A man who was selling stolen trade secrets is now going to prison.
The FBI caught the criminal through an undercover operation.
A second man connected to the case is reportedly still at large.
Klaus Pflugbeil thought he had it all figured out. Swipe some trade secrets, make $1.3 million, and quietly build a tech business overseas. Instead, the former employee of a company bought by Tesla is now facing two years in federal prison. Why? Because, unsurprisingly, the FBI has little patience for blatant industrial espionage. His partner is allegedly still at large.
Authorities nabbed Pflugbeil back in March after he allegedly attempted to sell sensitive tech to someone he thought was a buyer. It wasn’t. It was an undercover FBI agent ready to ruin his day. According to the Department of Justice, Pflugbeil “built a business in China to sell the sensitive technology that belongs to a U.S. company.” That’s a sanitized way of saying he and his partner cooked up a scheme to peddle trade secrets while hoping nobody in America would notice. They noticed.
As we noted in our original coverage, the DOJ doesn’t specifically say that Pflugbeil stole these secrets from Tesla. However, several factors, including its acquisition of a Canadian tech manufacturer (Hibar Systems) in 2019, for whom Pflugbeil used to work for, point to Tesla as the “leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company” the official records refer to.
“His actions were bold – he even advertised that he was selling the victim’s products – because he thought, incorrectly, that he was outside the reach of U.S. prosecutors,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to would-be offenders: My office will do everything it can to protect American innovation and national security no matter where you try to hide.”
In that same vein, it’s worth noting that Pflugbeil’s co-defendant, Yilong Shao, remains at large according to the DOJ. Evidently, the pair were quite blatant in their work. The DOJ says that Pflugbeil sent several documents including trade secrets to Shao and even said things like “[it’s] in a different format, so it looks very original and not like a copy.” The pair then advertised their products, precision dispensing pumps, and battery assembly lines, across the globe.
They showed up at trade shows, sent emails, and even claimed directly that their products didn’t infringe on any patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property. Somewhat ironically, Pflugbeil’s LinkedIn profile features a quote from Benjamin Jowett as his banner: “The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them,” it says. Perhaps he should’ve made sure that Tesla got full credit for the tech he professed to create.
An increasing number of Tesla owners report issues where many car features stop working.
The problem appears to affect only cars with hardware version 4, and the fix remains unclear.
No recall or service bulletin has been issued to address this growing issue yet.
Imagine getting to work a few days or weeks after buying a brand new Tesla only to realize there are major issues. The cameras aren’t functioning, the GPS still thinks you’re sitting at home, and features like emergency braking don’t work. That’s exactly the type of situation that a number of Tesla owners are dealing with right now.
Several of these drivers claim to have taken delivery within the last month or two. This detail is important not just for the inconvenience it causes, but also because it might point to the root of the problem. These owners report that they all have Tesla’s AP4 or hardware version 4 chipset, which is responsible for the features mentioned above. If it has a problem, those features won’t work, so it could very well be the crux of this whole situation.
Glitches, Delays, and Angry Owners
Over on Reddit, several owners report very similar symptoms. On top of that, they claim that Tesla service centers are routinely scheduling to swap out AP4 hardware and delaying appointment times.
“Happened to me: 2024 Model Y. Navigation shows me at home. All the time. Cameras out. Even the display does not adjust. Auto lights don’t adjust. Appointment on January 13 wayyy delayed,” said one commenter.
“I was contacted by Tesla today and the tech from my local service center told me that Tesla has told them to stop replacing the computers until they get to the root cause. He said they’re going to try and fix it with a software update and to expect 30 days. I find this mind-blowing because my symptoms started happening on Dec 2 and now my service date has been pushed back to Jan 23, nearly 2 months later,” said another.
There are many more complains on forums, including this one: “After a software update pushed by Tesla, the AP4 computer in my 2024 Tesla Model Y shorted out, causing a complete failure of all systems controlled by this computer.”
Electrek reports that sources from inside Tesla say that it’s related to a short circuit: “The cause is still being investigated, but one source told Electrek that one of the possible causes is the low-voltage battery short-circuiting the computer during the camera calibration process.” According to the outlet, one source claimed that Tesla Service has a mandate to “to play down any safety concerns related to this problem to avoid people believing their brand-new cars are not drivable.”
That seems like a tough job for Tesla Service employees considering how much emphasis the brand itself places on touting its safety record and technology. Notably, the NHTSA currently requires cars to have a functional backup camera, so it’s strange no recall related to this issue has been announced. That could change any day, but it’s also possible that Tesla will send an update that will fix the problem remotely, if it’s software related.
We’d ask Tesla, but, well, they don’t have a press department, though it appears that they might’ve recently hired one, as you can see from this Linkedin posting. We’ll keep an eye out to see if they decide to actually say something.
Are you a Tesla owner dealing with this headache? Share your saga in the comments. You can also report the issue to the NHTSA here, or if you’re in Canada, go ahead and do that here
Tesla’s Fleet API pricing, set to launch in 2025, will significantly impact developers.
Put simply, it costs a lot for those who make third-party applications with the API.
Some applications can continue running without the API but others will die off.
Tesla has now announced public pricing for its Fleet API, set to go live in January 2025. From that point, application developers will need to start paying for access. One developer has claimed the new pricing structure could cost him tens of millions, while others have found workarounds—for now.
The Fleet API is a tool for third-party developers. It enables them to create software applications that directly interface with Tesla vehicles. Then, they can provide new or novel functionality to owners.
The company explains that each account will receive a $10 monthly discount, which will cover the cost of creating useful automations for a few vehicles. For instance, this can cover data streaming, 100 commands, and 2 wakes per day for two vehicles. That sounds fine for an individual owner. What happens if you run a business with thousands of calls for data per month?
$60 Million Bill?
One Reddit poster specifically said that it would cost him some $60 million a year to keep his app going under this pricing. He even broke down the pricing.
“Every 30 seconds when the car is awake and busy (driving, charging, Sentry Mode, etc.) Assuming someone leaves Sentry on (common) and the car stays busy, and there are 43,829 minutes in a month, that’s 87,658 calls per month. At $1 per 500 requests, that’s $175 for one month for one vehicle – not counting wakes or commands.
In the worst case, where all vehicles are subscribed and all vehicles have Sentry on, it’s actually 470,000 vehicles * $175 = $82,250,000 per month or $987,000,000 per year. Plus wakes and commands. Might put it over a billion dollars a year?”
How will popular apps like S3XY Buttons end up being affected? Well, in a separate Reddit thread they explain that like many other apps, they don’t even use the API now. So in their case, they won’t see functionality change. The team there laid it out simply. “We are getting our data straight from the source, but those who use the Cloud API will be affected.”
Essentially, the future for many third-party Tesla apps is in flux. Some will continue, others won’t, and the only way that more survive is if Tesla cuts pricing.
Enhance Auto just announced physical turn signal add-ons for popular Teslas.
The new aftermarket accessory is available for the left or right of the wheel or as a pair.
These stalks offer dozens of customizable functions for improved driving convenience.
Take a drive in a new Tesla—say, the freshly updated Model 3 Highland—and you might notice something amiss. No, it’s not the autopilot fanfare or the borderline obsessive minimalism, but the humble turn signal stalk. In its ongoing quest to simplify, save a buck, or perhaps acclimate us all to a stalk-free Cybertruck future (take your pick), Tesla has migrated the turn signal controls to touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel.
But if you’re longing for the good old tactile days, fear not: a company dedicated to bringing back physical controls has launched a retro-style solution, appropriately named the S3XY Stalks.
This product that was introduced today comes from Enhance Auto. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the brand already makes other popular physical button components for various Tesla cars. One of its creations is the S3XY Knob, a physical interface that rests in the center console. It’s been working on the stalks for months.
Easy Installation
The cool thing about these stalks is that, unlike other aftermarket options we’ve seen for the latest Model 3 Highland, they don’t require disassembly of the steering wheel. This avoids potential warranty issues and eliminates the headache of dealing with parts that don’t receive software updates. Instead, the stalks simply attach to the steering column and communicate via Bluetooth with a Commander unit mounted on the A-pillar via Bluetooth.
The S3XY stalks sit where one would expect them, on each side of the steering wheel. Once attached, the user can simply flick them up or down to light up a turn signal. Users can customize what the stalks do and add an additional action available via a button on the end of each stalk. The commands from the stalks go to what Enhance calls the Generation 2 Commander and then to the car.
According to Enhance, the stalks feature a replaceable battery designed to last at least a year with typical use. While the current version is tailored for the 2024+ Model 3 Highland, the company has announced that compatible versions for the Model S and Model X are in development and expected to launch in April 2025.
Based on videos showing the stalks in action, it appears as though this is a seriously top-notch upgrade. The design is clean, blends into the cabin as though it were a factory option, and the reaction time seems to be just as quick as it should be.
Pricing And Availability
According to Enhance, the S3XY Stalks are available for pre-order today (Nov 29) for $343.69 or $363.69 depending on the Tesla one owns. Notably, it appears as though the only option available to pre-order right now is the full package. That includes both stalks, the Gen2 Commander, wiring, and cleaning wipes.
At the same time, the company claims that at some point soon, buyers will be able to pick up either stalk individually or both stalks but without the Gen2 Commander. That should cut costs for those who might already have other Enhance products that include the commander already. Shipments begin in February of 2025.
A Problem No One Asked For
It’s a simple solution to fix what can only be described as a dumb idea—one that probably should never have made it past an over-caffeinated engineering brainstorming session. It’s right up there with the decision to ditch the $3 rain sensor in favor of using cameras for auto wipers (just ask Tesla owners how well that turned out). Whether the S3XY Stalks deliver on their promise, we’ll find out soon enough once they land in the hands of real-world users.
In the meantime, check out some videos below of other existing solutions for adding stalks to the Model 3 Highland, which required disassembly of the steering wheel.
Rivian’s software chief discussed upcoming features, including the release timeline for Google Cast.
The company is exploring voice commands to make all infotainment functions accessible via AI integration.
Unlockable performance or range upgrades may be introduced through future subscription-based software features.
Google Cast is set to arrive in Rivian vehicles very soon. This was one of the standout announcements from a recent ‘fireside chat’ with Rivian’s chief software officer, Wassym Bensaid, attended by Carscoops. During the discussion, Bensaid offered a glimpse into the brand’s ongoing software development, teasing features to watch out for and a few that might raise eyebrows.
For a company that has deliberately eschewed Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the addition of Google Cast marks an interesting, if somewhat lateral, step forward. Google Cast isn’t a perfect solution for that, but it will enhance the overall experience for Rivian customers. Now, the company is about to launch it with software update .47 coming before the end of 2024. Not stopping there, Rivian’s engineers are also working on enabling rear-seat passengers to cast content directly to the back screens.
Voice Controls To Rival Physical Interfaces
In addition to Google Cast, Rivian is honing its speech-to-text functionality, with artificial intelligence playing a pivotal role. Bensaid confirmed that it’ll co-exist with Alexa that’s already integrated into its vehicles. He also says that everything that you can access in the infotainment system should be accessible via speech-to-text.
That’s right, he’s hoping to make it so that your voice can do anything in the system that your hand could do. He also believes owners will have the ability to access the same features via their mobile device. On top of that, he says it’s coming in 2025.
Physical Buttons? Not Likely
To be fair, the brand never really had many physical buttons in its cars to begin with. Still, the market appears to be trending back toward physical buttons after a couple of decades of moving away from them in favor of touchscreens. When pressed on whether or not Rivian would also begin to include physical buttons, Bensaid made his position clear.
While the company is adding haptic buttons to the steering wheels of its cars, the main interface isn’t going to change much. “We believe that if we have a cluttered interface with lots of physical buttons that the challenge with physical buttons is that they’re there forever,” Bensaid said.
“You can never change them, you have assigned functionalities. Whereas if you make it software, you have the ability to improve it over time based on customer feedback. That’s the guiding principle of why we don’t want to constrain ourselves to physical buttons,” he added.
Carscoops pushed a little harder concerning things like climate control buttons. Here’s what Rivian’s Vivek Surya told us.
“In Rivian vehicles, climate controls are integrated into the overall software stack, which means they interact with different systems in the car,” said Surya. “We want as many features as possible to be scalable and modular so we can quickly evolve in-vehicle experiences – and reduce mental load on the customer as complex hardware and software work in concert behind the scenes for features like automation.”
For example, here are some recent features that demonstrate the flexibility “untethering” from physical buttons gives us:
Driver profile specific customizable vent positions that can set multiple vents at the same time with a single touch
Tri-zone climate control, which expands the customization and adds more access to fine tune controls.
Unlockable Power And Range May Be On The Table
Rivian’s Connect+ software also led to a question about range and power. As of this writing, Connect+ simply includes a list of additional features for $14.99 per month ($19.99 CAD) or $149.99 per year ($199.99 CAD). Owners can sign up in the vehicle, on their phone, or online. That said, the host asked Bensaid if that architecture would end up having other unlockables for sale.
“Do you think customers would want to have a performance or range upgrade?” he responded. When the host affirmed, Bensaid simply said, “Okay, if you think so then I think we should do it.” That could mean that we may see Rivians ship to customers with some of their full power or range, or both, locked behind a paywall. For now, there is no telling (or even if) when this might actually happen, but it seems to be under consideration.
Marty Marks said it can be easy to get frustrated with the student riders when they don’t behave on the school bus. But he added that each day, students have a fresh start as they head to school.
Similarly, he said there is no place for transportation staff holding grudges or passing judgement. “Every day is a new day,” he added, echoing his favorite quote.
Marks started in the school transportation industry in 2005, when he became a school bus driver for his children’s school events. He started driving part-time for Neosho School District in Missouri as well as driving trips for four years. Marks then moved over 250 miles to the east, to St. Louis, where he worked for 10 years at First Student as a safety manager, later becoming a location manager. In 2019, he moved back to Neosho to serve as the director of transportation, a role he’s held since.
Marty Marks says he enjoys interacting and listening to the student bus riders.
Each year, School Transportation News chooses 10 Rising Stars based on nominations submitted by school districts and companies around the industry. These individuals have shown exemplary commitment and dedication in the student transportation industry and continue to demonstrate innovation in their roles. This year’s Rising Stars are featured in the November magazine issue.
“Listening to the younger students,” he said of his favorite part of his job and what’s kept in the industry for 20 years. “Students have imaginations and want to share their thoughts. Students need adult attention and that’s what truly makes the job enjoyable.”
Jim Davis, the superintendent of schools for Neosho, wrote in his nomination that Marks has made significant contributions to enhance the safety, mobility and sustainability at the district. Davis said Marks leads a team of around 70 employees and substitutes and excels in fostering culture within district transportation as a whole.
“This is demonstrated by his staff retention and training opportunities provided on-site to best serve the needs of NSD,” Davis wrote. “Furthermore, under Marty’s leadership, area schools have participated in the annual bus rodeo, hosted at NSD. This annual bus driving and bus maintenance competition provides area schools the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Safety
Davis said one priority for Marks has been achieving a high school bus inspection rating of 90 percent or greater, as scored by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Additionally, the district has earned the Exemplary School Bus Maintenance Award from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, recognizing a decade of excellent inspection scores.
“During the school year, Marty and his team also conduct on-site bus safety training with our students,” Davis continued. “The purpose is to educate all students within the Neosho School District bus safety and behavior expectations, regardless of if they are a daily rider.”
Prior to the new school year, Davis noted that a bus camp is also hosted, which provides new students an opportunity to tour the school bus, learn how to be responsible and safe on and around the bus, meet the drivers and take a ride on the bus. “The purpose of the bus camp is to help ease some anxiety that may come with being a new student daily rider and best prepare them for the first day of school,” Davis added.
Mobility
To ensure efficiency, Davis said Marks implemented new routing software from Transfinder. Marks noted that previously routing was a manual paper process, and the department was depending on drivers to route themselves.
Davis added that the purpose of implementing the software was to make the routes more efficient. And since implementation, NSD was able to eliminate a couple routes. “NSD runs approximately 50 different daily routes, not including extracurricular activities. Our district is located in the rural southwest corner of Missouri, where the longest route is an hour and a half and spans across two counties,” Davis said of district size.
Sustainability
Davis said NSD has a diverse fleet of diesel, gasoline and propane school buses. Marks said the diversification allows the district to utilize fuel prices to the best of their abilities.
“The purpose of the diverse fleet is to ensure the buses serve the district in the most efficient way to provide safety, cost savings and sustainability,” Davis wrote.
He provided an example, in which the district transported students to an extracurricular event that was three hours away.
“Marty instructed his team to drive the gasoline buses because the temperatures were expected to be dangerously cold,” he recalled. “A diesel bus driven by our neighboring school district would not start due to the weather, and rather than leaving students three hours away from home, our buses brought those students back and dropped them off at their school. Having a diverse fleet is not the norm within school districts, and we are thankful to have these buses to best serve students.”
Challenges
Marty Marks, director of transportation at Neosho School District in Missouri, is fostering team culture through implementation of safety practices and technology.
Marks said one of the biggest challenges at school startup is accurate student information, as many students move in and out of the district frequently. Having accurate student rosters is critical, he said. Additionally, he said, many students do not speak English, which is another challenge that transportation navigates.
“We are also currently using our ParentSquare system to send out mass messaging to help improve parent communications, by sending transportation information directly to parent emails,” he added.
Marks said the goal for the transportation department is to continue to improve its facility. “We want our facility to be among the best,” he said. “This will help to retain drivers.”
One way to do that is implementing a fueling software to better track fuel usage. Plus, he said NSD wants to continue purchasing buses with air conditioning as students are accustomed to it, and it’s better when there are high heat temperatures.
On a personal note, outside of work, Marks said he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and working around the house.
CAMPBELL, Calif. —ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), today announced the availability of a low-cost charging solution to enable more fleets to go electric. Priced at $699, the Level 2 charger lowers the barrier to entry for fleet electrification, while still enabling access to one of the world’s most advanced fleet and telematics software platforms. ChargePoint’s suite of products enable a seamless charging experience for fleet operators and drivers, is estimated to lower total cost of ownership, and helps fleets meet their emissions reduction goals.
Flexible and affordable, ChargePoint’s CPF50, enables those who are considering electric vehicles for their fleet to affordably procure and install charging while maximizing the benefits of going electric. Fleet operators are able to optimize their total cost of ownership (TCO) by bundling ChargePoint’s fleet management software which includes real time-visibility of vehicle readiness, power usage and station status; energy management tools to maximize fuel savings; control station access; and simplify complexity and station management with ease using an all-in-one solution. Multiple CPF50s can be managed from the platform, enabling power sharing via the cloud to reduce charging costs and optimize battery health, and can be configured with either J1772 or NACS connectors to meet any fleet’s needs, regardless of vehicle or connector type.
“ChargePoint has always been committed to making it easy for everyone to go electric, whether they be a driver, a business, or a fleet,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “With our lowest cost charger for commercial vehicles we have a solution that makes charging more accessible for small businesses who want to electrify their fleet, or for large fleets that are focused on reducing total cost of ownership. We’re making the hardware more affordable, and when combined with our powerful fleet software platform, the offering can meet the charging needs of fleets of all sizes to optimize their savings.”
Fleets are going electric to maximize cost savings, whilst simultaneously meeting sustainability goals by lowering their emissions. Transportation represents the largest contributor of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., responsible for nearly 30% of total direct GHG emissions. Broader deployment of zero emissions vehicles likes commercial trucks will play a key role in meeting federal emissions reductions targets. Fleet operators need the right tools to optimize these mixed fuel fleets and prepare for a majority-electric future.
Commercial electric vehicles have long been in development but are only now beginning to arrive in volume. New vehicles across the spectrum of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and vans are ramping up production in North America and Europe, enabling many fleets to finally realize the benefits of electrification.
In the realm of heavy-duty vehicles, ChargePoint expects Megawatt charging will reshape the feasibility of electrified long-haul transport. Chargers capable of delivering energy up to 20 times the speed of existing DC chargers for passenger vehicles will ensure a long-haul truck can recharge in less than an hour, taking on energy at a rate that could power a professional sports venue like Yankee Stadium on a game day.
As these light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles come to market, fleet operators need solutions to address the right scenario for them yet leave the flexibility to scale. From the $699 CPF50 up to a Megawatt Charging Solution, ChargePoint enables fleets of all sizes to seamlessly go electric with a leading portfolio of software and hardware solutions. Regardless of the charger model installed, ChargePoint’s fleet software is the true enabler of fleet optimization, whether the fleet encompasses 3 vehicles or 3000.
ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.
ChargePoint has been an innovator of all things EV charging since 2007, before the first mass market electric vehicle was on the road. ChargePoint offers solutions for the entire EV ecosystem including drivers, charging station owners, vehicle manufacturers and others. Accessible and reliable, ChargePoint’s portfolio of software, hardware, and services enables a seamless experience for drivers across North America and Europe. With ChargePoint, every driver who needs to charge can do so, accessing more than 1 million places to charge globally. ChargePoint has powered more than 10 billion electric miles and will continue to innovate as part of a mission to lower global emissions while improving the future of transportation. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom, the ChargePoint Investor Relations site, or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations.
As a software professional with over 30 years of experience in school transportation, I
have worked with hundreds of districts and witnessed both successful and failed technology implementations. This raises an important question. Why do some districts succeed while others fail? Is transportation technology inherently flawed, or do we lack the necessary skills to implement it effectively? As technology evolves, we must adapt alongside it. While some vendors might claim it’s easy, the reality is that there is no simple solution. Let’s explore the key factors to consider for successful technology implementation.
Do You Really Need to Change?
Throughout my career, I’ve seen many districts switch from one software system to another, underestimating the complexity and cost of such transitions. Changing software is an expensive and challenging task, especially for larger districts. Often it’s a multi-year project.
Think of software like cars. All cars have four wheels and an engine. The difference lies in the features. Similarly, most routing software can produce routes and give driver directions the rest are just added features.
More often than not, districts already have the necessary functionality in their existing software but don’t know how to fully utilize it. Before deciding to switch, evaluate your current software’s capabilities. Sometimes, a bit of training is all that’s needed. However, there are valid reasons for change, such as district growth. Ensure your reasons are sound and not a waste of tax dollars.
What Do You Want?
When working with districts, I always start by asking, “What do you expect the software to do?” The answers vary among superintendents, bus drivers, IT teams, routers, dispatchers, and transportation directors. Understanding everyone’s need is crucial.
For instance, tracking buses is a common request. Many companies offer this feature, but what specific information do you need? Do you need to see the vehicle speed, stop durations, telematics, or driver behavior? Clearly define your needs and ensure they align with the requirements of all stakeholders.
What Does Your RFP Say?
When consulting on Requests for Proposals (RFPs), I often find that districts struggle to write effective ones. Now that you know your district’s needs, crafting a comprehensive RFP is critical. Your RFP should clearly define what you need, including specific data and reports.
Vague statements like “Software must integrate with other district systems” are unhelpful and can lead to costly assumptions. Specify the exact integrations required and ensure all stakeholders review and proofread the RFP to meet everyone’s needs.
Do You Have District Buy-in?
Involving all stakeholders is essential for success. Take student tracking, for example. This initiative goes beyond transportation. Who will issue the cards? How will replacements be handled? Do you need card printers at each school, or will a central location suffice? Or should you outsource card production? Answering these questions and securing district support will help ensure the success of your initiative.
Do You Have the Right Personnel to Implement?
With the right software and hardware selected and all stakeholders involved, it’s time to implement. But your already busy staff now has an additional task. Many implementations fail due to a lack of time and resources. Ensure you have the right personnel in place, including a project manager to keep everyone on track. If you don’t have an experienced project manager, consider hiring one temporarily. A good project manager can alleviate the burden and hold both the district and the vendor accountable.
Do You Have the Right Personnel to Manage Your Technology?
Managing new technology often falls to someone internal, but they might not have the necessary background. Many implementations fail because the designated person lacks expertise in GIS systems, reporting, internet technologies, and other critical areas. Ensure you have qualified personnel to manage the system post-implementation.
Do You Have a Continuation Plan?
People come and go in any district. What’s your plan to ensure continuity if your expert leaves? Budget for ongoing training, even if it’s just refresher courses. Having funds set aside for training new hires and updating current staff on new technologies will save money in the long run.
Summary
When considering technology implementation, follow these recommendations for success:
• Evaluate Existing Solutions: Before deciding to change, thoroughly assess your current software; it may already meet your needs with some additional training.
• Understand Stakeholder Needs: Clearly define what you and other stakeholders want from the new technology.
• Write a Comprehensive RFP: Ensure your RFP is specific and meets the needs of all involved parties.
• Proofread: Carefully proofread the RFP and involve other stakeholders in the process.
• Secure District Buy-In: Ensure all relevant departments are on board and supportive.
• Plan for Implementation: Have the right people and sufficient time allocated for the implementation process.
• Hire a Project Manager: Consider hiring a project manager if you don’t have one in house.
• Develop a Continuation Plan: Budget for ongoing training to maintain system effectiveness.
Following these steps will lead to more successful technology implementations in your transportation department.
Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the September 2024 issue of School Transportation News.
Kerry Somerville has over 30 years of experience in developing transportation management and routing systems. He is currently CEO of Transportation Planning Solutions and can be contacted at kerry@ transportationplanningsolutions.com.
CAMPBELL, Calif., – ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), today announced an AI-powered driver support tool to rapidly accelerate the diagnosis and repair of charging stations in the field. The software utilizes AI for the first time in the EV charging space to identify physical charger issues, thereby improving their uptime. The software is the latest deliverable of ChargePoint’s ongoing investment in charging station reliability.
The software is user-friendly on the outside, yet sophisticated behind the scenes. All a driver needs to do when encountering a nonfunctional charging station is submit photos via an improved “report a problem” feature in the ChargePoint app. The app links the issue to the driver’s location and analyzes the images for anomalies, discovered thanks to a multitude of inputs utilized to train the technology for the EV charging domain. Once the software identifies the issue, it relays the information to ChargePoint’s Network Operations Center, eliminating the need for most on-site inspections, considerably shortening the time to resolution.
“By deploying AI technology that can diagnose hardware issues, ChargePoint has a critical new tool joining our Network Operations Center to ensure station uptime,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “This technology will enable us to triage and resolve physical issues that cannot not be detected via remote monitoring, demonstrating our commitment to innovations which deliver a reliable charging network.”
Drivers who report an issue will be able to track repair status in their app, and their report will automatically generate an alert for that station’s owner, streamlining a repair process which often requires their authorization.
About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.
ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds-of-thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom, the ChargePoint Investor Relations site, or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations.For more information, please visit: www.chargepoint.com.
Many transportation garages are shifting from paper documents to automated systems or software to help them keep track of anything and everything in the maintenance facility. Some garages are leaning on already developed software to do the trick. Other maintenance professionals are creating their own system of keeping track.
School Transportation News discussed these trends with the Garage Stars featured this month. Temple Independent School District in Texas has been using Transfinder’s Servicefinder but recently upgraded to the new version, Servicefinder 5.0. George Bell, the district’s fleet services supervisor, explained that the updated version took a while to get used to but is much more user-friendly in keeping up with inventory and staff hours.
He explained that Sevicefinder notifies him when the fleet is due for service by tracking mileage. The software also alerts the garage when it’s time to reorder service parts and how many need to be ordered. Bell added that he can set limits on how low he would like his inventory to get before receiving a notification.
“Every piece of equipment is tracked in its own folder in the form of a work order,” Bell explained. “From the time the work order is made until the work is completed and closed out, we can bill for man hours and parts used. Makes it very easy to go back and see the history of a piece of equipment. This system can be viewed by anyone in our district that is given access.”
Scottie McKinzie, the shop foreman for Fulton County Schools in Georgia, said his district integrated a software from Napa Auto Parts, a partner since 2000, to control inventory. He explained the Napa Integrated Business Solutions parts management system, or HUB, has increased productivity and removed the district’s parts investment burden.
McKinzie added the system invoices parts at the time of installation and all pertinent information is saved and transmitted to the separate School Transportation Information Management System (STIMS).
“HUB provides a record of all parts history which can be viewed and printed at any time,” he noted. “STIMS software interfaces with Napa online and has worked well for both Fulton County shops. STIMS allows us to keep records of all work performed on each of our vehicles. A repair or inspection work order is created, then given to the appropriate shop staff. From there, the technician completes the work and inputs labor and notes of the repair into STIMS. Then, the work order is given to a Napa employee and the parts are added to the work order. Lastly, STIMS gathers all the information from Napa, and adds the information to the workorder. We can then review all past work orders, labor, maintenance, and parts costs of each vehicle.”
McKinzie added that Fulton County schedules support vehicle inspections for each academic quarter and school buses every 20 days. During inspections, technicians and mechanics address maintenance items and repairs as necessary.
Six years ago, Suffolk Transportation Service in New York implemented a parts and purchasing program called TMW that helps streamline the warranty and inventory process. Teno Gustavson, director of vehicle and facility maintenance, said the program tracks how many days, how many planned miles, or how many GPS miles a vehicle has used the last PM.
“And as soon as one criteria matches, we are alerted to bring the unit back into a shop for maintenance. Having these reports, we can forecast our usage on what parts to order,” he continued.
Looking at Inventory:
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, parts became harder to obtain and resulted in longer lead times. Gustavson said Suffolk tracked this data, causing the contractor to keep more inventory in stock. However, he noted that the TMW min/max levels help make it sustainable.
Bell added that Temple ISD has had to order certain parts in advance, mainly Cummins fuel filters. However, he added the turnaround time for most other parts has improved. But in the past year, he said he has noticed a spike in the number of exhaust gas recirculation coolers needing replacement. “Over time (in years) the coolant wears through the metal,” he explained.
Currently, he said, Temple ISD has about 400 to 500 parts in its inventory, adding up to around $20,000 or less. As for maintenance trends, McKinzie at Fulton County noted that his staff sees certain buses require replacement of several parts more frequently than should be the case, attributing the issue to “design flaws.”
However, he said that the parts pipeline flows well for the popular items, but these parts do require more stocking depth for quicker service. These items include filters, brakes, batteries and other parts that can be installed quickly, he said.
“HUB is used to evaluate history and set minimum/maximum quantities to be used in creation of stock orders every day which are not automatic,” he explained. “Stock orders are emailed to the vendors and some of the parts arrive the same day. Parts are stocked based on historical data and future requirements in the case of new vehicles. In the event there is a possibility of a shortage or backorder situation, we will place a larger quantity of items in stock.”
Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the August 2024 issue of School Transportation News.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Transit Technologies, a visionary in transforming public and private mobility, has acquired Bytecurve, a student transportation management software company known for its simple yet powerful platform for school districts and school bus operators. The acquisition adds the important student transport technology solution to the Transit Technologies comprehensive mobility platform.
Bytecurve’s founders have more than 30 years of combined experience in the Transportation industry, with expertise in the Student Transportation operations sector, understanding the challenges of transporting millions of students to and from their schools safely and on time, with little margin for error. The company’s solutions are designed to address these challenges with targeted tools to help improve operations, lower operating costs, enhance reliable communications with schools, students and guardians, and keep students safe.
“This is more than a strategic expansion; it’s a leap towards a future where transit is more efficient, reliable, and inclusive,” said Gerry Leonard, CEO of Transit Technologies. “By integrating Bytecurve’s advanced platform, we continue to set new benchmarks for what software can accomplish for student mobility, safety and efficiency. Bytecurve adds significant value to Transit Technologies’ expansive technology platforms, which serve more than 3,000 clients worldwide.”
GP Singh, CEO and Founder of Bytecurve, added, “It’s gratifying to join such an esteemed alliance of mobility solutions as Transit Technologies. This combination will allow Bytecurve to bring their innovative platform and service to the broader transportation industry.”
The synergy between Bytecurve’s innovative software solutions for the K-12 market and Transit Technologies’ market-leading platforms for fixed route, demand response, safety and compliance and non-emergency medical services will contribute significantly to Transit Technologies’ ultimate mission to revolutionize mobility and meet the evolving demands of modern transportation systems.
About Transit Technologies:
Transit Technologies is at the forefront of revolutionizing mobility, connecting communities, empowering individual journeys, and eliminating the transit equity gap. Since its inception, the company has been dedicated to blending powerful technology to optimize routes, ensure timely schedules, and empower riders, drivers, and fleet managers with safe and innovative mobility and transit operations solutions.
About Bytecurve:
Bytecurve is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for the school bus transportation industry. Bytecurve360 is a comprehensive dispatch and payroll platform designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance communication for school districts.
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