Michelin Iphone, Android roadside service apps join Blackberry functionality

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Android App Screen ShotThe further CSA gets in ongoing rollout, the more critical repairing noncritical vehicle defects is going to get for both owner-operators and company drivers, potentially counting as they do against the former’s safety ranking in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC and the latter’s employment history. More and more, service shops and OEM parts manufacturers are making it easier to efficiently obtain quick service. Today, Michelin Americas Truck Tires joins a few with its announcement of service-locator/emergency-breakdown-assistance applications functional on Android (pictured) and iPhone devices in the U.S. and Canada. The apps join the existing Blackberry application introduced in August 2010, as well as the existing Michelin OnCall emergency roadside service and the online dealer and service locators in the company’s  “Wherever You Go” offering.

“With the introduction of these iPhone and Android apps, smartphone users across the trucking industry now have easy access to Michelin product and service locations,” said Jaye Young, U.S. country marketing manager for the Truck Tires wing of the company. Using GPS location and Google Maps technology, the iPhone and Android apps provide the location of the nearest Michelin truck tire or service provider, as well as information about that location. Users can dial Michelin OnCall ERS directly with the push of a button from the app or search for a provider by category, including emergency road service, travel plazas, onsite tire service or MRT retread locations. The applications can also display service providers based on an entered location other than the current GPS location. Users have the ability to call the service provider, obtain driving directions to the provider or save the provider’s information to their device’s contacts or address book.

The iPhone app is designed to also work on iPod Touch devices, with similar functionality when connected to Wi-Fi, but without the GPS-based services. For more information on the iPhone, Android or Blackberry apps, please visit www.michelintruck.com. To obtain one of the apps, check out the mobile apps page in Michelin’s locator site.

Check out prior coverage of safety-minded applications and logging assistance apps.