Today In Connected Economy: Discount Tire, Motorq Get Connected; Albertsons Partners with Instacart

In today’s top connected economy news, Albertsons now offers Instacart service at 40 stores across the southwestern U.S., while Discount Tire and Motorq team up on a connected vehicle platform. Plus, WebMD and symplr work together on search and scheduling tool.

Discount Tire, Motorq Partner On Connected Fleet Platform

Tire retailer Discount Tire and connected car application programming interface (API) company Motorq have rolled out a connected vehicle platform to Discount Tire’s fleet customers that will analyze live data streamed from the connected cars, giving them insights about their fleets that will allow drivers to make better decisions, according to a news release.

Motorq uses its cloud-based system to monitor embedded data, run advanced analytics and give context to the insights — which include weather and mapping — and deliver the information to fleet owners through a customized dashboard as well as other tools, per the release.

Albertsons Debuts Instacart Service At 40 Southwest Stores

Grocery store company Albertsons will be testing Instacart pilots in six major cities, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver, Supermarket News reported. The company said Tuesday (Aug. 24) it would be rolling out the features in 40 stores in those cities.

That will happen under the brands of Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Safeway and Vons, according to the report. The new click-and-collect service is planned to happen in tandem with the company’s Drive Up and Go curbside pickup program, of which the company added over 320 locations in the first quarter ending June 19.

WebMD, symplr Partner On Provider Search, Appointment Scheduling

WebMD is working with provider data management search platform symplr on a search and scheduling tool that combines both entities’ strengths, according to a press release.

The new offering uses search engine optimization and “trusted content” to lead customers to “a health system’s digital front door for real-time provider search and appointment scheduling,” the release stated. The goal is for WebMD’s content to drive consumers to participating providers, as well as symplr’s Find a Doctor search and scheduling tool.