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New Zonar tablet targets fleet inspection, efficiency

At the trade show on Tuesday, Zonar reveals its 2020 telematics tablet, which officials say is the first portable device to provide electronic inspection, hours-of-service, instant driver feedback, fuel efficiency, two-way messaging and advanced navigation in an open platform that allows fleets to integrate other systems and customize its use.

October 23, 2012
2 min to read


Zonar’s Mike McQuade says that the 2020 telematics tablet provides “managers with true fleet visibility and drivers with a versatile productivity tool.”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — At the trade show on Tuesday, Zonar revealed its 2020 telematics tablet, calling it “a powerful tool to enhance fleet efficiency and performance.”

Company officials said that the innovative tablet is the first portable device to provide electronic inspection, hours-of-service, instant driver feedback, fuel efficiency, two-way messaging and advanced navigation in an open platform that allows fleets to integrate other systems and customize its use.

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Data captured with the 2020 are instantly available to fleet managers for reporting and process improvements. Drivers can improve productivity with advanced vehicle operation applications and an easy-to-navigate touch screen.

“This product is the most important advancement for Zonar since the invention of the patented Electronic Vehicle Inspection Report [EVIR],” said Mike McQuade, chief technology officer at Zonar. “From vehicle inspections to driver behavior, the 2020 is an all-in-one device that captures information throughout various aspects of fleet operations to provide managers with true fleet visibility and drivers with a versatile productivity tool.”

Unique to the 2020 is the ability to ensure inspection compliance and streamline repairs with the EVIR system. Drivers use the 2020’s built-in RFID reader to scan tags placed at each inspection point.

Drivers identify component conditions using the onscreen QWERTY keyboard and can send pictures of defects with the completed report. All inspection information is available to fleet and maintenance managers through Zonar’s web-based Ground Traffic Control application.

While EVIR helps with inspection compliance, Zonar’s ZLogs helps ensure hours-of-service compliance. Available through 2020 and new to Ground Traffic Control, ZLogs is an hours-of-service application that works to ensure that drivers are operating within the limits of safety. Drivers can view available hours, update duty status and electronically submit service records through the 2020 tablet.

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The 2020 also provides two-way messaging to further enhance fleet productivity and improve communication. The two-way messaging feature includes inboxes, message templates and a grouping function for sending messages to specific groups of vehicles.

Other notable 2020 features include an advanced navigation system, 16GB NAND flash storage memory, 7-inch widescreen resistive-touch display, SD/MMC card slot, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, video recording capability, in-cab training, Bluetooth and built-in flashlight.

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