VMRS Coding

The following is a blog post taken from: http://www.partsriver.com/Trucking-Blog.html, the post date of this article is Nov 20, 2012 - It describes what VMRS Coding is, and why it would be useful.

VMRS (Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards) has been around quite a while now and is gaining traction as the primary method for integrating information within a fleet from the shop into the fleet management system and to management reporting. Now VMRS is being adopted by the OEM’s and suppliers which is going to have a very beneficial impact on the Heavy Duty Trucking industry as a whole.

Just a quick overview of VMRS classifications for those of you who are not familiar with it; we get many calls from folks who have heard of it but aren’t quite sure how it works and how it will help them in fleet management. VMRS Code Key 34 codes parts to three levels, with 3 digits each.

Here’s an example (a complete list of codes is available from ATA): 013 Brakes 013-002 Rear Brakes and Drums 013-002-003 Actuating Link – Self Adjuster, Rear Brake

One of the key pieces of information that VMRS provides is about the application in which the part is used. For example, a brake pad can be used in more than one location on the truck and it can be extremely valuable to know the frequency of replacement at each application. Are pads being replaced at one location more than the others? With VMRS each location has a different component code even though it may be the exact same part.

Now that the OEM’s are adopting VMRS, this information can be reported to them which can lead to improved truck part designs. If they collect this kind of information from fleets across the country, they can develop much more effective failure analysis and product improvements.

If your heavy duty truck parts are coded to all three levels and parts used for maintenance are tracked in a fleet management system, the information that can be gathered can be extremely valuable. You can now find out which parts are being replaced too frequently and which parts are being replaced in unscheduled maintenance.

With a VMRS code system, your fleet management system can do the reporting for you and eliminate the need to prepare written reports (which may or may not get read). Now you will know what part, at what location, on what piece of equipment, and how often.

VMRS has been adding equipment types over the years as well and now covers most equipment for diverse fleets. PartsRiver has been involved in providing codes for industries such as buses, ground support equipment, fork lifts, and heavy/off road equipment. All codes are assigned by ATA. Some organizations are now requiring suppliers to provide the VMRS code as part of an RFP.

Adding VMRS codes to a parts master and management system is usually well within a fleet’s capability. Here are a couple of things that can help the VMRS project go smoothly.

• Assign one person to be responsible the project who is familiar with parts and has some familiarity with your fleet management system. Give him or her resources needed like access to TMC and to your fleet management software provider.
• Contact Jack Poster at TMC and let him know you are starting the project. Jack can provide valuable help, training, and advice for getting the project done right.
• Contact your fleet management service provider about integrating the codes into the parts master.
• It may make sense to add codes to those parts that are used most frequently.
• Set a timeline to get the job done.

With rising costs and the need for increased efficiency, VMRS can help you achieve your goals.