What is “Breakdown Manager”?

Breakdown Manager is a new way to manage the process of getting a truck back into service after it has broken down on the road.

How does it work?

Breakdown Manager is an Internet application program. That means it’s a computer program that “lives” on the Internet, instead of in your computer. You go to the Internet to use it.

Why not just have it on our computer?

First, because it’s on the Internet, there’s no software for you to have to buy, install, maintain or upgrade. You’ll always be dealing with the most up-to-date version of Breakdown Manager.

Second, because it’s on the Internet, you can use it anywhere. Our man pictured here was at a family picnic when he got a call saying one of his trucks had broken down.

Instead of rushing to the office, he borrowed his niece’s computer for a few minutes, jumped onto the Internet, and got the repair process started.

And he can do that anywhere he can get Internet access – anywhere in the world.

What does Breakdown Manager do?

First, you create an accurate, standardized record of the incident. No more scribbled scraps of paper to get lost or to be deciphered later on.

Second, you can access an enormous, always up-to-date database of service providers. With computer efficiency, we can provide you with a database more accurate than any paper directory could ever be.

Is this just for tires?

It’s for both tires and mechanical service. The database includes over 2,500 dealers and truckstops, each of which has full access to your requirements, whether you’re a National Fleet or National Preferred customer. And each is an authorized provider of Bridgestone and Firestone products.

And for mechanical service? We have a database of some 35,000 shops, maintained by iFleet, Inc., our call center provider. These service providers must also meet rigorous standards for performance and integrity, and the list is also continually updated. What if we want to use our own providers? No problem. In fact, you can create, with Breakdown Manager software, your own database of “preferred providers.” You can rank them according to service quality and your list is always ready, anytime, anywhere you access Breakdown Manager.

How do we dispatch the service provider?

Pretty much any way you want.

If you prefer to do your own dispatching, you can. We call this “Self Dispatch.” It’s the “do-it-yourself” option. Maybe you just want to pick the service provider, then have the call center do the rest. We call that “Shared Dispatch.”

Or, maybe you’re just too busy. We’ll be happy to handle the whole process for you. You can even have your drivers call us directly. And, for their convenience, “Outsourced Dispatch” is available via the same phone numbers they use for National Preferred or National Fleet calls.

Finally, you can let your workload be your guide. Handle dispatch for some breakdowns yourself, but at night, or when you’re too busy, let us take care of them. We call this “Mixed Dispatch.”

How do we know everything’s getting done?

Within Breakdown Manager, you can specify when repairs should be completed, and even set alarms to warn you if things are running behind.

To the extent you want to, you can keep track of everything. That’s a big help with rescheduling deliveries and future pickups.

Can other people see what is going on?

Breakdown Manager creates a secure, backed-up site for you, and only you. You’re protected by a password and can have multiple passwords for your employees, giving them as much or as little access as you want.

Full security and full backup means you won’t have to worry about lost data or prying eyes.

What kind of reports can we get? Several standard formats are available right now: reports on each breakdown incident, on each day’s incidents, on accidents, and several summary reports. These will help you manage today’s breakdowns and plan how you’re going to handle those in the future. And all of them use standard ATA codes. What will this cost? Breakdown Manger is very affordable. There’s no software to buy, install, maintain or upgrade. And, because you have your own secure site, there’s no burden on your computers for storage. There’s a one-time fee for recording each incident. After that, you can access the system and your records as often as you wish, at no additional charge. How will we be billed? We will bill you for recording each incident, while billing for repair services depends on what kind of services they are, and who provides them. The chart shows how simple this is.

Is Breakdown Manager easy to learn?

Like many Internet-based systems, Breakdown Manager is designed to be logical and intuitive. And, we provide initial training and support at a very nominal fee.

Breakdown Manager also features an online help system, and there’s a hotline to call for special needs.

How can we get started?

Just ask your Bridgestone/Firestone representative to arrange a free demonstration – on your own computer. Breakdowns are inevitable in this business. But with Breakdown Manager, breakdown hassles are optional.