ConstructionWorX DIGITAL
TELEMATICS
Information, not data, is the new gold Despite being an industry quite literally built on hard graft and manual labour, the construction sector is far from excluded when it comes to the positive impact that technology can have on operational efficiency, cost savings, theft prevention and ultimately – gaining value. Tamara Baranova, ABAX UK explains… This year’s Futureworx event saw National Highways unveil a new first of its kind industry-wide scoring system for Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP) to leaders in the construction industry. Attendees at the event were shown a demonstration of the new standardised scoring system, that is based on a machine’s level of automation. This clear and accurate information will revolutionise decision-making in the industry, allowing for an efficient way to compare different types of machinery for different tasks. It also highlights the growing acceptance of new technology and software and changing attitudes within the sector. In its most simple essence – the information provides value. While it’s often referred to as ‘data’, in reality, humans can’t process data. We need information that is structured, organised and processed in a fashion that allows us to make decisions and implement outcomes.
Information, not data, is the new gold The introduction of the new CAP system is one element of a wider process when it comes to turning data into information and information into decisions, and in some cases – into reports - in construction and heavy plant management.
10 JUNE 2022
A new era of information Plant and construction machinery tracking, via telematics, is something the sector is familiar with. It’s been utilised successfully to combat high theft rates, aid recovery post theft and increase visibility of machinery usage and tool location – but it’s become complex with in-built machinery tracking leading to sites juggling different types of tracking software at any given time. When tracking is utilised efficiently it has huge potential, not only in reducing thefts, but in helping to monitor fuel consumption and machinery usage – but as with any tool, it needs to be time efficient, as well as holistic to be of value. First, we must consider what information the construction industry needs to gather and collate to generate impactful outcomes. It could be: ● Information to run businesses more efficiently when it comes to the location of assets and their usage. ● It could be job specific requirements, such as evidence operating hours are being adhered to. ● Or it may be legislative, such as CO2 or SECR reporting. The Highways Agency new CAP system reinforces the need to observe, understand, decide and act but this volume of information cannot be gathered without the right software solution.
