Cognizant announced it has been selected by Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) to digitally transform its business by defining and executing a new Internet of Things (IoT) strategy. HERC is working with Cognizant to generate higher value from its telematics technology, the wireless capture of data about maintenance status, operator behavior, geographic location and other performance aspects from sensors on HERC's heavy equipment fleet.
       
HERC, a unit of Hertz Global Holdings, is a leading equipment rental company with approximately 280 locations worldwide, offering a diverse line of heavy equipment and tools for rent, including aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, forklifts and power generators.  HERC's key markets include transportation, industrial and manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, government and municipalities, mining, energy, remediation, emergency response, facilities and entertainment.
       
With its deep expertise in business transformation leveraging IoT technologies, Cognizant will re-architect and enhance HERC's critical business applications to capitalize on the latest digital capabilities, including advanced mobile interfaces for field technicians to improve efficiency and productivity, and new digital services for customers enabled by telematics.
       
Specific capabilities Cognizant is developing for HERC include:

• Asset tracking through advanced systems that automatically send an alert to employees when HERC equipment assets are entering or leaving a site;
• Equipment availability and utilization tracking that enables real-time monitoring of equipment asset status (e.g. idle, underutilized, or mis-used); 
• Maintenance scheduling that enables automatic scheduling of preventive maintenance based on run-hours of equipment.       

"Cognizant has long been a valued partner to HERC, so it is natural that we turn to them as we innovate with new technologies, and look to enhance our operational efficiencies," said Rich Marani, Chief Information Officer at HERC. "The team at Cognizant impressed us with a deep understanding of our industry's business challenges, and their demonstrated ability to execute end-to-end as we transform our telematics program. We know we can rely on them not only to develop a winning strategy, but to partner with us in implementing solutions that will drive our business success."
       
"Enterprises are grappling with how to best leverage digital technologies like the IoT.  HERC's sizeable deployment of telematics technology reflects that they're forward-thinkers and leaders in the new digital age.  We're excited to work with them in building applications and analytics on top of this foundation to help better engage their customers and unlock new levels of business value from the massive amounts of data generated," said Sean Middleton, Chief Operating Officer, Emerging Business Accelerator, at Cognizant. "With our IoT consulting, implementation, and support services, we are helping clients like HERC use ambient data to design smarter products, inform strategic decision making and improve user experiences."