NTEA recently launched WorkTruckCert—An NTEA and Dec-O-Art Resource, a powerful, cloud-based program designed to streamline the completion and printing of certification labels. The new system will also archive vehicle records and help companies demonstrate conformance with NHTSA-required safety standards.
When NTEA’s board formed the Data Committee (a cross-functional collection of board members and industry stakeholders) in 2010, a primary issue was the need for a system to track the certification of trucks. Companies often have to search through reams of paper (sales orders, shop orders, incomplete vehicle books, etc.) to determine what they have mounted to a vehicle. The committee asked NTEA to identify a viable solution, and after dedicated research and effort, the groundbreaking WorkTruckCert tool is live.
“As part of NTEA’s Data Committee, it’s been exciting to see the WorkTruckCert vocational data program come to fruition,” Paul Kokalis, NTEA Data Committee chairman and Fontaine Modification Co president, says. “My team has been actively engaged in the test phase, and we appreciate the enhanced capabilities now available to us.”
For more than 30 years, NTEA has provided guidance and resources to support members in meeting the federal truck certification requirements. The Association released a spreadsheet program in 2006—the Label Printing Program—enabling users to print certification labels on a laser printer. While this has been a popular product, technology continues to evolve to offer greater capabilities and benefits. The new WorkTruckCert integrates Printing Program functionality with added recordkeeping opportunities and guidance regarding common questions and federal requirements.
Beyond the capability to develop and print certification labels, WorkTruckCert provides for the capture of basic vocational data. Users will indicate the body and major components that have been mounted to a given vehicle in a quick and consistent format, using drop-down selection boxes. The top request from NTEA members testing WorkTruckCert was for the work order number to be printed on corresponding certification labels. This feature has been integrated, which is helpful if there’s a question surrounding a certain truck and supportive in meeting vehicle reporting needs.
NTEA is collaborating with IHS Markit to enable enhanced WorkTruckCert data features—an added bonus to WorkTruckCert subscribers. “With WorkTruckCert, our industry is entering a whole new age of vehicle certification service and support,” Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO, says. “This full suite of tools enables users to create certification labels, maintain a truck database, and easily search records. The Association has a longstanding relationship with IHS Markit, and this partnership will provide the work truck industry with even greater insights.”
“We’re pleased to partner with NTEA on this unique initiative,” Dawn Brusseau, associate director, commercial vehicle solutions at IHS Markit, says. “This initiative brings significant value to NTEA members and industry partners, enabling better decision-making for their business and improved conformance to industry standards for all upfitters.”
IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, deep insight, and analytics for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. IHS Markit solutions for the global commercial vehicle market include TIPNet and WorldView as well as a full suite of new-vehicle forecast products with outlooks for registrations, production, and propulsion systems. These solutions provide detailed data and analytics to help those in the medium- and heavy-duty sectors make critical product management decisions. Find out more, visit www.ihsmarkit.com/automotive.
WorkTruckCert access is free to NTEA members (label stock purchase fees apply); nonmembers can purchase a subscription. Find details at www.ntea.com/worktruckcert.
Come to The Work Truck Show® 2019 (March 5–8 in Indianapolis, Indiana) to explore the exhibit floor, educate and innovate with expert insights/training, and engage the industry at networking events. Steve Latin-Kasper, NTEA director of market data and research, and Andrej Divis, director of MHCV forecasting at IHS Markit, will present a Work Truck Industry Overview and Outlook on March 5 from 1:30–2:45 pm. The Association’s technical services team will be at NTEA’s Booth #3400 (view staff schedule at www.worktruckshow.com/nteabooth) with live WorkTruckCert demos from 2–2:30 pm on March 6 and 3–3:30 pm on March 7. Get details and register to attend the show at www.worktruckshow.com.
