Reflection on Technical Communication

Technical communication is finally coming to an end, it has been a meaningful journey equipping us with writing and oral skills that will benefit us in the near future. Through this short twenty hours course, I have learnt to how to write a formal email, a good product description summary, citation in APA style and a persuasive technical proposal as well as learning to give a good and persuasive pitch.

Through this course, I manage to get a chance to work with different groups of people, which allows me to know them and their working style better. I am also grateful that my module tutor, Brad was patience with me and for his guidance throughout this course.

I have learnt from this course that effective communication is important, people don't always pay attention to the message you are trying to convey. Which is why it’s important to give a good pitch to catch their attention.

After going through all the lesson, I have gain confidence in writing a proper proposal. However, there are still rooms for improvement as I am pretty weak in my grammar. I would like to improve my oral skills as I lack the enthusiasm when presenting or giving a pitch.

I foresee that there will be more report writing throughout my course of studies, I believe that all the skills learnt from this module will be put into good use.

Executive Summary

The objective of this proposal is to increase awareness within the environment of road users by correcting the driver’s behavioural aspects and decreasing the number of accidents on the road. A GPS data solution can be integrated into GO7 to allow the viewing of locations and recommending the smoothest route with the aid of a LCD screen. Additionally, with the integration of LCD, both visual and sound system will be activated to alert the user if their driving behaviour is deemed dangerous. Cameras can also be installed around the vehicle to establish a connection with the GO7, informing the users by estimating the distance between obstacles and significantly reducing the number of potential accidents. Not only that, in the event of stolen vehicles, the device will be activated, providing camera visuals and tracking of location towards the car.

Letter of Transmittal

20 October 2016

Mr. Blackstone

Senior Lecturer

Centre for Technical Communication

10 Dover Road

Dear Mr Blackstone,

RE: Proposal for improvement on current Geotab GO7

In reference to the authorization letter, the team is delighted to have the opportunity to present to you the solution on how to dramatically improve the Geotab GO7.

The accompanying proposal provides a response after improvising the chosen product by the team outlined over the discussion in the last several weeks. This report will demonstrate how fleet companies can make use of fleet tracking data and diagnostics to elevate the dispatcher to a resource coordinator.

With that, we thank you for the time and effort that you took to read our proposal, it is greatly appreciated. We hope that you will consider implementing our ideas as it will a great benefit for road users.

Yours sincerely,

Team Precision

Product summary & analysis draft 3

According to the article Geotab (2016), Geotab GO7 presents the benefits, features and function of GO7. The GO7 is a telematics device designed and built by Geotab to help users in increasing their fleet efficiency. It has features like cellular modem, GPS with built in antennas, an accelerometer, in addition transmit highly detailed information from the user's vehicle regarding the engine, drivetrain, on-board instruments, and other subsystems. It is compatible with most types of vehicles from manufacturers around the world. The device can be easily installed by plugging it into the vehicle’s OBDII port or adapter. Tracking and real time data will be transmitted when the vehicle transits. Another function is it can notify the driver if the vehicle requires maintenance, collects information driving habits, and guide the driver if it's deem unsafe. It can also send notification and forensic data if an accident is detected. Furthermore, GO7 has an expansion port, allowing peripherals to be added if needed.

The GO7 is an advanced and user friendly telematics product that will satisfy users compared to the TomTom link 410 regardless of functionality or convenience, and help users increase their fleet efficiency.

The GO7 can utilise its GPS tracking ability to provide alternate course to routes that are affected by traffic or weather, reducing fuel and time wastage. Its ability to transmit data about the vehicle will allows for timely maintenance of the fleet, reducing down time of vehicle. The article “Aberdeen Group's GPS tracking study key facts” (Cullen, 2016) mentions numerous benefits of a GPS tracking system. An average decrease of 13.2% and 13.4% in fuel expenditure and overtime could be achieved by using location intelligence. The article also states that the operating cost of a vehicle can be cut by 10.4%.

There are other telematics products available on the market, one being the TomTom Link 410. The features of the Link 410 are similar to those of the GO7. The Link 410 however requires a Link 105 add-on devices to monitor engine information. The link 105 does not transmit real time data, as compared to the GO7. The GO7 is able to better integrate multiple feature into a single device, compared to its competitors.

All in all, the GO7 is able to deliver a product that is user friendly as it is easy to install, and able to help user increase fleet efficiency by reducing operating cost through its full-fledged features.

Mark Cullen (2016). Aberdeen Group's GPS tracking study key facts. Retrieved October 6, 2016 from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/aberdeen-groups-gps-tracking-study-key-facts-mark-cullen

Geotab (2016). Geotab GO7 brochure. Retrieved October 6, 2016 from: https://www.geotab.com/wp-content/themes/geotab-template/resources/doc/Geotab-Brochure.pdf

TomTom(N.D). Retrieved October 6 2016 from: https://telematics.tomtom.com/en_gb/webfleet/products/link/

Product Description Summary & Analysis draft 2

The article (Geotab, 2016) “Geotab GO7” presents the benefits, features and function of GO7. The GO7 is a telematics device designed and built by Geotab. It has features like cellular modem, GPS with built in antennas, an accelerometer, and is able to transmit highly detailed information from the vehicle regarding the engine, drivetrain, on-board instruments, and other subsystems. It is compatible with most types of vehicles from manufacturers around the world. The device can be easily installed by plugging it into the vehicle’s OBDII port or adapter. Tracking and real time data will be transmitted when the vehicle transits. It can notify the driver if the vehicle requires maintenance, collects information driving habits, and guide the driver if it's deem unsafe. The device can send notification and forensic data if an accident is detected. The GO7 has an expansion port, allowing peripherals to be added if needed.

The GO7 is an advanced technology product that will satisfy user compared to other similar product regardless of functionality or convenience, and help users increase their fleet efficiency.

The GO7 could utilise its GPS tracking ability to provide alternate course to routes that are affected by traffic or weather, reducing fuel and time wastage. Its ability to transmit data about the vehicle will allows for timely maintenance of the fleet, reducing down time of vehicle. The article “Aberdeen Group's GPS tracking study key facts” (Mark, 2016) mentions numerous benefits of a GPS tracking system. An average decrease of 13.2% and 13.4% in fuel expenditure and overtime could be achieved by using location intelligence. The article also states that the operating cost of a vehicle can be cut by 10.4%.

There are other telematics products available on the market, one being the TomTom Link 410. The features of the Link 410 are similar to the GO7. The Link 410 however, requires a Link 105 add-on devices to monitor engine information. The link 105 does not transmit real time data, as compared to the GO7. The GO7 is able to better integrate multiple feature into a single device, compared to its competitors.

All in all,the GO7 is able to deliver a product that is comprehensive, fully featured, and able to help user increase fleet efficiency by reducing operating cost.

Mark Cullen (2016). Aberdeen Group's GPS tracking study key facts. Retrieved October 6, 2016 from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/aberdeen-groups-gps-tracking-study-key-facts-mark-cullen

Geotab (2016). Geotab GO7 brochure. Retrieved October 6, 2016 from: https://www.geotab.com/wp-content/themes/geotab-template/resources/doc/Geotab-Brochure.pdf

TomTom(N.D). Retrieved October 6 2016 from: https://telematics.tomtom.com/en_gb/webfleet/products/link/

Product Description Summary & Analysis draft 1

The article by Geotab Inc “Geotab GO7” presents the benefits, features and function of GO7. The GO7 is a telematics device designed and built by Geotab. It has features like cellular modem, GPS with built in antennas, and an accelerometer. It is able to transmit highly detailed information from the vehicle regarding the engine, drivetrain, on-board instruments, and other subsystems. It is compatible with most types of vehicles from manufactures around the world. The device is easily installed by plugging into the vehicle’s OBDII port or adapter. Tracking and real time data will be transmitted when the vehicle transits. It can notify the driver if the vehicle requires maintenance. The GO7 also collects information driving habits, guiding the driver if it's deem unsafe. The device can send notification and forensic data if an accident is detected. The GO7 has an expansion port, allowing peripherals to be added if needed.I feel that the GO7 is an advanced solution that could help businesses increase its fleet efficiency.

The GO7 could utilise its GPS tracking ability to provide alternate course to routes that are affected by traffic or weather, reducing fuel and time wastage. Its ability to transmit data about the vehicle will allows for timely maintenance of the fleet, reducing down time of vehicle. The article “Aberdeen Group's GPS tracking study key facts” (Mark, 2016) mentions numerous benefits of a GPS tracking system. An average decrease of 13.2% and 13.4% in fuel expenditure and overtime could be achieved by using “location intelligence”. The article also states that the operating cost of a vehicle can be cut by 10.4%. The average operating cost per vehicle was 33 cents a mile and with a yearly mileage of 33243, savings of $1100 per vehicle per annum could be achieved. These savings would justify the investment in the telematics device. There are other telematics products available on the market, one being the TomTom Link 410. The features of the Link 410 are similar to the GO7. The Link 410 however, requires a Link 105 add-on devices to monitor engine information. The GO7 is able to better integrate multiple feature into a single device, compared to its competitors. Therefore, the GO7 is an advanced telematics device that helps improves efficiency.

Geotab Inc(2016)Geotab GO7. Available from https://www.geotab.com/wp-content/themes/geotab-template/resources/doc/Geotab-Brochure.pdf

TomTom Link 410. Available from https://telematics.tomtom.com/en_gb/webfleet/products/link/410/

TomTom Link 105. Available from https://telematics.tomtom.com/en_gb/webfleet/products/link/105/

Product Summary

The article by Geotab Inc “Geotab GO7” presents the benefits, features and function of Geotab GO7. The GO7 has features like cellular modem and GPS with built in antennas and an accelerometer. It is able to transmit highly detailed information from the vehicle regarding the engine, drivetrain, on-board instruments, and other subsystems. It is compatible with most types of vehicles from manufactured around the world. It is easy to install; just plug it directly into the vehicle’s OBDII port or adapter. When driving, real time data will be transmitted. Geotab GO7 collect data of one’s driving habits and vehicle and update the driver if it requires any maintenance. Other than collecting data, Geotab GO7 also guides the driver with feedback on their driving if it's deem unsafe. Notification through email or desktop alert can be set if Geotab GO7 detect an accident. Forensic data will be sent on suspected accident, including reverse collision.

Geotab Inc(2016)Geotab GO7. Available from https://www.geotab.com/wp-content/themes/geotab-template/resources/doc/Geotab-Brochure.pdf

FORMAL EMAIL WRITING

To: Brad Blackstone

From: Koo Jia Wei

Date: 16 September 2016

Subject: Self introduction

Dear Brad,

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Koo Jia Wei from Telematics at Singapore Institute of Technology. Prior to studying at Singapore Institute of Technology, I was pursuing a diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic(SP).

My life in SP was considered smooth sailing until the very end when I had my final year project. The prototype that my team and I created became our sponsoring company's property. We were asked to surrender the prototype which my team and I worked relatively hard on, including all the instruction manual and coding. In the end we were given 2 choices, the 1st choice is to let them take over whatever that we are working on, while the 2nd choice is for us to leave school and join them as their employee. As much as I wanted to carry on working on the prototype, I think obtaining my diploma would be a more practical choice to take. Therefore the decision to surrender the prototype was made.

I have always been interested in engineering since young and I will dismantle the faulty electrical appliances and look at parts that power it. Which leads me to pursing a Telematics degree which consist of engineering and IT.

As I have always been weak in my engineering math, my goal would be to attain at least a B for my engineering math and to graduate with a decent GPA.

I believe that life is precious hence my aim for the future as a Telematics engineer is to try my best to cut down the road accident rate and create a safer road environment in Singapore.

Yours sincerely,
Jia Wei



Commented on: Li Fang, Syafiq and Hui Yee's Blog
Edited on 30092016