POWAY, Calif. — Mitchell 1 and Zonar Systems have entered into a strategic agreement to integrate Mitchell 1’s Repair-Connect web services into Zonar’s Ground Traffic Control web-based data management software to offer Zonar Rx.

Once the integration is complete, Zonar Rx will communicate trouble codes from an engine control module (ECM) and also provide the essential service information to diagnose and repair the problem.

“The relationship with Zonar and the development of this new offering is a natural evolution for both companies," said Dave Costantino, CVG director. "Integrating our Repair-Connect application with Zonar’s ECM data capturing capability takes diagnostics and repair information to a whole new level.”

Mitchell 1’s Repair-Connect application uses diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) to gather all of the information required to fix the problem identified by the code. Seven tabs presented in the Repair-Connect program contain details specific to the reported DTC, such as component location, connector views, removal and installation, wiring diagrams, specifications and more. 

Zonar’s Ground Traffic Control software provides a real-time picture of fleet operations. It presents all of the information available through any of Zonar's electronic fleet management products. When a customer’s vehicle reports a trouble code, Zonar Rx will instantly notify the customer of the problem and present the repair information required to service the vehicle and clear the trouble code.

“The alliance between Mitchell 1 and Zonar brings unique and innovative time-saving benefits to our customers,” said Chris Oliver, vice president of marketing at Zonar Systems.

Zonar Systems provides electronic fleet inspection, tracking and operations solutions to public and private fleets. Mitchell 1 provides service, repair and diagnostic information to the trucking and automotive industries. The Mitchell 1 family of products includes a complete line of integrated software tools designed to maximize repair shop productivity.

In other news, Zonar Systems' ZPass student ridership tracking technology was named a finalist in the 2011 Edison Best New Product Awards, in the Innovative Services — Health, Wellness & Safety Segment.

The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Alva Edison. The ballot of nominees for the awards is judged by roughly 2,000 members of the not-for-profit Marketing Executives Networking Group, an organization comprising America's top marketing professionals and academics. In a comprehensive peer-review process, the nominees are judged on marketplace innovation, marketplace success, technological innovation, market structure innovation, societal impact and design innovation. 

Winners of the gold, silver and bronze awards will be announced April 5, 2011, at the Capitale Ballroom in New York.