EpicVue Wants To Make Life On The Road More Entertaining, Less Lonely

CDL Life

Apr 24, 2015

Do you hate missing Game of Thrones on Sunday night because you’re on the road? If EpicVue has it’s way, you’ll never have this problem again.   A growing number of fleets are trying a new technique to increase driver retention — by giving them access to satellite TV services. According to EpicVue, television is a solution for the epidemic levels of isolation that drivers face every day. They say that access to the shared story telling that TV provides will make life on the road less lonely — and will also give drivers something to talk about with family members and new friends that they might meet out on the road. If you’re able to catch some of Sunday’s big football game, it’s a little easier to strike up a conversation with another sports fan at a truck stop — or with your son back home over the phone. Those little interactions have a lot of impact on driver happiness, says EpicVue.   EpicVue says that it is a solution for fleets looking to solve retention problems because their services increase the quality of life for drivers, making them less likely to jump ship. As turnover is incredibly costly for trucking companies, EpicVue could be a cost effective solution if it proves to be successful.   EpicVue offers drivers a satellite dome antenna, DVR with dual-tuner receiver and remote, 24” flat screen HDTV, permanent and temporary mount, and an easy mount off-air antenna. The channel list includes basic cable channels as well as premium channels like NFL Sunday Ticket, HBO, and Showtime.   See Original Article Image Credit: CDL Life

The new EpicVue+ includes live and on-demand TV, a fleet-centric channel, and more ways to educate and engage with drivers while on the road.

  In-cab trucking entertainment and communications provider EpicVue unveiled a new platform that combines DirecTV with fleet communications and driver training solutions—without the need for satellite hardware installation.   The new EpicVue+ was announced here at the Truckload Carriers Association’s annual conference at the Gaylord Palms Resort outside Orlando. EpicVue+ delivers DirecTV’s live and on-demand premium content, a dedicated fleet channel, and includes an interactive training platform that can be branded by carriers to provide exclusive content to their drivers.   See also: Making drivers feel at home on the road  

“With EpicVue+, our popular EpicVue experience has evolved, eliminating expensive hardware and lengthy contracts—and includes far more than just TV,” said Lance Platt, EpicVue CEO. “Our revolutionary new platform, designed specifically for truck fleets, is unlike any other available to the industry because it lets drivers enjoy the comforts of home entertainment while also keeping them connected with their carrier.”

 

Platt said that EpicVue+ is easy to install in tractors. He added that the solution promotes “job satisfaction and stronger employee connections while enhancing their ability to attract and retain drivers through entertainment, education, and engagement.”

 

Previous EpicVue on-the-road entertainment offerings required a satellite system to be installed on the back of cabs and a five-year commitment from fleets, Platt told FleetOwner. The new version relies on internet connections through mobile, WiFi, or broadband and a less-expensive system that connects to in-cab TVs.

 

As a bonus, Platt noted, drivers don't even need to set a DVR to make sure they don't miss their favorite shows. "Instead of forcing drivers to think about what they are going to record, we provide 100 channels of content," Platt explained. "We record every one of them for them. So now they can stop at any time and  go back and watch that game or that news event or whatever it is. And they don't ever have to worry about missing something because they were doing their job."

 

What EpicVue+ offers fleets and drivers

Platt broke down more details on EpicVue+ offerings:

 

Entertainment: EpicVue+ allows drivers to watch TV in their trucks with more than 100 channels of live programming from DirecTV’s Advanced Entertainment Platform with premium content from networks such as Showtime and Music Choice and a library of on-demand content. Drivers also can watch content on-demand, so they won’t miss their favorite shows because EpicVue automatically records every channel it offers.

 

Education: EpicVue+ provides a portal dedicated to training and education to help implement best practices and reinforce compliance. Fleet operators can easily manage content distribution or enable access to online driver training from partners such as CarriersEdge.

 

Engage: EpicVue+ includes a custom home screen branded for each carrier and a dedicated fleet channel to distribute company announcements and fleet news, promote incentives to reward drivers for performance, and acknowledge standout employees.

 

EpicVue+ can be self-installed, but the company also offers professional installation options. EpicVue also handles technical problems. The system and service are available without a term commitment and on a per-truck rate.

 

Platt said he’s most excited about the dedicated fleet channel on the EpicVue+ service. “The ability to engage drivers and showcase your company culture is invaluable, and it’s something we have been working on at the request of our customers,” he said. “We’ve been dedicated to the process of putting this package together, so needless to say, it's with great pride that we are able to finally offer it.”