By Rajesh Rajgor
At Eicher’s Pithampur facility, I experienced firsthand how Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), is transforming fleet management with its advanced connected vehicle ecosystem. Central to this transformation is the MyEicher app, which connects more than 275,000 trucks and buses to Eicher’s Uptime Centre, delivering real-time management and predictive maintenance solutions. With over 115,000 customers across India relying on it, the app has become an essential tool for optimizing fleet operations and minimizing downtime.
Key Benefits of MyEicher App
First up at the uptime center, the top management presented the salient features of the MyEicher app. It provides a comprehensive platform for fleet management, offering real-time vehicle tracking, fuel consumption insights, and predictive maintenance alerts. These features enable fleet managers to make informed decisions, reduce fuel costs, and improve driver performance. The app is accessible on both mobile and desktop platforms, allowing users to monitor trips, vehicle health, and fuel efficiency seamlessly.
A standout feature is predictive maintenance, which flags potential issues before they escalate, reducing unplanned downtime. Additionally, fuel management tools allow operators to track consumption patterns and optimize routes and driving behaviors, directly impacting profitability. The driver management feature provides feedback on driving performance, enhancing safety and fuel efficiency.
Eicher’s commitment to maximizing vehicle uptime extends to comprehensive integration with its service network. The MyEicher app connects all Eicher dealerships and service centers, enabling proactive maintenance planning, parts management, and seamless service bookings, all with the aim of minimizing vehicle downtime. Fleet managers can track service history, access invoices, and manage their fleet’s health in real time.
Streamlining Fleet Operations
The MyEicher app also offers advanced features like geofencing, performance reports, and live dashboards to provide deeper insights into vehicle health and operational productivity. Fleet operators can manage trips, ensure fuel efficiency, and monitor overall fleet performance, contributing to improved uptime and smoother operations. This real-time visibility gives customers seamless access to critical data, including service bookings, roadside assistance, and service history—all through the app, ensuring complete transparency.
Another key feature is workshop tracking, allowing customers to track vehicles from booking to delivery at service centers, with real-time updates on job status. Additionally, the app’s Share on Road service ensures that technicians can reach customers quickly during breakdowns, providing prompt assistance and vehicle tracking.
Enhancing Vehicle Uptime and Sustainability
Launched in 2020, the MyEicher app has been continuously evolving. According to Ramesh Rajagopalan, Executive Vice President & Head of Customer Services at VECV, this evolution reflects Eicher’s commitment to listening to customer feedback and enhancing the overall ownership experience. Upcoming updates will allow customers to purchase vehicle accessories and specialized solutions for sectors like school buses and mining directly through the app.
The app also supports electric vehicles (EVs), offering features such as monitoring the state of charge and tracking carbon footprint savings, aligned with the growing emphasis on sustainability. Eicher’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions in fleet management is evident through this robust ecosystem, which empowers fleet operators to reduce downtime, improve fuel efficiency, enhance safety, and maximize profitability.
At the plant, I had an insightful discussion with Ramesh Rajagopalan, Executive Vice President – Customer Service, Retail Excellence and Network Development, VECV, to learn more about the MyEicher App. Here are edited excerpts:
Could you elaborate on the significant features of the MyEicher app?
Launched in 2020 alongside our 100% connected vehicles, the MyEicher app gives customers control over their business from a single platform. It integrates trip management, fuel management, and driver management—three pillars of transport operations. Operators can efficiently plan trips, understand fleet utilization, and reduce idle times. The app tracks real-time data from sensors, offering insights into vehicle performance and diesel consumption. Driver management focuses on monitoring behavior, such as hard braking and gear usage, providing live feedback to help drivers adjust their habits, leading to substantial fuel savings.
How does the app integrate with your aftermarket services and support predictive maintenance?
The MyEicher app is part of a broader digital ecosystem linked to all our dealerships and mobile service units, allowing real-time tracking of each vehicle’s location, whether on the road or in the workshop. We use this data for proactive planning, ensuring service centers have the necessary parts based on the route’s trucks are taking, thereby maximizing uptime and minimizing disruptions. The app also enhances our Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) by analyzing historical maintenance data to identify patterns, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs for our customers.
How have you designed the user interface for both mobile and desktop platforms to meet customer needs?
The desktop version offers detailed reports and analytics, while the mobile app is lightweight and intuitive, focusing on exception-based reporting. Since fleet managers are often busy, the app highlights what’s most important – vehicles that are stopped, in service, or require immediate attention. This design ensures that customers can quickly act on any issues as they arise.
What’s next for the MyEicher app?
Our next step is to transform the app into a marketplace where customers can purchase accessories like tyres and batteries. Additionally, we are exploring specialized solutions for industries such as mining and school transportation. We aim to allow customers to integrate APIs into their systems, further enhancing the app’s functionality. It’s a continuous journey of improvement, and we are excited about what’s ahead.