ZF aftermarket was showing how it can help workshops get to grips with the digital revolution on its stand at Frankfurt, presenting its fleet management tool ZF Car Connect as well as ZF Smart Service, a "digital screwdriver" for independent workshops.

ZF's says its open connectivity platform Openmatics, which operates independent from vehicle manufacturers, builds the base for an intelligent digital ecosystem. The open telematics service offers workshops and fleet operators various solutions to intelligently interconnect vehicles and carry out data-based diagnoses. Helmut Ernst, head of the Aftermarket Division, says, "This gives our customers and partners the chance to use digitalisation to their advantage, to develop new business models and a more attractive service portfolio."

With ZF Smart Service the company says it will offer independent workshops an app that allows mechanics to carry out reliable vehicle diagnoses and basic maintenance work using mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Having undergone a successful, large scale pilot across the UK, the next step will be to introduce the innovative product to other European markets. Helmut Ernst explains, "We know that in the past, many independent workshops have shied away from investing in expensive stationary diagnostic units. With ZF Smart Service, we have developed a particularly efficient workshop tool, a digital screwdriver, if you like, that no tool box should be without.”

With ZF Smart Service technicians just load the Smart Service app on their mobile devices, connect the Smart Service device using the vehicle's OBD interface and can then carry out extensive vehicle diagnoses. Communication between the Smart Service device and the app is similarly uncomplicated as it is carried out via Bluetooth. ZF Smart Service additionally allows workshop employees to carry out basic maintenance work such as oil changes, replacing brakes or resetting breather pipes and SAS (steering angle sensors). The app covers a wide range of European, American and Asian vehicles. 

These are just two examples of how the ZF Aftermarket Division is involved in the development of tomorrow's mobility and can therefore prepare its customers accordingly with tailored service solutions and an innovative product portfolio under its product brands ZF, Lemförder, Sachs and TRW.