Toyota and Microsoft Join Hands with New Technical Service
25th April 2018
Toyota has taken a further step down the digital path by partnering with Microsoft on a new service for technicians.
Toyota Material Handling Europe worked with Microsoft for advisory and development services in the creation of T-Stream, a brand-new all-in-one solution. Built on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, it runs on Windows, utilises Bing Maps and GPS systems to provide technicans with what is described as an improved, proactive service that can carry out maintence for customers before breakdowns occur. New functionalities, say Toyota, include an improved planner, parts finder, fleet management, picture functionality, integration with other applications, and technical documentation.
“What Toyota Material Handling Europe has developed with T-Stream is one of the most impactful examples of unlocking the power of data and taking action on it,” shared Çağlayan Arkan, GM Worldwide Manufacturing, Microsoft. “Field technicans who are armed with real-time insights can ensure factory equipment operates more predictably and efficiently, which results in lower repair costs and Toyota being able to service equipment before a customer even knows they need it.”
With the first release replacing the existing EASY service platform, new updates of the tool are planned over the next few months and years. Working with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform also allows for new features in a faster and smarter way.
The first release is only a part of what Toyota calls its digitalisation journey. In the future, Toyota Material Handling Europe will be able to change its business model completely in function of the customer needs, to advise and support them in the best way they can thanks to data provided by telematics. Connected trucks will also allow Toyota to move towards predictive service, repairing trucks before anything can happen, aiming for zero breakdowns.