Feniex Industries Launches Quantum®

From technological advancements to innovating industry business models, Feniex has continued to challenge the status quo to ensure that emergency equipment is never the reason why a first responder unit is delayed. In recent years, while the world focused on concerns with supply chain, Feniex doubled their innovation efforts to bring a solution to the biggest problem our industry faces.

rom technological advancements to innovating industry business models, Feniex has continued to challenge the status quo to ensure that emergency equipment is never the reason why a first responder unit is delayed. In recent years, while the world focused on concerns with supply chain, Feniex doubled their innovation efforts to bring a solution to the biggest problem our industry faces.

Launched during the Feniex Annual Summit on January 18, 2023, Feniex released its most innovative product line to date, Quantum®, the world’s first field upgradable and customizable emergency warning product series.

“We are changing and simplifying the supply chain while providing additional functionality features and flexibility to our customers,” stated Yemilyn Mosley, Chief Operating Officer. “Dealers can now stock with flexibility and consolidation, allowing them to grow their business more efficiently and profitably.”

Quantum’s patented technology allows the buyer to purchase one product, at single-color cost, and unlock multi-color modes as needed. This product release optimizes Feniex’s single-color line with more functionality, bringing back dualcolor, launching tri-color for the first time, and enhancing the quad line.

In addition to the technological innovation of Quantum, Feniex is introducing new business models into the industry that will yield greater capital efficiencies for dealers and agencies. In response and adaptation to current market conditions, Feniex has designed the commercial model of the Quantum lighting series to bolster the financial models of their dealers to allow them to shorten their vehicle completion time, producing more builds per year. Dealers can now plan their stock ahead of time and be more competitive with lead times, customizing and programming the Quantum product in a fraction of the time of other brands. With the adoption of the Quantum line, dealers can consolidate brands as Quantum meets every functionality and budget.

Agencies will benefit from the flexibility to upgrade vehicle functions as budgets allow, and as vehicles trickle in from shortages, fleet managers will have the ability to program and repurpose as inventory becomes available. They will also have full control over their product with simplified programming steps.

Quantum is available in four configuration types: single, dual, tri, and quad across a family of six lightbars, five light sticks, and twenty-plus vehicle-specific inner bars. It is all-in-one, allowing the customer to skip the long production wait times. It is affordable, with everything you need starting at the single-color price. Quantum is field programmable with 60 days to lock in your color option. Warranty begins at the time of configuration, and the customer can upgrade the product for an additional cost at any time using the Quantum software.

The Quantum module has a linear optic perfectly designed to capture 100 percent of the light from the 24 LEDs packed into each module. Each module has amber, blue, white, and red colors. Integrated features and functions include: takedown, alley, flood mode; front and rear flashing modes; DOT stop-turn-tail modes’ arrow directional modes; dim and cut-off modes; cruise and park modes; and California red mode.

Customers have sixty days to change colors in single, dual, and tri. To make any changes in the future, upgrading to the next unlock level would be the recommendation. This will give the user sixty extra days and an additional color to each light module. If the product is unlocked to quad, then they will have unlimited access to changing color and input functions as they please.

Quantum offers options for all budgets and uses as the customer only pays for what they need. Single-color is the same pricing as the Feniex FusionⓇ-S product line. Quad pricing matches the four-color capabilities of the Quantum, and dual and tri are set at industry standard pricing with more flexibility and control than ever seen in the market before.

The Unlock Quantum software is free for product configuration. End users can directly download the software and have the ability to upgrade the product to dual, tri, or quad using the software. This revolutionary innovation of Quantum technology is a more evolved iteration of the Feniex QuadⓇ product line that was first released in 2020. While Quad has twenty-eight fixed programming functions via the converter and has to be manually programmed per input wire, Quantum is a complete online programming experience in a fraction of the time by plugging it to a computer and using the Quantum software and USB adapter.

Additionally, Quantum has upgrade capabilities, allowing dealers to costeffectively keep more stock with accessible single-color pricing and upgrade at the time of sale by the customer needs. Quantum also has eight new additional flash patterns that include: raging beacon, figure 8 chase, night ride crossover, hale storm, pulse, I/O flux, spectrum, and progressive pursuit.

Quantum’s programming software saves time while providing more functions and flexibility. Customers can maximize the functions intuitively, and for those with less programming experience, they can avoid tapping wires.

Feniex offers a five-year warranty for Quantum, which starts the day the user first configures the product with the USB adapter and not the day of sale.

For more information about the Quantum product line series, the Unlock Quantum software, and how to buy and become a dealer, please visit https://www.feniex. com/ or contact sales@feniex.com. For personal training classes on installation, visit https://www.feniextraining.com/.

“Quantum is a real transformation on how the vehicle equipment industry works,” stated Yemilyn Mosely. “The advancement and flexibility of emergency lighting has been forever shaped by this release.”

About the Author: Ariana Carruth serves as the Vice President of Sales for Feniex Industries. Founded by Hamza Deyaf, Feniex Industries provides American-made vehicle warning devices for first responders, worldwide, and continues to be one of the fastest-growing businesses in the vehicle warning market, with over 100 employees and 1,000 dealers and distributors…in more than 30 countries. To lean more, visit www.feniex.com.

Police Fleet Professional Goes One-on-One with Fleet Professionals/Fleet Managers Across the Country – Part 4

By Police Fleet Professional Staff

Police vehicles are integral to law enforcement agencies operating efficiently and effectively. Officers spend many hours in their patrol cars, and they have become a mobile office in many respects. Managing these fleets is a major responsibility, regardless of an agency’s size. Although terrain and weather conditions might impact the wear and tear on police vehicles, there are several other issues that can affect any department’s fleet, whether it is located on the East Coast, West Coast, or in the Midwest. After a successful expo in 2022 in Austin, TX, Police Fleet Professional talked to more fleet managers across the country about how their jobs have changed over the past several years and the topics they are most concerned about.

Mark Crawford Assistant Manager Fleet Operations Unit Kansas City, MO Police Department

Question: What is your current title? How long have you been responsible for police vehicles and/or vehicle purchases?

A: 27 years with Fleet Operations; 4 years as Fleet Manager

Q: What are a few of your key, primary responsibilities?

A: Vehicle purchases, emergency equipment purchases, fleet readiness

Q: If you had to pick one or two fleet-related issues that ‘keep you up on a Sunday night,’ what would they be?

A: We are a 24/7 shop, so I am always concerned about the safety of the personnel working overnights and weekends. Second thing would be ordering vehicles.

Q: Have you ever been to Police Fleet Expo or FPCX? If so, what was your experience like?

A: I have been to a few of them and I believe it is the single most beneficial thing you can attend to help you grow as a Police Fleet Manager. Everyone speaks your language; all conversations are exclusively about police vehicles and running a police fleet. I refer to it as our Comic-Con.

Q: How do you keep up (or keep current) on new vehicles, new vehicle equipment, new products in the market? Include all that apply.

A: Manufacturer Reps, Colleagues (other Fleet Managers) and PFE. I do a lot of research on my own as well.

Q: Who makes the final purchasing decisions within your agency? Include all that apply.

A: We are given a budget and I decide which vehicles and quantities to purchase from that point, but the bulk of the vehicle purchase is approved by the Board of Police Commissioner per guidelines set in place.

Q: Who makes the following purchasing decisions in your agency regarding:

A: Vehicles: Me, Radios: Radio and IT departments, Body Cameras: Radio and IT departments, Rugged Laptops or other interior items for the vehicle: IT department, Lightbars and other exterior equipment for the vehicle: Me. My responsibility are vehicles; primary and secondary are emergency lighting and fleet purchases in general.

Q: What effect has the global semiconductor shortage had on your fleet? Is this better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: The whole slowdown is having a detrimental effect on keeping Fleet Readiness. Our goal is always 98 percent Fleet Readiness, and we have fallen to 93 percent for periods of time.

Q: Is it still difficult to get vehicles or vehicle parts right now, due to the supply chains being disrupted from the pandemic? Is it better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: Vehicles are extremely hard, the ordering windows do not align with anyone’s fiscal calendar, and if you do get an order in, nothing is guaranteed that you will actually receive your vehicles. It’s not really an order as much as it is a ‘wish list.’ New emergency equipment is especially difficult right now.

Q: Hiring qualified personnel continues to be somewhat of a challenge for many departments and agencies across the country. Do you currently have many vacancies or openings in your department… especially for fleet-related jobs?

A: We have been fortunate in finding good people as of late. We do have several openings due to retirements.

Q: With the exception of higher gas prices, are the general costs of maintaining a police fleet (or fleet of vehicles) coming in much higher than other years, or about the same?

A: Very much so.

Q: How do you handle all the new technology and upgrades in the police vehicles today? Is it making your job easier, or more complicated and difficult?

A: It has made our jobs more difficult by having to correspond with other units for their responsibilities on the vehicles. I feel it’s too much and distracting to officers.

Jennifer Anderson Fleet Procurement Manager Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Q: What is your current title? How long have you been responsible for police vehicles and/or vehicle purchases?

A: Fleet Procurement Manager. I have been in State Government service for almost 17 years and I’ve been taking care of Government Fleet Vehicles for 10 years. I took the Fleet Manager position with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in 2021.

Q: What are a few of your key, primary responsibilities?

A: I am honored to be able to support our mission by making sure that our personnel have safe, operable vehicles and proper emergency equipment needed to serve their missions. I maintain the lifecycles of our units and use discernment regarding what and where our resources and tools are best placed and purposed.

Q: If you had to pick one or two fleet-related issues that ‘keep you up on a Sunday night,’ what would they be?

A: Safety is always my number one priority. I’m always concerned about how well our vehicles are performing in the field. The last thing our personnel need to be concerned about is if their tools are going to fail them. Secondly, as many Fleet Managers of late have been doing, I find myself brainstorming on how to better meet our needs in these complicated economic times.

Q: Have you ever been to Police Fleet Expo or FPCX? If so, what was your experience like?

A: I was able to represent the TBI at the recent 2022 FPCX in Austin, Texas, for the first time in our agency’s history. It was a great showcase of the various products and technologies available as well as a great opportunity to meet and learn from peers in various agencies.

Q: How do you keep up (or keep current) on new vehicles, new vehicle equipment, new products in the market? Include all that apply. (Trade Shows, Magazines, Websites, Manufacturer Reps, etc.)

A: I have found that visiting various local and state law enforcement agencies and meeting with fleet managers to see where the industry standards are currently has given me a great amount of context from which to decide what is best for our unique fleet. I have also been meeting with various upfitters across our state, speaking with both owners and technicians as well as manufacturer reps to see what technology is coming up and what the applications and obstacles are. Our agents as the end users are also a great resource.

Q: Who makes the final vehicle purchasing decisions within your agency? Include all that apply. (Police Chief, Fleet Manager, etc.)

A: We have an excellent team that collaborates on meeting our fleet needs. As Fleet Manager, I work closely with our State Department of General Services personnel to procure vehicles. I also coordinate with our Assistant Directors and regional personnel, Special Agents In Charge and their assistants, to assess and decide what vehicles to select and how our resources are best deployed.

Q: Who makes the following purchasing decisions in your agency regarding:

A: Vehicles: Our Fleet Manager, Radios: Our internal Technology & Innovation Department takes the lead on radios, Body Cameras: Our internal Technology & Innovation Division is over all recording and A/V equipment, Rugged Laptops or other interior items for the vehicle: Fleet Manager in coordination with the vehicle operators and division heads, Lightbars and other exterior equipment for the vehicle: Fleet Manager in coordination with the vehicle operators and division heads.

Q: What effect has the global semiconductor shortage had on your fleet? Is this better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: The semiconductor shortage continues to be of concern and impact has remained consistent, but I am optimistic that this will soon improve.

Q: Is it still difficult to get vehicles or vehicle parts right now, due to the supply chains being disrupted from the pandemic? Is it better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: Yes, obtaining vehicles and parts are still a challenge. This year has proven to be more problematic as many manufacturers have shifted priority from fleet vehicles to servicing the retail industry.

Q: Hiring qualified personnel continues to be somewhat of a challenge for many departments and agencies across the country. Do you currently have many vacancies or openings in your department…especially for fleet-related jobs?

A: Our state has made some great investments in support of Law Enforcement and our fleet is expanding as a result. I do see the need for our administrative staff supporting our fleet to expand accordingly as well in the coming years.

Q: With the exception of higher gas prices…are the general costs of maintaining a police fleet (or fleet of vehicles) coming in much higher than other years…or about the same?

A: Prices have increased across the board, about 10 percent at least on everything, it seems, and we are adjusting. We constantly assess where we can find savings going forward. We find ourselves thinking more creatively and being much more strategic and specific on the way we outfit and utilize our tools.

Q: How do you handle all the new technology and upgrades in the police vehicles today? Is it making your job easier…or more complicated and difficult?

A: Advancements in police vehicle technology have overall made my job easier. There are a variety of solutions to obstacles that we frequently face at a variety of price points and application levels. I am constantly impressed by the ingenuity I see in this industry.

Karen Griggs Fleet Manager Colorado Department of Public Safety

Q: What is your current title? How long have you been responsible for police vehicles and/or vehicle purchases?

A: I am the Fleet Manager for the Colorado Department of Public Safety. I have been in the fleet industry for over 30 years, 21 of it in First Responder vehicle procurement and management.

Q: What are a few of your key, primary responsibilities?

A: I oversee the day-to-day operations of the Public Safety fleet. I am responsible for the writing of the specifications and the procurement of the new vehicles and the emergency equipment that goes along with the vehicles.

Q: If you had to pick one or two fleet-related issues that ‘keep you up on a Sunday night,’ what would they be?

A: First would be the current vehicle procurement challenges with the manufacturers cancelling vehicles, not building the vehicles on order, or holding the built vehicles until chips become available. The second issue is how to keep our current, very talented employees motivated to remain working in the state system.

Q: Have you ever been to Police Fleet Expo or FPCX? If so, what was your experience like?

A: I have been attending since 2016. I believe that this is a must-go-to conference for anyone in the Law Enforcement arena. The information I have received at the conference has been invaluable. The connections you make with the manufacturers of the emergency vehicles and emergency equipment is priceless. Not only do you see what is up and coming, but you also can work directly with them to solve existing issues and concerns. It is invaluable to have a go-to person when you need something.

Q: How do you keep up (or keep current) on new vehicles, new vehicle equipment, new products in the market? Include all that apply. (Trade Shows, Magazines, Websites, Manufacturer Reps, etc.)

A: Police Fleet Expo (FPCX) is the primary place, but also with the connections made with the manufacturers. The CSP Troopers are always sending information on equipment that they see and think is cool for us to present to the equipment committee.

Q: Who makes the final vehicle purchasing decisions within your agency? Include all that apply. (Police Chief, Fleet Manager, etc.)

A: This is a combined process between the Fleet Manager and the leadership of each individual agency. CSP is the largest agency that I am responsible for and I work closely with Command Staff to determine the appropriate vehicles.

Q: Who makes the following purchasing decisions in your agency regarding:

A: Vehicles: Fleet Manager and agency leadership, Radios: Agency communications departments, Body Cameras: CSP Command Staff Rugged Laptops or other interior items for the vehicle: Combination of the Business Intelligence unit for the laptops and the Fleet Manager for interior items in the vehicle, Lightbars and other exterior equipment for the vehicle: Fleet Manager.

Q: What effect has the global semiconductor shortage had on your fleet? Is this better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: So far, the effect has not been major. I have had to change my approach to purchasing equipment. I have to plan further out to accommodate the longer delivery times for added equipment. We have had to change some of the vehicle orders to different vehicles or manufacturers due to manufacturers cancelling or not building vehicles.

Q: Is it still difficult to get vehicles or vehicle parts right now, due to the supply chains being disrupted from the pandemic? Is it better, the same, or worse than a year ago?

A: The challenge continues; in some areas, there is slight improvement, but in other areas, it has gotten worse.

Q: Hiring qualified personnel continues to be somewhat of a challenge for many departments and agencies across the country. Do you currently have many vacancies or openings in your department…especially for fleet-related jobs?

A: I am very fortunate that I have a great team with personnel who have quite a bit of experience and have been with us for a long time. We just added a couple of positions. It was a challenge to find qualified applicants, but I just filled my last open position.

Q: With the exception of higher gas prices…are the general costs of maintaining a police fleet (or fleet of vehicles) coming in much higher than other years…or about the same?

A: The labor prices have increased quite a bit. Dealerships have raised their hourly labor rate in some cases as much as 35 percent and the smaller, independent shops are following suit. The material costs have gone up also, especially on oil.

Q: How do you handle all the new technology and upgrades in the police vehicles today? Is it making your job easier…or more complicated and difficult?

A: Improved technology is always good. The technology, depending on what it is, may make the job easier for the driver, but requires more work for the technician building the vehicle. There are always training challenges with new technology.