Fleets buying the new Sprinter can opt for a range of connected solutions to streamline their operations.

Mercedes Pro offers eight telematics packages with 18 services for the Sprinter

Revealed earlier this year, the third-generation van builds on Mercedes-Benz Vans’ work to reposition as a “provider of integral transport and mobility solutions”. This includes the eight telematics packages, which cover 18 central fleet, vehicle, driver and location-based services in total to aid fleet management, minimise downtime and help cut costs.

Launched under the Mercedes Pro brand for connectivity solutions – and aimed at fleets small to large – the solutions utilise the standard-kit LTE communication module, which provides an interface between the fleet manager’s web-based vehicle management tool and the driver’s app, and the Sprinter’s optional MBUX multimedia system.

The eight packages cover:

Optimized Assistance – this can help with planning of service and maintenance work to reduce downtime and make costs more transparent.

Efficient Fleet Management – this enables quick and flexible planning, and better utilisation of the fleet capacity thanks to transparency over vehicle location and status.

Improved Navigation – this optimises the route planning based on real-time traffic data, up-to-date map data, and the option of directly sending a Point-of-Interest (POI) to the vehicle as a navigation destination.

Efficient Driving Style Analysis – this provides meaningful data on the driving style that can be used to optimise fuel consumption, for example.

Simplified Fleet Communication – this optimises the connection between driver and fleet manager, who can send messages directly to the Mercedes PRO App and allocate assignments: interactively, quickly and directly.

Digital Records – this allows saving of completed routes, e.g. for the separate administration of business and private journeys.

Mobile Vehicle Access – this increases anti-theft protection and improves working processes as the vehicle can be checked and locked remotely, and it is also possible to open the vehicle without a key.

Data Interfaces Mercedes-Benz Vans – these integrate the new Sprinter into existing fleet management solutions.

The services are initially available in 19 European markets and will be launched in the USA in the third quarter of 2018.

Björn Sack, head of connectivity and digital services at Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: “We are setting standards in the commercial segment with the Mercedes Pro services and the Mercedes-Benz User Experience. We offer our customers a premium-class user experience: functional, application-specific, efficient and intelligent.”