AT&T inks IoT deals with CarForce and Caterpillar

AT&T IoT connected businessAmerican telecom operator AT&T announced its Internet of Things (IoT) deals with CarForce and Caterpillar.

Caterpillar is using AT&T’s IoT services to connect and manage heavy machines and engines around the globe. The new multi-year, global deal connects Caterpillar products to the AT&T 4G LTE network.

CarForce will utilize AT&T’s IoT network to assist its car dealerships, fleet managers, and repair shops to better manage car maintenance and predict car issues. CarForce is selecting Denmark to launch an Internet of Things (IoT) solution in the first quarter of 2018.

ALSO READ: Latest news from Mobile World Congress 2018

The AT&T network combined with an AT&T Global SIM card and IoT management services helps Caterpillar, its dealers and customers better track, manage and deploy asset connectivity in more than 155 countries.
AT&T IoT technology platform
The AT&T network and IoT solutions will power IoT technology and services toolkit called Cat Connect. The IoT solution will boost efficiency, improve safety and save time and money for Caterpillar, its dealers and customers by gathering near real-time information about their equipment’s performance on the jobsite.

CarForce’s software solution is uses in-car diagnostics to provide dealerships and large fleet managers with a near-real time dashboard on the health of their customers’ vehicles. It also uses Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide preventative and predictive vehicle maintenance.

CarForce will launch its solution in Denmark through FTZ, a HELLA company, that has a distribution network of roughly 1,500 vehicle service shops. CarForce will offer its connected garage experience to about 80 percent of Danish dealer and garage market, which includes up to 2.4 million cars.

CarForce plans to launch in the U.S., France, and Germany later this year.

Car dealerships use CarForce solutions to provide automated car maintenance service to customers that helps reduce vehicle downtime and increase efficiencies in parts supply and repair networks.

AT&T said its LTE-M network is available in North America and Mexico and will enable longer battery life, improved coverage, and lower costs when compared to traditional IoT cellular connectivity.