7 benefits of having a unified telematics solution for Mixed Fleets

Using a variety of data platforms from different manufacturers means reduced efficiency. Coordinating all this disparate information, interpreting it in a useful way, and delivering value to the business is a serious challenge. In addition, parallel platforms for small device trackers and vehicles introduce inefficiencies; maintaining multiple interfaces is costly and can be prone to failure as a result.

The usability of OEM platforms also varies widely - a single, simple user interface dramatically improves ease of use.

Fully integrating all data sources on a single platform means:

• All equipment, including machines, small equipment, and trucks, provide data on a single multi-brand platform.
• The consolidated platform can be integrated with other systems, such as your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, consistently.
• Continuous monitoring of the data supplied by the OEM to ensure quality and raise alerts in case of lack of quality.
• A reduction in the coordination effort previously needed across multiple interfaces as there is no need to build and maintain custom integrations with proprietary vendor interfaces.
• Long-term availability and access to historical data. Even if the interface with a provider fails. 

Tracking work orders, providing evidence of work done, and maintenance planning using a manual, paper-based system is cumbersome and inefficient.

Forward-thinking companies have automated the creation of work orders (assignments) in their service ticketing systems, thereby reducing manual steps in their processes. Assignments are focused on creating work orders for a machine or set of machines and providing evidence of the work done.

Automation means data accuracy across business processes is increased and errors reduced. Additionally, compliance becomes more automated, efficiency increases, and organizations move ever closer to a paperless system with its associated cost savings.

Maintenance planning that relies on manually entered data presents several challenges, including compliance with service intervals. Without a unified view of equipment, transmission errors and incomplete data result in missed maintenance and unplanned downtime. With all service intervals coordinated through a single, centralized dashboard, you'll never miss one again.

A poorly documented process means multiple machine trips for upgrades and maintenance and wasted time spent on-site searching for machines to be maintained.

An automated (or even partially automated) machine maintenance process has the following benefits:

• More automation means the process is more accurate, better planned and you can organize your staffing (service technicians) more efficiently based on location, availability, and workload.  
• All maintenance is centrally managed regardless of the asset type and OEM.
• Maintenance organization and work assignment planning are automated.
• You always have up-to-date information on your machines' locations, to better organize maintenance work.
• Work orders are automatically transferred to the order management of the maintenance department and to order documentation.
• Errors are prevented, and maintenance planning is optimized.
• By doing proper maintenance, machine downtime is lowered. 

In large fleets, coordinated fuel management can help you plan fuel purchases at a higher volume and negotiate better prices as a result. In addition, managing your fleet closer allows you to be more efficient when purchasing just what you need, and ultimately you prevent machine downtime due to lack of fuel on-site.

An uncoordinated fuel call-off process between your construction site (foreman, machine operator) and your fuel supplier leads to a poorly managed, clumsy process. And it can result in refueling and restarting the wrong machines, bad timing, lost productivity, and extended standstill times due to fuel supply interruptions.

Delivery notes and invoices can become mismatched due to an inefficient process.

An automated (or even partially automated) refueling management process has the following benefits across your fleet:

• Machines report refueling needs directly to dispatch and the fuel supplier.
• The position of your machines is also sent, reducing time spent searching for your machines on site.
• The correct fuel requirement is reported, relative to the fill level, the threshold level, and the predicted consumption.
• The fuel supplier reports refueling digitally via electronic invoice, and a comparison is made between the quantity of fuel supplied and the fill level.
• Inefficient fueling that's not in line with demand is eliminated.
• An efficient digital workflow that covers orders and delivers billing and invoices are created.

A unified telematics solution for a mixed fleet increases your fleet’s overall utilization by allocating the right machine to the right job site.

You need to understand which machines are in use or available and where they’re located.

Without an optimized scheduling process, technical capacity utilization is difficult to assess. Also, an unoptimized process results in requirement reporting and machine scheduling based on subjective criteria.

Assessment for capacity utilization optimization usually relies only on commercial capacity utilization measures. Construction sites can’t optimize their processes with reliable machine data.

Lack of location data leads to extended search times for machines to be transported.

Finally, hours are usually only recorded for maintenance and repair work, making it challenging to use data for scheduling, controlling, billing, etc.

An optimized scheduling process means:

• Dispatchers access accurate data (operating hours, geo-positioning, and fill levels).
• Machine conveyors can find machines immediately thanks to digital order control.
• Communication between all parties is based on real, accurate data.
• Machine invoicing is more accurate and accounts for technical utilization.
• Communication times in the scheduling process are reduced. Errors are prevented by using accurate data