Mobile plant and equipment is one of the biggest investments you will make in your business, as your initial capital investment and ongoing operational costs have a significant impact on profitability.
As your plant and equipment will be operating away from the depot for extended periods, verifying their location, efficiency and performance is essential to achieve the maximum return on investment and satisfy your contractual obligations and customers.
Telematics is a tool that can be implemented to complement your risk management system. It combines GPS technology and on-board diagnostics and monitoring sensors to track, log, and report performance and operation data for your equipment.
With a range of options available from mobile software to factory-fitted and/or web-based fleet management systems, there is one to suit your needs.
Benefits Of Telematics
- Greater visibility and real time monitoring of machine location, operations and status
- In-cab measurements of GPS/laser guidance, load weighing on excavators, loaders, cranes, and trucks combined with reporting capabilities
- Improved safety with cameras and other sensors so operators are more aware of their environment
- Scheduled maintenance alerts
- Enhanced productivity, accuracy and consistency on the job
- Better time management
- Reduced fuel and maintenance costs
- Increased security with alerts of unauthorised usage
But how can it help you consolidate and better your business?
Asset Allocation And Tracking
Telematics data can show your machine’s location and utilisation on site. This data can help you discover whether you have underused or overworked equipment by tracking its run time and location. This also assists with effectively allocating plant and equipment to projects and worksites, ensuring operators and trades are equipped with the necessary equipment at the right time to maintain productivity and speed up worksite and customer service processes.
Maintenance And Repair Schedules
Routine maintenance can be hard to stay on top of, especially if you have a fleet of equipment. Sensors and onboard scales are being incorporated into the design of new machines to proactively scan and detect when equipment isn’t operating at peak performance. It will then alert you when a component may be failing and needs servicing or replacing by sending a notification directly to your device.
Operator Performance
Telematics can help you improve the efficiency and safety of worksites by identifying bad habits like prolonged idling time. Speeding, erratic movements, and overloading a machine are all safety hazards that can lead to rollovers and equipment tipping. You can identify operators who are overworking or misusing equipment.
Reduce Theft
With GPS tracking and technology like ‘geo-fencing’, you can be alerted when equipment is being operated outside of scheduled work hours and where it is. Some systems even allow you to remotely shut down the engine if unauthorised use is detected.
In the event equipment does go missing you can track and locate all your equipment and provide it to the local authorities.
Reduce Fuel Consumption
Reducing fuel consumption is one of the biggest money savers telematics systems have been proven to solve. By monitoring idling time versus work time on equipment you can identify which machines are being left on without any work being done.
Implementing best practices to reduce idling times will result in better fuel efficiency, extended engine life, and reduced repair and maintenance costs.
Paperwork And Administration
With telematics your business is able to have data stored in a centralised location, accessible via any device. This means offices are less overrun by paperwork, there is less manual admin, and workflows are optimised so you can get the most out of your time, labour and equipment. Scheduling becomes less daunting and you can reduce the time, energy and resources spent on undergoing basic maintenance checks, creating schedules and tracking.
At Yellow Cover, they too are always innovating ways to help protect your business and move the industry toward a more safe and sustainable future.
If you have a question about their cover or need to lodge a claim, contact their mobile plant and equipment specialists on 1800 684 669 or visit www.yellowcover.com.au for more information.