Ford Works Solutions gets priced, not exactly cheap but not bad
Ford Works Solutions caters to the kinds of commercial builders and workmen who will buy trucks no matter what state the economy is in because of one simple fact: they need them. Its four main features -- Internet access with limited Office functionality, Tool Link, Crew Chief, and Cable Lock -- are meant to not only help owners and workers look after their trucks, but also look after the tools necessary to do their jobs. As usual, that kind of convenience is going to cost you.
You can get all four features installed for $2,815 on regular and Super Duty F-150s. To that cost you add the monthly charges: Crew Chief is $16 or $20 per month per vehicle for a minimum of three years; Internet through Sprint is either $25 or $50 per month plus taxes and fees; and LogMeIn, used to access the desktop back at the office, is an optional $50 per year. If you went for the full functionality of Works Solutions you'd spend about $80 after taxes on the service, which isn't exactly nothing, but not bad considering how much the extra knowledge is worth and how much tools cost nowadays.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C.W. 10:38AM (12/19/2008)
this is a cost that most contractors/landscapers/etc will gladly accept. they can do all invoicing, estimates, fleet management (tracking other vehicles in their own fleet) all from the job site. From contacts in that industry, they say one of their biggest frustration points is telling a customer "i'll get that invoice to you when i get back to the office" or "I will fax your estimate when I get home" or "the bill is in the mail"... this makes everything happen NOW. This is such a sweet option. Ford really has the momentum going.... GOOD WORK!
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Jason R 11:47AM (12/19/2008)
I don't get it at all. $2800 option + $80/month. It would seem to me that a laptop with a 3G wireless internet access would both work better and be much cheaper. An average laptop screen would be 3x bigger and would also be facing the user as opposed to that tiny screen in the dash facing straight aft. The laptop would also surely be much better hardware and it could be used outside of the truck. You could set the laptop on that big padded console or buy a mounting system if really needed.
Matt 1:21PM (12/19/2008)
@Jason R
"I don't get it at all. $2800 option + $80/month. It would seem to me that a laptop with a 3G wireless internet access would both work better and be much cheaper."
Read up on what the package really does, then you might get it:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/news/detail/index.asp?id=1666
Take that laptop, add fleet management software, embed RFID readers into the bed of your truck and make a connection available to the laptop, add the software to read the RFID tags and catalog your tool collection by job, etc. etc. and it starts to look like a screaming deal. Add to that the value of a well integrated installation, warranty, not having to charge your laptop, and so on and you can see why this option would be really appealing to a contractor.
Randy 4:43AM (12/21/2008)
@Jason R
It's not for Pizza Delivery friend!
I think it's a great option! Heck I'd like it in my car! If you think about in-car technology. A NAV / CD unit costs about $1400 and it's easily gotten for $150 anywhere else. The HUGE added benefits that I see that FAR outweigh the price are.
A: Hard to steal (except the printer and keyboard)
B: Won't let your workers surf the we while their driving
C: No loss of data since (A: It's hard to steal)
D: It's integrated so it's harder to break (on the job)
Suggestion: Make the printer part of the glove box and put the keyboard on a side-of-seat swivel that folds in like an airplane meal tray. OR use a $10 roll keyboard. I have one they're cool! Water tight too!
Peace,
Hey, just in case I don't get back here this week HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all! Merry Christmas to my fellow Christians and Catholics. And if you don't believe in a religion at all, be well and have some nice days off on the house :-)...
Randy
mmstowes 10:57AM (12/19/2008)
I actually think that's a good price for a contractor's needs.
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pmalloy4391 11:19AM (12/19/2008)
Thing is, Logmein ha s afree utility. IF you need to access your files from home simply set up logmein free (www.logmein.com) on the PC at home (or work or wherever) and you can access them for free.
* I am not a logmein employee, just a big fan of the free software
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C.W. 12:15PM (12/19/2008)
this is completely unrelated and cleary just a smear post. Not to mention Ford DOES NOT WANT any bailout... sheesh.
things happen. companies have lawyers. people sue. etc. etc etc.
we still need cars and we need high quality cars... it just so happens that Ford now falls into that category.
My grandpa was severly injured by a 1974 John Deere tractor (which he never saw a penny for)... but guess what.... he still buys John Deere tractors...
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moyoi 12:33PM (12/19/2008)
pretty cool! Nice work Ford.
pmalloy, Pro offers file transfer, file syncing, and remote printing. I'd suspect the interested parties would benefit from this.
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KT 12:58PM (12/19/2008)
I would say most self-employed small business owners would be able to write-off the expense anyway.
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G-Meister 2:38PM (12/19/2008)
KT- if you can't figure out how to write this off, you don't deserve to.
Ok, the internet feature is fine, but a sprint card will do that too- many laptops can be had with the hardware installed now, too. I don't like that the tool inventory feature is a paid subscription- seems like that should be client software.
I just hope this thing is de-activated when the truck is moving- all we need is more contractors multitasking on the road.
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flychinook 11:35PM (12/20/2008)
Unless I'm reading it wrong, Tool Link doesn't require a subscription. Crew Chief does, because it's tracking the locations of other vehicles.
Lmo 3:25PM (12/20/2008)
Another solution to a problem that does not exist. Maybe something useful to an individual contractor, or supervisory personnel ( small niche market), but not as a crew fleet truck (much larger market).
My brief of a "Professional Grade" truck product would be a SINGLE model of 15,000# GVW, powered by either gasoline or bio-fuel-capable diesel of one common displacement per engine type; automatic transmission (eliminates clutch abuse, and gearbox wear); 2 or 4 wheel drive; have a basic interior (AM-FM radio, no A/C, vinyl upholstery, removable rubber floor mats, crank up windows and be available with, or without the bed (there are hundreds of custom fabricators that supply utility-boxes, flatbeds, and van boxes; they are much better equipped to supply these items than GM is.)
One-size fits all? You bet. The user can make it into what is needed, not what Ford thinks is needed.
Ford needs to be building basic, PROFITABLE, commercial transportation equipment.
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Cameron 12:04AM (12/21/2008)
They do make those trucks, and what kind of a jerk boss do you have to be to not have A/C? They also add these options, I know a guy who ran a work crew doing landscaping and a big problem was making sure you had the right tools in the truck for a job and that all the tools came back (Tool Link). If you run multiple crews and one is idle or can hold off on a job, it's good to know where they are and which jobs they are close too (Crew Chief). It's also nice for the trucks to "know" when they need service (Crew Chief). The onboard PC wouldn't be for every truck, maybe just the boss so he can check quotes, print invoices and check on all the other trucks. If you don't need these options get a stripped F-250 with a Diesel (it will run Bio-Diesel). The idea is there are other truck makers, with the basic truck, you need to add options that are useful, that can increase sales and profit.
David 1:05PM (12/22/2008)
"You can get all four features installed for $2,815 on regular and Super Duty F-150s."
What is a Super Duty F-150?
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