Mack Trucks has integrated Allison Transmission monitoring within the Mack GuardDog Connect telematics solution, now available across all Mack powertrains. The move was announced Wednesday after the conclusion of a succession completion of a pilot program.
Mack says the expanded offering builds on Mack’s March announcement of its industry-first partnership with Allison Transmission, which has delivered exceptional results during the pilot phase. Mack states the original integration introduced direct incorporation of Allison Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) data and other parameters into GuardDog Connect’s 24/7 monitoring service, streamlining customer communications by providing one point of contact through Mack rather than multiple sources.
Now, this proven approach is being made available across Mack’s complete powertrain lineup. Customer feedback revealed 100% satisfaction with the integrated approach, with participants praising the streamlined communications and proactive service capabilities, the company says.
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“The pilot program results exceeded our expectations,” says Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Achieving 100% customer satisfaction validates our commitment to making Mack easy to do business with. We’re now ready to extend these proven benefits to customers across our entire powertrain lineup.”
Mack reports the pilot program demonstrated significant value for fleet operators managing diverse vehicle configurations. Waste Pro USA, one of the pilot participants, reported substantial operational improvements through the integrated monitoring system.
“The program works very well,” says David Kutschinski, vice president of fleet and maintenance at Waste Pro USA. “Critical alerts like an overheat or low oil pressure are delivered in real time, while other non-critical alerts are appropriately delayed because the system wants to see if the code will correct itself before sending an alert. We utilize the notifications based on severity and find the information invaluable in our fleet maintenance activities.”
Eagle Rock Concrete, another pilot participant, emphasized the clarity the system provides: “Clarification as to whether the fault is only showing as the ‘wrench’ symbol on the transmission control panel or if it is chassis related between the transmission and truck gives us the insight we need for faster decision-making," says Wesley Massey, the company’s assets and environmental manager.
Mack adds the full launch introduces enhanced monitoring capabilities that extend beyond the original pilot scope. The expanded GuardDog Connect integration now provides:
- Universal Coverage: Available across all Mack powertrains, not limited to specific configurations
- Retroactive Access: Existing customers with compatible vehicles can access the service immediately
- Enhanced Diagnostics: Improved fault code interpretation and resolution guidance
- Streamlined Service Coordination: Single point of contact for all powertrain-related issues
“This isn’t just about new customers,” says Marty Foulks, Mack connected vehicle product manager. “We’re making these enhanced capabilities available to our entire customer base with compatible vehicles, ensuring no one is left behind as we advance our telematics offerings.”
Finally, Mack adds the expansion addresses critical industry needs identified through customer feedback and market analysis. Key improvements include:
- Moving forward with seamless Allison Transmission integration
- Identifying opportunities to enhance supplier support relationships
- Developing comprehensive service protocols for mixed-fleet operations
- Creating roadmaps to prioritize supplier integrations based on customer demand
“We’ve learned from our pilot customers that fleet operators need integrated solutions that work across their entire operation,” Foulks says. “This expansion delivers on that need while maintaining the quality and reliability Mack customers expect.”
The Allison integration represents part of Mack’s broader strategy to enhance customer uptime through advanced telematics and proactive service solutions. The company states it continues to explore additional supplier integrations and service enhancements based on customer feedback and industry demands.
“Our goal remains focused on maximizing customer uptime and simplifying fleet management,” Randall says. “This successful expansion proves that when we listen to our customers and deliver integrated solutions, everyone benefits.”
The enhanced GuardDog Connect service with full Allison Transmission integration is now available to all eligible customers with Integrated Uptime subscriptions at no additional charge, the company says.
