HARMAN, the premium global audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation group (NYSE:HAR), is giving automakers an easy and efficient way to accelerate their mobile strategies and put actionable vehicle performance data directly in their hands with three new Aha® Cloud Service offerings. Designed to change how automakers and partners measure quality, handle service and market to consumers, Aha Cloud Services provide the interactive platform that makes the full benefits of connected vehicles possible.
“Aha Cloud Services deliver robust, real-time visibility to the performance data global automakers need to make informed decisions before, during and after the production process,” said David Slump, president, HARMAN Automotive Services. “Our offerings will help them accelerate their mobile strategies and strengthen and personalize customer engagement. HARMAN’s continued investments in the portfolio will enhance the value and capability for automakers, as well as improve the connected consumer experience.”
Aha Remote Makes Key Vehicle Connections Mobile
This dynamic new smartphone application suite allows OEMs to accelerate their mobile strategies -- no matter what stage of development they’re in -- to deliver more compelling, immersive driving experiences as well as a new interactive model for ongoing customer engagement.
Accelerating Mobile Strategies
Automakers understand the importance and role of smartphone applications in facilitating the connected car experience. But they require expert resources to develop, manage and update. Automakers can quickly launch a branded, intuitive application by using Aha Remote’s proven mobile technology and design and development group. If an OEM currently has a mobile application but wants to take advantage of the new Aha Remote features, its APIs can be integrated into an existing platform.
A More Intuitive, Connected Car Experience
Aha Remote puts key vehicle information and remote functionality directly in drivers’ hands. An enhanced connected navigation system enables easy trip planning, car finder capabilities and dynamic data feeds. Real-time vehicle health and maintenance information is served up in using easy to read and understand graphics. Aha Remote also allows users to remotely control door locks, set cabin temperature, start the engine and set up service appointments with a local dealer.
A New Model of Engagement
The real value of Aha Remote lies in its ability to facilitate ongoing, interactive engagements with customers long after their vehicle leaves the sales lot. Powered by Aha Analytics, the Aha Remote platform provides real-time insight to identify customers and target them for regional service specials and over-the-air (OTA) firmware and map updates. It creates a valuable feedback mechanism that ultimately allows automakers to build stronger relationships with their customers and a platform to reinforce the value of their brand experience.
Aha Analytics Helps Improve Vehicle Performance with Actionable Insights
Harman understands the power and value of harnessing big data to empower the connected car. The new Aha Analytics Services platform is currently helping automakers in North America and Europe validate and qualify vehicle performance during pre-production deployments. It’s also providing valuable insights into when and how drivers are connecting to key car features.
Targeted Data Insights for Key Stakeholders
Aha Analytics gathers data from connected vehicles and sends it to Harman’s Aha Cloud platform, making it available for users to access via an easy-to-use Web portal. Using advanced visualizations of both detailed and aggregated vehicle data -- software loads, driving patterns, system crashes, buttons pushed and connected devices, etc. – automakers can immediately assess and troubleshoot performance issues. New stakeholder-specific modules have been created to provide visibility to the data that’s most relevant to them. These include vehicle quality, warranty, product management, HMI and marketing.
Expanded Support for Connected Devices
Aha Analytics will power not only connective vehicles, but any connected device in the car such as wireless speakers, home theater receivers, building control systems, connected appliances and thermostats. With these insights, connected device manufacturers will have a better understanding of how these devices perform and how to improve customer experiences.
Aha Updates Powered by Aha Analytics
A new class of analytics-driven over-the-air (OTA) firmware update capabilities, Aha Updates allows automakers to safely and cost-effectively update a variety of a vehicle’s software-driven applications and connected devices wirelessly. Available for production trials in 2015, key benefits include:
- Managed services deployment model allowing manufacturers to update all connected devices on-demand
- Precision population targeting for critical software and firmware updates and fixes
- Improved software campaign install rates
- Limited driver disruption
- Improved overall vehicle performance
HARMAN at CES 2015
Visit the HARMAN showcase during CES 2015 for demonstrations of the company’s full portfolio of infotainment and lifestyle audio systems that enable the connected life. The HARMAN experience showcase is located at the Hard Rock Hotel. Follow HARMAN online during CES 2015:
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About HARMAN
HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 16,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.6 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.
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© 2014 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150106005369/en/
Contacts:
Darrin Shewchuk, 203-328-3834
darrin.shewchuk@harman.com
