the AVL System Fast Access to Job Procedures for Drivers