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.

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.

Multiple systems for mixed fleets can be a drain on resources

If your fleet consists of one piece of plant or machinery or multiple pieces from the same OEM – you have a smooth ride ahead.

However, in reality, most construction or plant hire companies are operating mixed OEM fleets, and while each piece has its own fantastic software solution, a mixed fleet means that you are required to use multiple systems, log-ins, passwords, as well as the time and resource to collate the data from each system and find a unified way to report and analyse the information.

That’s not to say there isn’t a consistent standard across these systems – but what happens if you have assets that aren’t covered by the ISO data standard, or other elements of the fleet such as vehicles and tools?

We refer to this as asset compatibility.

True and full visibility over mixed OEM fleets can be achieved

Alongside the above challenge, construction firms often come into difficulties over asset location. For instance, when operating fleets comprise vehicles, plant and tools, this could lead to a logistics question over staff delivering or collecting items, arriving on site, misplaced tools or stolen items.

Today, asset tracking is not only a good idea, but business critical, as many of our customers can attest. For example, Wright Roofing Ltd shared with us: “From a couple of clicks on a computer app we know where the lads are, when they will arrive at their next destination and how long before they get back to the yard – so that we can get the next delivery picked and ready to go out.” While J McCann Construction said: “The ABAX system has helped us to become more efficient with less time spent manually locating equipment, vehicles and kit. We also quickly recovered stolen equipment worth £25,000.”

With asset compatibility and asset location in mind, we created ABAX Smart Connect. A software solution that provides businesses with full control over a mixed OEM fleet, all while reducing risk and increasing efficiency – and being incredibly user friendly.

ABAX Smart Connect complies with ISO 15143, connecting data across your ENTIRE fleet from assets both with and without OEM connectivity. This includes all types of plant and machinery, vehicles and tools, to give you instant access to a sustainable, consistent format that allows for easy analysis.

All of this happens in one platform with one interface, one log in and one set of reports that pull together information that covers a range of information points.

With all the data you need in one platform you can easily see fuel consumption, spotting potential cost-drainers like unnecessarily idling machinery. On average, ABAX tracking solutions save users 18.5 per cent on fuel costs alone. Staff punctuality can also be improved, and machinery usage monitored too, so you can quickly identify issues but also keep an eye on servicing and maintenance.

The evidence that telematics works in theft scenarios is clear to see, we’ve had customers recover stolen vehicles that have travelled over 150 miles, all thanks to ABAX GPS tracking. While JMC Construction had a very quick theft recovery: “Since having the trackers on our vehicles and plant, productivity has increased by 33% and a stolen van was recovered within 2 hours of being reported stolen.”

Realising the full potential of telematics – with just one screen

But imagine trying to track plant and machinery in a theft situation across multiple platforms – it becomes a lot to juggle, and some misplaced or stolen items could be missed. That’s where Smart Connect brings huge benefit to sites and companies managing multiple brands of plant and machinery – they can still utilise the in-built telematics technology but pull all the vital data they need to have visibility over their entire fleet in one platform. Time is saved and the risk of error reduced.

By harnessing technology to do the ‘heavy lifting’ of tracking, monitoring and reporting on ALL of your assets with information, companies are more equipped to meet business needs such as improved efficiency as well as contractual and regularity obligations.

Visit ABAX for further information.