Orlando, Fla. – An advanced user-friendly screen and navigation system are the hallmarks of the Pro-Link iQ, the new innovative hand-held scan tool from NEXIQ Technologies for commercial vehicle information and diagnostic applications. The Pro-Link iQ was introduced by NEXIQ Technologies, a brand of Snap-on Incorporated, at the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) annual Meeting, February 3-7, 2008, in Orlando, Florida.
In association with Menlo Innovations, a ground-breaking, Ann Arbor, Michigan-based software design and development firm, the NEXIQ Technologies product-development team worked with heavy-duty truck technicians to understand what technicians needed, wanted and expected in the scan tools they use in their maintenance and repair work. What NEXIQ learned was then applied to the iQ’s functional design and software programming flow.
The result is iQ’s unique Graphic User Interface (GUI), a clear, easy-to-use, functional touch screen that makes diagnostic scanning intuitive and simple.
The GUI was developed through a proprietary Menlo comprehensive observation and interview process. Menlo dispatched its uniquely trained researchers, known as High-Tech Anthropologists®, to scrutinize the way service technicians use scan tools in their daily maintenance and repair work currently, and how they would like to use them in the future.
Richard Sheridan, President of Menlo Innovations, said, “Our goal was to talk to as many of the people who actually use these tools as possible. They’re the end users, the ones who have the real hands-on experience and knowledge of what’s needed to make these devices effective in the service bays. Their valuable insights were critical in the development of the iQ interface.”
Menlo personnel, along with NEXIQ product management staff spent an extensive amount of time with technicians in a variety of repair and maintenance facilities around the country.
“What we’ve all learned was remarkable and indispensable,” said Tom Kotenko, Director, NEXIQ Technologies. “We took what we’ve learned and working with our OEM partners provided a software and hardware product that will simplify the technicians’ ability to obtain vehicle information for use in diagnostics or preventive maintenance”.
Menlo and NEXIQ Technologies found that technicians wanted clear, sharp graphics, easier data downloads, and a screen that would allow more information to be clearly displayed. In addition, simplicity, intuitive use and navigation were “musts.”
The iQ GUI competently addresses those concerns. It is an innovative tool that requires no training to use. Technicians can pick it up and begin using it immediately through a series of easy-to-read touch screens sorted by a set of clearly marked navigation tabs. Data—text and graphs—are displayed clearly and colorfully in an easy-to-read manner.
Kotenko said that with Menlo’s help, NEXIQ Technologies has created a tool that makes commercial-vehicle diagnostics more productive, efficient and accurate than ever before. One word “Simplicity” defines the iQ. Presently, the technician struggles or waits to obtain information from the vehicle. With Menlo’s assistance, the Pro-Link iQ and NEXIQ Technologies have helped the technician achieve his desire to become more efficient.”
Pro-Link iQ currently is available nationwide exclusively through Snap-on franchisees. After May 8, 2008, it will be available through NEXIQ distributors. See it in action at booth #1223 during TMC in Orlando.
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About NEXIQ: For nearly 30 years, NEXIQ Technologies, a division of Snap-on Incorporated, has been a leading provider of diagnostic products, information management solutions and wireless, Internet-based telematics solutions for the commercial-vehicle industry. Because of the company’s intellectual-property ownership and diagnostics expertise in transportation, NEXIQ is uniquely qualified to deliver IT solutions to leading truck, automotive and component OEMs, fleet operators, and truck-leasing companies as well as dealer service centers in the commercial-vehicle market. NEXIQ is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. For more about NEXIQ Technologies, please visit www.nexiq.com.
Contacts:
Mike Kelly
Group-eX: Buffington & Associates for NEXIQ
248-291-0377, ext. 4006
mike@group-ex.com
Richard Sheridan, Menlo Innovations
734-665-1847
rsheridan@menloinnovations.com
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