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Construction Equipment Tracking Solutions
To help with preventing theft and minimising downtime, real-time GPS trackers can be a valuable asset on the construction site. GPS tracking devices are available for all types of assets from heavy equipment to small, hand-held tools.
Why should the construction industry use GPS tracking solutions?
Some of the main reasons owners of construction businesses in the United Kingdom are using GPS tracking software is to improve their equipment management , reduce operating costs and increase equipment utilisation. Other benefits for construction equipment fleets include better maintenance, faster locating of needed tools and equipment, and less downtime on the jobsite.
There are different options available for adding GPS asset tracking to construction equipment or tools, and what you choose will depend on the asset:
- Powered/Non-powered assets - Does it have a power source the GPS asset tracker can connect to, or will the tracking device need to provide its own power (battery powered with long-life batteries)?
- Network connectivity - Real-time asset tracking requires the GPS tracker to report its location, and this means connecting to a network. Commonly, for direct links to the internet, a mobile data connection (e.g. 3G/4G) is used (SIM card with data plan required). The SIM card also allows the tracker to send SMS messages. Additional connections, via wifi networks enable tracking devices to work in a wide range of environments.
Talk to us about the specific GPS tracking requirements for your business, and we can help you find the best fleet management solution for your construction company.
Frequently asked questions
Are apps for mobile construction crew supervisors available?
Yes, apps for both Android and Apple (iPhone and iPad) devices (phones or tablets) are available that allow mobile managers to quickly access location information for equipment or receive important notifications relating to tracked assets.
How do GPS tool trackers minimise theft?
GPS tracking devices fitted to tools can detect movement, and send an alert if moved outside of a designated area (geofence). These alerts can either prevent theft or speed up recovery, with real-time location tracking information provided to your security team or the police. This extra layer of protection provides business owners with more peace of mind, while helping to minimise downtime due to missing tools.
What is asset tracking in construction?
Primarily, when we refer to asset tracking we are talking about assets (any construction equipment, from large plant to smaller pieces of equipment) that can report their real-time location (as well as other information) to a telematics software solution (accessible on a desktop computer or mobile device).
What do construction GPS tracking solutions do?
Many construction fleet owners in the UK are now using GPS trackers to minimise theft of plant and other equipment, as well improving utilisation and reducing the need for equipment rentals simply because it’s too difficult to find the piece of equipment they already own.
What are the benefits of construction GPS tracking systems?
Many construction companies are moving to comprehensive GPS tracking solutions for their equipment, with lower pricing on GPS tracking devices and tool trackers, and benefits related to security, safety, productivity and time-saving.
GPS trackers, or tracking devices in general, are an effective anti-theft measure using geofencing and GPS technology to detect movement and trigger alerts when moved outside of a designated area or outside regular working hours.
Tracking can also help to minimise downtime on the job by improving fleet maintenance (through automated fault code reporting, and engine hour logging) and faster locating of equipment needed.
Construction fuel costs can be reduced with automated monitoring of fuel consumption, helping to prevent fuel theft and making sure expenses are allocated to the correct job. Irregular fuel use can be investigated to see if the way equipment is being used could be improved, similar to how GPS vehicle trackers reduce fuel consumption in regular fleet telematics systems.