Heavy Equipment Tracking Must Have Applications

Heavy equipment tracking is not a new concept. 61% of businesses in the construction industry use heavy equipment management software in their operations.

A recent study from SGC Horizon Research Services summarizes the key uses of heavy equipment GPS tracking systems. Here is a list of some of the must-have applications.

Maintenance Scheduling

77% of heavy equipment tracking users say that scheduling maintenance is a must have application. Heavy equipment is constantly used and must be properly maintained. Breakdowns are not only costly to fix but also interrupts valuable business time and becomes a safety hazard.

Traditional maintenance planning involves checklists and inspections. Unfortunately, employees may neglect or may forget to follow processes. This is where a preventative maintenance tool comes in handy.

Preventative maintenance tools schedule and remind employees of service jobs. Administrators often assign service jobs by scheduling daily inspections or by scheduling services based on engine hours. Preventative maintenance, as a result, extend equipment life and prevents breakdowns.

Tracking Equipment Location

Another 77% of businesses say that tracking their equipment location is a must have application. Equipment theft is costing the construction industry millions and millions of dollars. Thieves target heavy equipment because of their high value and because they are often left unattended after hours.

Businesses are fighting back by protecting their equipment with asset trackers. Asset trackers provide real-time tracking. Some trackers even send alerts if an asset is taken out of a marked zone. As a result, businesses can quickly locate and recover assets.

Managing Hours

Time theft is costly for construction companies. Some employees take advantage of payroll systems. They might leave early, take long breaks, or even skip work. Of course, this is all done while being counted on the payroll clock.

A few years ago, the Toronto District School Board experienced similar problems. An audit of their workers revealed that some employees cheated time. Managers found incidents where some employees did not show up for jobs. There were even times where employees used equipment for their own business, all while claiming work hours. How did the TDSB cut down on time fraud?

Like many businesses, heavy equipment GPS tracking systems were used to cut down on time fraud. GPS systems help verify the payroll process by matching up work hours with equipment use. Managers can quickly catch unauthorized breaks and absences by viewing equipment reports.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Tracking

Heavy equipment tracking is also available as a mobile app. Mobile apps are especially useful when workers are working remotely and need a way to communicate with managers.

Some of the common applications of mobile apps include sending pictures of work orders and tracking work orders. A good example is maintenance apps. Managers can send employees reminders to check equipment on their phones. In turn, employees can comment and send pictures of inspections. This creates a well-documented process of fulfilling work orders.

Sources:
Construction Equipment: Survey of State-of-the-Art Technology in the Construction Industry
The Star: TDSB Cracking Down on Fraud and Waste in Maintenance