Simply the Best GPS/Fleet Management Solution in the Business!
BLUE BIRD CONNECT
TM
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™— simply the best GPS fleet management solution in
the business. 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 upgrade your existing fleet of buses as well,
regardless of brand. Watch your fleet save money and increase efficiency with Blue Bird Connect™— your
source for efficiency and savings!
More Than Just a GPS
Core GPS is a perfect way to start managing your operation in real-time.
With Core GPS, you can track, map, and create meaningful reports. Our
easy-to-use software allows you to watch live activity, map historical
routes and stops, create arrival reports and much more, including:
Key Performace Indicators
Drill Down Reporting
Stop and Arrival Information
Live Dispatch Tools
Speeding and Mileage
Extensive Reporting
In addition to the numeous core benefits Blue Bird Connect™ delivers, our
software is designed to be completely user-friendly. We provide you with
essential information that is simple and easy to understand.
Student Ridership Tracking
How quickly can you determine if a student is on the
bus? Instantly, with Student Ridership Tracking from
Blue Bird Connect™!
With the information provided by Student Ridership
Tracking and Parent Portal, parents can send their
children to the bus stop at just the right time, reducing
their exposure to weather conditions, traffic and other
dangers. The industry-leading Parent Portal Access tool
allows you to see your bus’ ETA in real-time. Parents
can sign up for text or email alerts to know when the
bus will arrive, giving them peace of mind knowing their
child has been dropped off safely.
Tracking can be completed with the use of RFID readers,
barcodes on existing student ID cards, or with a tablet.
Contact your Blue Bird Dealer to discuss the option that
best fits your needs!
No Upfront Cost & Self-Funded
With Synsurance, school districts can be assured of a long-term and reliable solution, backed with unmatched service
and support. ++Connect’s comprehensive service will provide you with everything needed to track, manage and
improve your fleet operations without a major upfront investment. Synsurance means you pay nothing to get started
with Connect and are provided with everything you need to get going right away, including all training, hardware and
support. Just sign up and go!
TURNKEY SOLUTION
Includes all hardware, software and ongoing services
No servers or infrastructure to maintain
Automatic software updates
SERVICE GUARANTEE
Lifetime hardware warranty
Hosted software
SELF-FUNDING
No upfront or hidden costs
Savings offset monthly service
Rapid return on investment
Connect Works on All Bus Makes
While Blue Bird Connect™ can be installed OEM on
your new Blue Bird bus, it is designed to work on all
bus makes and models— making it a perfect solution
for your mixed-make fleet. Best of all, your Blue Bird
dealer can install Blue Bird Connect™ hardware on
every bus in your fleet; at no additional upfront cost!
“Synovia’s solution clearly provided the most progressive GPS options. Synovia was the most
knowledgeable company and their system was competitively priced.
They were responsive
with tailoring the system to our needs. The system is directly responsible for improvements
in arrival times. Best of all, our savings have more than paid for our investment, and we have
peace-of-mind knowing that we can instantaneously track our entire fleet and respond to
school and parent inquiries.”
—Garry Puetz, Transportation Director
Forsyth County Schools
Georgia
BLUE BIRD CONNECT
TM
Track Actual Work Time with Accuracy
Our Driver Time and Attendance solution has become one of our most valuable fleet
management and money saving tools. With our in-vehicle solutions, you can instantly
review timesheet exceptions, compare planned versus actual schedules, pay fair and
accurate wages, and save money in the process. Automated payroll collection and
integration allows staff to be more productive and reduces the risk of errors. With improved
accuracy of reporting and validation with GPS data, control of your payroll system is
guaranteed.
COLLECT ACCURATELY
Clock-in inside the vehicle or via the web
Multiple-employee log in with job codes
Enter non-driving activities
MANAGE EFFECTIVELY
Review web-based time cards
Compare planned schedule to actual worktime
Create reports to manage overtime
INTEGRATE PAYROLL SEAMLESSLY
Export time and attendance details
Import employee data
Real-time Route Analysis
With Comparative Analysis, you can see planned routes compared to actual routes and use this information to
improve on-time performance and keep your drivers on route.
Comparative Analysis allows you to avoid overspending on fuel by reducing idling and ensuring the most efficient
routes. By tracking driver performance, including excessive speeding, harsh braking, abrupt turning and sudden
acceleration, you can make certain that your drivers operate your vehicles safely and efficiently.
INFORM PARENTS AND SCHOOLS
Monitor stop arrival times
Compare against planned times
Manage time performance
MANAGE YOUR ROUTES
Ensure on-time departures
Track route compliance
Maintenance & Uptime
Wouldn’t you like to repair it before you have to replace it?
With Connect’s Engine Diagnostics solution, you will have peace of mind knowing that your district’s time and
money is being used in the most efficient way. If a fault code appears, our software will inform you of the problem
in real-time, helping you avoid costly repairs. Because it costs far less to prevent an issue than it does to fix it,
being able to see what kind of work your fleet needs in advance prevents unexpected, expensive repairs and
replacements.
In addition to a lower cost of ownership, Connect provides safer transportation for students and drivers. Blue Bird
Connect™ gives your dispatchers the ability to see which vehicles are closest to a specific location, so they can
send the nearest driver in the event of an emergency. This can be especially valuable if you are looking to better
response times or avoid additional wear on high mileage vehicles.
With Connect, fleet managers and school districts are able to manage each bus proactively. Ultimately, Blue Bird
Connect™ lowers total cost of ownership by providing real-time engine diagnostics that save school districts the
time and effort required to ensure a working, productive fleet.
MANAGE PROACTIVELY
Review MPG for your fleet
Determine where you are losing fuel efficiency
ANALYZE INSTANTLY
Receive alerts of engine fault codes
Schedule regular reports to review engine hours and fuel used
Have ample time to fix and perfect operations
ENSURE SAFETY
Safer transportation for students and drivers
Immediate assistance in emergencies
“With 350 buses in the fleet, we have utilized the Synovia Solution for 7 years. Utilizing Synovia’s
telematics, the district saves thousands of dollars each year due to reduced idle time and
reduced fuel consumption.
We have utilized other telematics solutions in the past and are
dedicated Synovia customers due to their state-of-the-art technology, simplicity, accuracy and
quick response to our evolving needs.”
—Gary Lake, Transportation Director
Ft. Wayne Community Schools
Indiana
BLUE BIRD CONNECT
TM
Why Choose Blue Bird ConnectTM?
When it comes to fleet management systems, we deliver a complete package that’s tough to beat.
Blue Bird’s commitment to safety, quality, durability,
and serviceability combined with decreased costs
makes Blue Bird Connect™ the optimal GPS fleet
management system. Our goal is to help your fleet drive
safer while managing your operational costs such as
fuel, payroll and manpower. Our incredibly capable and
intuitive platform is paired with a knowledgeable and
experienced sales and support team you can count on.
Then there’s Synsurance, a way to pay for your system
over time that is unlike anything our competition can
offer. Many customers have switched from another GPS
solutions provider to Blue Bird Connect™ because it’s
simple, easy to use and doesn’t require any upfront
investment.
Industry’s Best Features
CORE GPS
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Assess idling, speeding, location, mileage,
zone entry/exit, etc.
DRIVER TIME AND ATTENDANCE
Integrate payroll with the true time worked
for the day
PARENT PORTAL ACCESS
Allows you to see your bus’ ETA in
real-time
Improve on-time performance and keep
your drivers on route and punctual
ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS
Proactively identify and address vehicle
malfunctions
SYNSURANCE
No upfront costs; All inclusive monthly fee
per vehicle; rapid return on investment
Want to learn more? Contact your local Blue Bird dealer and let us
show you how we can help you run safer and save money in the
process—a winning combination.
BLUEBIRDCONNECT.COM
Save Money. Drive Safer.
Blue Bird Connect™ is a proven GPS/Fleet Management system that is designed to save
your bus fleet time and money, while making your bus journeys safer every day. Blue Bird
Connect™ uses the latest technology, from Blue Bird and Synovia Solutions, and over 100
years of combined industry experience to help define your current transportation methods
and transform them to be more efficient.
Be sure to contact us today to learn more about Blue Bird
Connect™ and experience major savings for your fleet!
A heritage of looking ahead.
BLUEBIRDCONNECT.COM
Specifications, features, illustrations and equipment shown in this brochure are based upon the latest available information at the time of printing. Although descriptions
are believed to be correct, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Blue Bird Body Company reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. Some features
mentioned herein are not available in all models. Please see your Blue Bird Dealer for details. Blue Bird Body Company does not represent or warrant that its products are
fit for a particular purpose. Purchaser must independently determine the suitability of the Blue Bird products for their particular application. All images contained herein are
either owned by Blue Bird Body Company or used under a valid license. All trademarks used herein are registered trademarks of Blue Bird Body Company. It is a violation
of federal law to reproduce these images without express written permission from Blue Bird Body Company. SB-BBCONNECT-0714 © 2014 Blue Bird Corporation