SmartFuel, introduced by SCI International of Clearwater, Florida, is new technology that employs
tiny radio signal transmitters fastened to vehicle gas tanks and fuel
pumps to ensure that fuel will flow only when the correct fuel nozzle
is inserted into the correct tank by the correct driver. According to the company, the SmartFuel
system, which is controlled via a wireless RF (radio frequency) modem
connected to the fleet manager's office computer, can be installed on
both electronic and older mechanical fuel pumps.
Because the new RF-based system cannot be affected by voltage fluctuations
or lightning storms (these disturbances typically crash cable-connected
fuel management systems), SCI International guarantees the SmartFuel system
to be free of all after- installation maintenance costs.
"The first benefit SmartFuel customers notice is the immediate reduction
in fleet fuel costs," said SCI International's founder, Meir Ezra. "The
second benefit they see is that the system is virtually maintenance free
with no downtime. The third benefit they see is that computerized reports
can be generated which list fueling details for any and every vehicle
in the fleet."
The SmartFuel wireless management system evolved from technology developed
by the Israeli Air Force to control fuel flow during in-flight refueling
of aircraft. The system is currently being used to regulate fuel usage for dozens
of municipal and commercial fleet owners around the world, including the
Red Cross and the United Nations, according to SCI.
Ezra said that customers routinely see a reduction in fleet fueling costs
of 10 to 25 percent after installing the SmartFuel system. "It's not uncommon for employees to make second incomes by reselling
company fuel to friends or other businesses. One South African company
cut its fleet's fuel bill by 32 percent by installing the system. The
system completely eliminates fraud at the company fuel pump," said Ezra.
Ezra said customers also realize savings from SmartFuel's ability to
ensure the proper fuel is dispensed into the proper tank. A Florida dairy
manufacturer, Velda Farms, provides its drivers with two refueling pumps;
one containing $.70-per-gallon off- road diesel fuel for the Thermo King
refrigeration units on their delivery trucks, and the second containing
$1.35-per-gallon on-road diesel fuel for the delivery trucks themselves.
Because operating one pump was easier than operating two, drivers were
filling both tanks with the $1.35-per-gallon fuel.
"We installed SmartFuel, and suddenly $1.35-per-gallon fuel pump would
not release fuel into the Thermo King fuel tanks -- drivers were forced
to put the proper fuels into the proper tanks. Velda farms contacted
us and enthusiastically reported a 25 percent reduction in fleet fuel costs after
SmartFuel stopped this misuse of fuels."
In addition to cutting fueling costs, Ezra said customers who install
the SmartFuel system are able to enhance their fleet management
capability through the installation of SCI's Smart-Co-Pilot, a Global
Positioning System (GPS) which is capable of supplying critical user-defined
information, like vehicle location and route taken, speed, engine data,
door openings, as well as a host of other data relating to vehicle and
driver behavior.
"Smart-Co-Pilot is similar to an airplane's 'black box'," said Ezra.
"It records and holds all information unless needed, whereupon it makes
contact with the fleet manager's computer with a short data transmission
via cell phone connection." Vehicle data not transmitted during the
day is automatically downloaded to the fleet manager's computer via RF
when the vehicle returns to the station. "It's not an "always online"
system," said Ezra. "Data is transferred at the 'appropriate' time, and
that reduces costs and eliminates needless data overload," he said.
"SCI is the only company to incorporate fuel management with GPS vehicle
management into a fully integrated system," said Ezra. "Our technology
gives fleet owners everything they need, A to Z." For further information
contact SCI at 727-461-9799 or via website
at www.sciww.com.
About SCI International, Inc.
SCI (Smart Consumer Interface) International, Inc., is a Clearwater Florida-
based provider of wireless solutions for fuel and fleet managment.
SCI's systems have been used in Israel, South Africa, and Europe since
1996, and were introduced to US consumers in 1998.
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