Synovia Solutions Blog

For Immediate Release

Grand Rapids, MI (October 22, 2013) -  Blue Bird Corporation is proud to announce Blue Bird Connect™, powered by Synovia Solutions, simply the best GPS fleet management system in the business.  Through an exclusive relationship with Synovia Solutions, you can now order your new Blue Bird school bus straight from the factory with Blue Bird Connect™.  When you buy a Blue Bird bus, you have the option to activate, at no upfront cost, any or all components of Blue Bird Connect™, and enjoy the ease and peace of mind that comes with the backing of Synovia’s proven GPS fleet management system.  This integrated solution has proven, time and time again, to reduce total cost of ownership.  Your Blue Bird Dealer can up-fit your existing fleet of buses as well, regardless of brand.  Watch your fleet save money and increase efficiency with this leading-edge GPS fleet management system.

If the customer is not ready to make a decision to order Blue Bird Connect™ as an option at the time of the bus purchase, Blue Bird will be pre-wiring all school buses to ease field installation at a later date.  Offering Blue Bird Connect™ as an OEM option as well as pre-wiring buses for future installations are both industry-firsts from Blue Bird and reinforce the company’s commitment to innovation and technology.  Debuted at the 2013 National Association for Pupil Transportation Conference (NAPT) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, theBlue Bird Connect™ system was showcased in the Blue Bird booth for trade show attendees to experience first-hand. 

This GPS fleet management solution has proven, time and time again, to reduce the total cost of ownership.  Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) in Indiana is one of the largest geographical school districts in the state of Indiana.  Synovia Solutions has provided TSC with substantial annual savings.  “We estimate a savings of around $10,000 to $15,000 each year just with our field and athletic trips alone,” said Kevin Neafie, transportation director. 

This industry-leading GPS fleet management system offers core functionality including GPS capabilities, comparative analysis, student tracking, a parent portal, safety reporting as well as engine diagnostics and fuel economy tracking.  Blue Bird Connect™ also includes unique features that are not available from the competition such as integrated driver time and attendance with plan vs. actual comparisons, dashboards of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the ability to schedule the delivery of reports to management and the all-inclusive monthly fee per vehicle with no upfront costs.

“Blue Bird is pleased to offer this exciting school bus innovation that provides customers with the ability to maximize their fleet’s efficiency and deliver significant operational savings,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation.  “Innovation and safety are at the forefront of all initiatives at Blue Bird and with this core premise, we partnered with the best GPS fleet management provider in the business, Synovia Solutions.  Blue Bird Connect™ allows districts and contractors to save thousands of dollars each year.  It is truly a smart choice for efficiency and savings.”

“Synovia Solutions is excited about broadening our reach into the school market with an OEM solution, teaming with Blue Bird,” said Jon King, CEO of Synovia Solutions.  “Their vision for providing value-add to their customers with an OEM GPS fleet management solution fits strategically with the Synovia Solutions strategy of reaching into the market directly and with partners who place the same value on quality, service, safety, and savings.”

For more information regarding Blue Bird Connect, visit your local Blue Bird Dealer or www.blue-bird.com. 

About Blue Bird:

Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. For more than 85 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities.  Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,500 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and parts and service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.    For more information, visit the Blue Bird Corporation web site at www.blue-bird.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that it will attend the National Association for Pupil Transportation Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on October 19-24, 2013.  

The Annual Conference is consistently recognized as the premier school transportation conference in the nation. Over 4 days, over 36 workshops are offered on a variety of topics - or attenders can take more than a dozen different courses from the NAPT Professional Development series. The conference also showcases the newest products and latest technologies the industry has to offer. For more information, visit naptonline.org.

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that Pitt County Public Schools in Greenville, North Carolina, has deployed its products which will help Pitt County parents keep tabs on their children this upcoming school year.

Transportation Director Joey Weathington says it will enable administrators, teachers and parents to locate each bus on a digital map in real time. He says this will ensure accountability and your child's safety.

"When you have this many buses out on the road, you have mechanical issues," he says. "Sometimes drivers call us and really, it's hard for them to know what road they're on. So we'll be able to utilize it in a way of getting to them quicker."

The new system will also record each time a bus engine starts up. Weathington says this will cut back on drivers turning on buses early or when they're not moving, which will save the district thousands on fuel costs.

In fact, a district-wide study found that changes like this, plus reduced mileage and improved driver payroll management, could save nearly $194,000 a year. Weathington says that's more than enough to offset the $120,000 a year the navigation kits will cost.

"This is just another step of trying to provide things that will allow us all to be more safe and secure about where our buses are, where our children are and it will all come together," he says.

The money to pay for the GPS kits will come out of the school district's transportation budget.

Weathington says you won't see the trackers on the first day of school. However, they plan to begin installation in the next couple of weeks and hope to have them in every bus by Christmas.

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 9, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that Fort Wayne Community Schools has deployed its Core GPS and Comparative Analysis on 310 of their school bus fleet as of Fall 2012.  

The school district had been a customer of Synovia Solutions previously but had switched to a competitor two years ago because of a perceived cost savings. After a brief time, Fort Wayne Community Schools realized that they had less software functionality and that the change was a mistake. They have since re-engaged Synovia Solution's products and could not be more pleased with the result. 

"We are grateful for Synovia's products and service," said Transportation Director Gary Lake. "We look forward to a long partnership in providing solutions for saving time and money."

Fort Wayne Community Schools is preparing to launch a pilot program with Synovia Solutions' Student Ridership. 

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that it will attend the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association Conference in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, on July 15-19, 2013.  

The Annual Conference will be held at the Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center in Sunset Beach. For more information on the event, visit ncbussafety.org.

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that Durham Public Schools has deployed its Core GPS, Comparative Analysis, and Time and Attendance on 300 of their school bus fleet as of April 2013.  

The school district had been a customer of Everyday Solutions, a company that Synovia Solutions purchased in 2012. When the companies merged, Synovia Solutions presented their Synsurance model of purchase, and Durham Public Schools was sold on its turnkey model which provided the perfect model in terms of financing hardware and software. "The SilverLining product is cutting-edge technology that truly provides the data needed by Transportation Departments to ensure operations are effective and efficient," said Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Scott Denton, who has been equally pleased with Synovia Solutions' customer service. "Synovia's service is second to none! When trying to implement a comprehensive GPS solution, it is critical to partner with a provider that is knowledgeable and responsive; Synovia Solutions is the best of both worlds!"

Durham Public School prides itself on service, so they were particularly pleased that Synovia Solutions products would allow parents to have more up-to-date access - in addition to cost savings.

"During the first two months, bus idling was reduced by more than 50%; and that was with our staff still learning to use the product. We expect more widespread savings with the implementation of automated payroll and the start-up of the near year," said Denton. 

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that it will attend the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference in Lubbock, Texas, on June 23, 2013.

The 40th Annual Conference will be held at the Lubbock Civic Center, and the theme of the conference will be TRUST - Traditions, Reliability, Understanding, Safety, and Teamwork. For more information, visit tapt.com.

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that it will attend the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation Conference in Richmond, Virginia, on June 17-18, 2013.  

The Annual Conference will be held at the Koger Conference Center at the Holiday Inn in Richmond and will include two NAPT professional development courses as part of the curriculum. The conference also showcases the newest products and latest technologies the industry has to offer. For more information, visit vapt.org.

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Synovia Solutions has announced that it will attend the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation Conference in Jekyll Island, Georgia, on June 19, 2013.  

The 49th Annual Conference will be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island and the theme of the conference will be TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More. The Governor’s wife, Sandra Deal, will give the opening address. For more information, visit http://www.gaptonline.org/docs/GAPT_Agenda2013.pdf. 

About Synovia Solutions

Synovia Solutions is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides GPS solutions to fleets. They focus on improving safety, enhancing service levels and achieving savings for customers.  Their turnkey service offering, known as Synsurance, implements their solution with no upfront costs so that customers can see immediate savings. To learn more about Synovia Solutions and their products, visit synoviasolutions.com. 

For more information, contact: Bill Westerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at bwesterman@synoviasolutions.com or 317-208-1700. 

NAFA Fleet Management Association held its first Fleet Excellence Awards Night on April 23, 2013, at their Institute & Expo, where they presented seven industry awards to fleet professionals. Synovia Solutions is pleased to announce that its partner - Houston Independent School District - won Excellence in Public Fleet Sustainability!