There's currently a lot of talk about telematics in the plant and equipment hire industry, and for good reason. The benefits are far-reaching, and tick so many boxes. The team at Hyra recently shared their insights on LinkedIn to shed some light on how data can positively impact the way we work on sites across the country. As this was well-received, we thought it pertinent to share these insights in a single blog…
Gaining knowledge and insights As a company, we are huge fans of reports. Our weekly Live On-Hire reports show what kit is on-site and are instrumental to timely off-hires, driving savings, safety and forward-planning. Taking data collation further, it’s possible to see how much each piece of kit is being used, for what timeframe it's fully functioning, idling, or switched off. These findings encourage changes in behaviour and policy, switching off when not in use, and hiring less but using each hired asset more. Sourcing plant for the next stage of the project is made easier, as you can see where you are in the programme, and in turn, minimise delays.
Safety
Telematics are rapidly changing the way we work, whether it be on a building site or at an events space. By their very nature, work sites can be dangerous places. Moving machinery, heavy materials and variable weather conditions are just a few factors. Telematics can help. While they cannot control the weather or your sleep pattern, they are able to make sure the equipment on-site is in optimum condition. They send timely reminders of when kit needs an upcoming service or is likely to need a new part. They will also show error codes on plant with enough time to fix before it breaks down and delays the programme. Even more importantly, they can tell us when operatives are performing their roles unsafely. For example, driving around site in a telehandler with the forks up.
Data also makes sites safer by highlighting what equipment is needed at each stage of the project, enabling off-hire and reducing cost, reduce risk of theft and potential hazards on-site.
The environment
Telematics go beyond making sites safer working environments. They change working patterns and behaviours which in turn, lower emissions, reduce cost, and lead us to use plant more efficiently, idling less and switching off more. The insights data gives radically change how we work, encouraging retraining of staff to switch off rather than idle, saving CO2 emissions and fuel costs. They enable us to make conscious equipment and fuel choices and see the difference our choices make.
GPS location data
This technology shows if a machine has been used, and how productively, as well as showing how it travels around site. It’s becoming instrumental to site safety and workzone compliance. GPS is also helpful when tracking down plant on busy sites, saving project teams time and enabling them to get on with the job with the equipment they need. It makes off-hire easy and declutters the site, optimising the working environment, safety conditions and value.
Geo-fencing
This is one of the most fascinating developments. A digital boundary is made around assets on-site and if any asset moves outside of the boundary, the central dashboard receives an alert, making equipment easier to find on busy, large sites and reducing mistakes and plant theft.
Central dashboard
If you want to see where every piece of plant is on-site, what you have on-hire and from where, how much each asset is being used, what your various fuel levels are and if there are any maintenance issues, telematics can display all of this and more on a central dashboard. By plugging telematics into every piece of plant on-site, a unique site map can be created showcasing the above. What's not to love?
In summary
Telematics are indispensable on a modern construction site for plant and equipment. They are driving so many positive changes in the way we work across sites and industries. With the help of the data they give, we are working in safer environments with kit in more optimal condition, and we are working more efficiently with equipment, off-hiring once its job is done. We are also forward-planning better and consequently reducing our overall programme. We are switching off and reducing our emissions. Plant is less prone to theft and damage as we can see where it is and off-hire when we have finished using it. Telematics are, without doubt, game-changing! What’s more, modern machines are equipped with telematics. It’s just about turning on the facility and having the understanding and method to read the data and then report back to optimise and manage equipment better. It’s a learning, but certainly one that’s worthwhile and Hyra is happy to lead the way.
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