Mack Over The Air to be available on refuse and recycle vehicles

Mack Trucks has announced that Mack Over The Air (OTA) will be available on refuse and recycling vehicles including the Mack 2018 Granite, TerraPro and LR models equipped with Mack 2017 GHG engines. Mack OTA allows customers to update software without disrupting their schedules, improving efficiency and increasing uptime. Mack made the announcement Tuesday May 9 at WasteExpo 2017 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Mack refuse customers can plan for software updates and schedule them when it’s most convenient,” said David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicles and uptime services for Mack Trucks. “Refuse applications demand real-time service and support because they have to be up and running and on time. Mack OTA is the next step in our uptime journey.”

Mack OTA will be available on 2018 Mack LR models equipped with a Mack engine with the availability of GuardDog Connect beginning in Q3 2017. Mack OTA for the TerraPro and Granite models is also planned for later in 2017. Software updates for powertrain components and for vehicle parameters like road speed limits are available through Mack OTA.

Mack OTA capitalizes on fully integrated Mack GuardDog Connect telematics hardware to deliver the software updates directly to customers with minimal interruption to their operations. GuardDog Connect comes standard on every Mack model equipped with a Mack engine and provides proactive monitoring and repair planning, enabling real-time diagnosis of issues, scheduling of repairs and confirmation that needed parts are in stock and ready to install. Combined with Mack ASIST and Mack’s live OneCall™ uptime agents, GuardDog Connect delivers the right mix of people and technology to provide decision-critical information to maximize customer uptime. 

Mack’s uptime functions are based at the Mack Uptime Center, a 123,000 square-foot facility that houses personnel from every customer support function. Through the latest telematics, communications and case management tools, the Uptime Center allows Mack uptime agents to work through cross-functional teams and address customer needs quickly and efficiently.