As Eclipse celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of the commercial vehicle diagnostics industry. Established in 2005, Eclipse has grown from modest beginnings to become a leading name in diagnostic solutions. This journey parallels significant transformations in commercial vehicle technology, regulation, and customer expectations.
Eclipse: 20 Years of Excellence
Founded in 2005, Eclipse began our journey with a clear vision: providing reliable, innovative diagnostics tools tailored to commercial vehicles. From early standalone diagnostic units to today’s sophisticated cloud-connected platforms, Eclipse has consistently pioneered advancements in vehicle diagnostics.
Timeline of Eclipse Milestones
2005: Eclipse was founded by Richard Parkin and Dave Rees, releasing our first standalone diagnostic tool.
2006: Release of the Testpad, a rugged tablet PC, was developed in response to industry demand for a durable, portable diagnostic device tailored for workshop environments. This coincided with moving to a new premises in Centrum 100, Burton Upon Trent. The year also saw the official launch of Jaltest V2 diagnostic software, marking its second major update.
2007: Launch of technical support service call centre, providing telephone assistance to customers around the country. The third major software update was released by Jaltest, with the Jaltest V3 being officially launched.
2008: Eclipse moved to a new, larger premises in Granary Wharf and became a partner of Autocom. Jaltest V5 software update released, as well as Link V5
2009: In 2009, we started producing the Eclipse Workstation, our own bespoke product for housing diagnostic equipment in the workshop. As the business saw significant growth, Eclipse picked up several national customers across the country.
2010: Eclipse was made the official partner and distributor of Jaltest in the UK, becoming Jaltest UK. Jaltest Link V6.1 released.
2011: EDIS, our car diagnostic tool, was first released in partnership with Autocom. The Jaltest V7 was released. The Jaltest Tractor Diagnostics (now known as AGV) module was released for agricultural vehicles, and the Jaltest Special Vehicles module was released for construction equipment (or as we now call it, OHW).
2012: We grew the technical support teams, splitting them into dedicated Vehicle and IT departments. The Jaltest V8 Link was released.
2013: The Jaltest V8.1 Link was released. Version 8.1 changed from an individual serial port cable m2/m3 to interchangeable A cables for ease of use. Additional protocols were added to facilitate Euro 6 vehicles. Uprated Bluetooth for faster, more stable connectivity.
2014: Due to growth, a rapidly expanding customer base and the need for a training facility, Eclipse moved to a new, bigger headquarters in Swadlincote. The Jaltest AGV (Agricultural) module became it’s own module.
2015: Launch of Total Eclipse – our 5-year package.
2016: Jaltest releases its Jaltest Marine module, focusing on boats and marine engines.
2017: Brett Edkins appointed Technical Manager, later becoming Technical Director.
2018: The Jaltest OHW (Off-Highway) module became its own independent module.
2019: In July 2019, Mark Graham started as General Manager, later becoming Managing Director of Eclipse. Cojali also released the Jaltest ADAS Calibration equipment this year.
2020: The release of the Testpad Extreme® Pro, the latest iteration of the Testpad series. In February 2020, the Jaltest V9 Link was released. The year also saw the departure of Dave Rees as Technical Director.
2021: 2021 was a busy year. A new state-of-the-art training centre was opened in Derby. The Eclipse eShop, our online shop, was also launched. EDIS II was released, the latest generation of our car diagnostic tool. Finally, the Jaltest MHE module, covering material handling equipment, was released.
2022: The company became an EOT (employee-owned trust). Knorr-Bremse acquired a majority stake in Cojali.
2023: Thanks to Knorr-Bremse ownership, the NEO Green “dealer tool” was made available to Jaltest customers using the Jaltest Link. This year also saw the introduction of Jaltest OEM RMI (manufacturer technical information in Jaltest).
2024: Introduction of Central Services – remote dealer-level programming through Jaltest – a first-of-its-kind for any multi-brand diagnostic tool. NEO Green was rebranded as Knorr-Bremse Diagnostics and was integrated with the Jaltest software. Eclipse also launched technical support through WhatsApp.
2025: We celebrate our 20th anniversary
Revolution in Vehicle Diagnostics
Over the last 20 years, commercial vehicle diagnostics have transformed drastically. Initially, diagnostics were rudimentary, reactive solutions used mainly for fault detection. Today, the industry leverages proactive and predictive diagnostics driven by artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced telematics.
Early 2000s: Basic Diagnostics
In 2005, diagnostics primarily consisted of basic onboard diagnostics (OBD) tools. These early solutions required physical connections, providing simple fault codes for troubleshooting. Technicians relied heavily on manual inspections, expertise, and experience.
2010s: Connectivity and Data
By the 2010s, technology took significant strides forward. Eclipse introduced remote diagnostics capabilities, enabling fleet managers and technicians to remotely monitor vehicle health. This innovation drastically reduced downtime and maintenance costs by allowing for quicker fault identification and resolution.
The industry also experienced the adoption of telematics systems, capturing real-time vehicle performance data. These systems provided critical insights, helping to optimise fuel efficiency, manage emissions compliance, and improve fleet productivity.
2020 Onwards: Cloud and AI Integration
Cloud technology became increasingly influential, facilitating seamless data sharing and analysis. Eclipse adopted these technologies, delivering tools that could instantly diagnose complex issues across multiple vehicle systems remotely.
Simultaneously, AI and machine learning began transforming diagnostics, empowering predictive maintenance. These advanced systems not only detected faults but also anticipated issues before they occurred, significantly extending vehicle lifespans and optimising fleet management.
Emissions Regulations and Their Impact
One of the most significant shifts over the past 20 years in the commercial vehicle industry has been the stringent regulations concerning emissions.
Euro Standards Evolution
- Euro IV (2005): Marked the beginning of stricter emission standards, demanding improved exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies.
- Euro V (2009): Further tightened standards requiring advanced SCR systems, significantly reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
- Euro VI (2013): The most stringent regulations yet, necessitating sophisticated after-treatment systems, including diesel particulate filters (DPFs), improved SCR, and enhanced diagnostics to continuously monitor emissions compliance.
Eclipse has supported these regulatory transitions by offering diagnostic solutions capable of addressing these increasingly complex emissions systems, ensuring compliance and optimal vehicle performance.
Electrification and Sustainability
Recent years have witnessed a profound shift towards sustainability, with electrification of commercial vehicles gaining prominence.
Transition to Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Electric and hybrid commercial vehicles are now central to fleet strategies aiming for sustainability and compliance with stringent emissions regulations. This shift has necessitated advanced diagnostics, specifically designed to manage sophisticated battery management systems (BMS), electric motor controllers, and high-voltage components.
Eclipse responded to this industry shift by launching dedicated diagnostic tools for electric and hybrid vehicles in 2023, ensuring that commercial fleets are equipped to maintain and optimise their electric vehicle operations effectively.
Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Diagnostics
As Eclipse marks two decades of innovation, the diagnostics industry is poised for further transformation, driven by:
Advanced Predictive Analytics: Enhanced predictive capabilities will foresee potential failures with greater accuracy, reducing downtime significantly.
Increased Automation and AI Integration: AI-driven automation will become standard, performing routine diagnostic tasks and suggesting preventive actions autonomously.
Expansion of Connectivity: Vehicles will increasingly communicate not only with fleet management systems but also with infrastructure, traffic management systems, and other vehicles, necessitating even more advanced diagnostics.
Celebrating 20 Years of Eclipse
The past 20 years have been monumental for Eclipse, marked by technological innovation, industry leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The journey from simple OBD scanners to advanced AI-driven diagnostic platforms mirrors broader industry evolution.
As Eclipse celebrates our 20th anniversary, the company’s legacy of innovation and reliability positions it at the forefront of a continuously evolving industry. Committed to leading advancements in diagnostics, Eclipse remains focused on providing the solutions commercial fleets need to thrive now and in the future.
Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation and excellence at Eclipse!
