Forklift telematics enables your fleet to run as efficiently and effectively as possible. Utilizing GPS technology, wireless connectivity, and telemetry, today’s telematics systems offer significant advantages for materials handling controllers.
As well as tracking the location of individual trucks, telematics systems can track which operators have accessed equipment, when and for how long; they can monitor operator behavior such as speed and movement patterns and report on maintenance and servicing requirements.
Systems such as BSLBATT’s GPS Fleet Management utilize the latest in GPS and wireless technologies to provide real-time information, statistics, and analysis on fleet location and deployment.
Telematics combines telecommunications and informatics. With regard to fleet management, data is gathered from remote trucks and vehicles and typically transmitted over a cellular network for remote-tracking. Managers can log in via a computer or mobile device to get an overview of their entire fleet, based on the data that is being collected and reported.
Wireless communication and tracking technology inform controllers as to how capacity is being utilized, how drivers are performing, and provides insight into the safety of trucks.
Telematics, using sensors and monitoring technology, offer real-time information to supervisors and operators on productivity and offer a birds-eye view of the equipment employed at any given moment.
While vehicle fleets have been using telematics for a number of years, the benefits of telematics are now making their way into warehouse operations.
Telematics connects the dots and turns forklifts into communication devices linked to a central information hub.
With sensors on the connected vehicle, a user can track the location and status of the truck. Telematics began as a simple GPS tracking system and as the technology transformed from military applications the tech has become widely adopted in business and daily life.
Quickly developing from a method to aid navigation and measuring the distance traveled by vehicles, telematics has evolved into something much more powerful covering every part of a vehicle’s work-life service. The once humble forklift truck has very much become a part of the Internet of Things (IoT).
A connected vehicle management system, utilizing forklift telematics, connects communication systems with the truck’s onboard electronics and the BMS battery management system. Some even use mobile networks to transmit data. Utilizing cellular technology removes the need for a WiFi infrastructure making the tech more accessible for smaller fleets who can’t justify the investment in a fixed wireless system. The rollout of 5G will only see this become more commonplace.
When using telematics in conjunction with lithium-ion forklift batteries, the system can trigger notifications to plug-in batteries that are running low on charge and provide location-based data. Sophisticated fleet managers will use this data to optimize their operations. taking advantage of natural breaks to opportunity charge batteries.
Deployment of telematics systems around the globe has shown that operators perform more consistently when they know they are being monitored.
Telematics systems enable comparisons between all other operators and vehicles in the system and compare the performance of different teams and shifts. This increase in accountability is an effective way of lifting productivity. Some organizations have introduced initiatives like league tables and reward schemes based on the results of telematics data to enhance and encourage performance.
Fleet management systems enable controllers to measure the efficiency of a fleet at any given moment in time. Real-time data means that idle trucks can be identified and downtime is minimized. Many businesses will have an idea that their fleet is operating inefficiently, but without tangible data to back this up, effective action can be difficult to implement. Telematics does just this.
A telematics system can be integrated with organizational monitoring and compliance procedures to provide essential insight and reporting. Compliance and improvement targets can be implemented to boost safety and productivity.
Telematics systems can be deployed to enhance training and maintenance requirements. Analysis of the hours spent performing certain tasks can be undertaken and training resources dedicated to critical and repetitive activities.
located in Km. 3 Via Funza - Siberia El Trébol Industrial Park, is a partner for the leading company in the rental of forklifts and heavy machinery yellow line. Optimize your resources by outsourcing your logistics teams. A big part of the company’s overall efficiency is dependent on its fleet of forklifts. After changing forklift brands, the company reduced maintenance costs while improving safety and operational visibility.
“We have More than 300 forklifts, and they are constantly running,” says the plant manager. “We even had to use part of our warehouse for what we call ‘the highway,’ which was developed for forklift travel.”
The maintenance supervisor recalls when maintenance headaches reached a breaking point about two years ago. Every day, it seemed, two or three forklifts were in the shop, and some of them needed extensive repairs. When they introduced new lift trucks (Yale Material Handling U.S.A) in 2018, the company quickly saw a significant difference.
“We’ve noticed a dramatic drop in what we’re spending on forklift repairs, which ultimately hits the bottom line,” the maintenance supervisor said.
The plant managers also increased efficiency with the lift truck manufacturer’s telematics system, a fleet management tool that uses a vehicle management system (GPS) to track and report the operating behavior of a forklift and its operator. GPS is a tool that facilitates the transfer of operating data from a forklift to individuals using standard or customized reports. The telematics system enables operations staff to understand what’s going on from the minute someone logs into the lift until the moment they log off.
“I can look at the report, I can see how the operators are doing, and I can hold them accountable for any impacts they’ve caused, or I can praise them for driving well,” plant managers say. “We spend a lot more time working on our products and a lot less time working on forklifts. Overall, the new lift trucks and telematics system make our job a lot easier in maintenance.”
It’s important to understand upfront what data you wish to collect and why from your telematics investments. A best practice is to communicate with all stakeholders, including IT, Finance, Operations, and Maintenance to gain alignment on your business objectives.
Be willing to start small with singular areas of measurement and then add new areas of improvement and insights as your telematics practice matures.
