Construction equipment usually comes at a hefty price, and it is not an item you would prefer recurring in your monthly or even yearly budget. That is why protecting your costly investment is important, ensuring it operates optimally and yields good returns.
To significantly reduce operational and maintenance costs, addressing issues such as idle time, improper or unauthorized usage, fuel wastage, and particularly equipment theft is vital.
According to the 2020 Equipment Theft Report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 11,117 cases of stolen heavy equipment, including construction equipment, were reported in the year.
A robust heavy equipment tracking system is the ideal solution to address such challenges. By deploying GPS equipment tracking technology, construction companies can easily monitor, locate, and manage your heavy equipment, ensuring its safety and proper use and improving its on-site performance.
In this article, we will explore how you can use GPS tracking in construction for heavy equipment, highlighting its key features and types, and understanding how it benefits the construction industry as a whole.
What is GPS tracking?
Utilizing the global positioning system (GPS), GPS tracking has transformed asset and resource management across several industries. With the help of GPS tracking devices, you can accurately track the location of your equipment in real-time. Construction companies can derive multiple benefits from using GPS tracking for construction equipment and other high-value assets.
For example, construction companies can use GPS tracking technology to know the exact location of their equipment, ensuring the costly machinery is safe and used efficiently. The GPS tracking technology provides exact location details of the equipment, enabling construction managers to track it closely and make informed decisions about the allocation of resources.
What is GPS tracking for heavy equipment?
Also referred to as GPS tracking devices, GPS trackers are small, versatile tools that can be attached to various assets, including heavy equipment used in construction. These trackers play a significant role in enhancing the equipment’s safety, reducing the theft risk, and improving equipment tracking.
Construction companies can use GPS trackers to remotely access real-time location details of their equipment, allowing them to take immediate action in case of potential theft or unauthorized use.
It is true that the construction industry significantly relies on heavy equipment and machinery to perform several maintenance tasks. Adopting GPS tracking technology helps construction companies manage and protect their equipment.
Construction equipment ranging from bulldozers to cranes can be equipped with GPS tracking devices, making it easier for managers to track their location, usage, and maintenance needs. This also ensures the efficient allocation of resources, thereby reducing downtime and costs.
Specifically designed for heavy equipment used in construction, GPS tracking devices are made to endure the harsh conditions of construction sites and can be discreetly attached to the equipment. All in all, GPS equipment trackers allow construction companies to streamline maintenance management by improving equipment safety and optimizing resource allocation to reduce unnecessary costs.
Which industries can use GPS equipment tracking technology?
The GPS equipment tracking technology is widely used across multiple industries, including:
Construction
As discussed above, construction companies heavily rely on GPS tracking technology. One of the reasons GPS tracking technology is widely used in the construction industry is that the employees within this industry have to work on several different projects at different locations.
Construction companies make use of GPS tracking to ensure field workers are working at the right job locations, preventing time theft and tracking the duration of the project accurately.
Vehicle GPS tracking can also be used in the construction industry. This is true for cases where construction workers commute in company-owned vehicles, and their location is tracked with the help of GPS trackers installed on their vehicles.
On the other hand, GPS tracking technology also tracks heavy equipment and tools to prevent theft and locate misplaced or lost equipment or tools.
Utilities
Utilities is another industry that uses GPS equipment tracking technology extensively. For example, utility companies use GPS tracking technology to organize and streamline their routes for meter readings. They can use the technology to find lost or stolen equipment in case of loss or theft. With GPS tracking, electric companies or water companies can send the nearest service provider to evaluate and resolve the problems if the services are down at a particular location.
Healthcare
GPS tracking is also extensively used within the healthcare industry. For instance, healthcare facility centers install GPS tracking devices on patients, especially when they may put themselves at risk by going out alone or venturing outside the facility. This is most common with patients at nursing homes and psychiatric facilities who have mental conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other critical psychiatric problems.
On the other hand, healthcare administrators also use GPS tracking to manage a large hospital staff that is usually distributed across a wide range of locations.
Farming
Farming is another industry that uses GPS tracking technology extensively. In fact, its usage of GPS tracking is much broader compared to other industries. For example, farmers can use GPS tracking devices to map fields and get critical insights about crop conditions, moisture levels, and soil types. Based on this information, they can create yield maps after harvesting season.
Many farming businesses install GPS tracking devices on their livestock to track their location, find escaped animals, manage the use of pasture, and monitor grazing patterns. Crop farmers also use GPS tracking to automate their equipment. For example, they can use it to apply fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds to the crops. Moreover, they can also automate plowing, planting, and harvesting with the help of GPS tracking.
Transportation
Several rideshare service providers and taxis use GPS tracking technology to track drivers in the vicinity to reduce wait times. The same technology can be used to make sure passengers are safely reaching their destinations. For example, the law enforcement agencies can be immediately alerted if the taxi driver fails to take the passenger to the right destination.
Similarly, public transportation companies can also use GPS tracking by installing trackers on their vehicles, providing exact wait times to the people commuting on them on a daily basis. GPS tracking also helps public transportation companies optimize routes and get alerts about required and suggested maintenance.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing companies can use GPS tracking equipped with manufacturing maintenance software to track the status and location of delivery vehicles that carry raw materials. This helps them manage their supply chains and avoid delays in production. For example, when a vehicle loaded with heavy equipment is delayed, the GPS tracker can reroute it to a different location with a shorter distance or inform manufacturing teams in advance to change schedules.
Infrastructure and Roadways
Major infrastructure and roadway projects involve heavy usage of GPS tracking systems. GPS tracking systems track heavy equipment like bulldozers, repair vehicles, and excavators. This helps ensure project managers that the equipment is properly allocated across different locations and protected from being misused or stolen.
With GPS tracking for heavy equipment, project managers can get real-time visibility of equipment, knowing where it is located at a given time and when it is idle or needed at some location.
Landscaping
GPS tracking is also heavily used in the landscaping industry. For example, landscaping teams can schedule and send crews to different locations using GPS tracking, thus minimizing fuel costs and allowing crews to cover more client locations. Customer satisfaction also improves as they get an estimate of arrival times.
Restaurants and Food Trucks
Many restaurants and food trucking companies use GPS tracking to maintain and communicate the right locations to their customers, improving accessibility and increasing sales. Using GPS tracking technology, they can better plan routes for replenishing stock and allow their vehicles to restock regularly. Food trucking companies can also inform their customers about their current location. For example, they can use GPS tracking to inform their customers through social media about their current location or any changes in their usual route, getting more customer engagement.
Examples of GPS tracking for heavy equipment
Let’s explore some examples of GPS tracking for heavy equipment within the construction industry.
- Using GPS equipment trackers, you can track heavy equipment like bulldozers, cranes, and excavators to ensure they are where they are supposed to be.
- GPS trackers provide Immediate alerts on unauthorized movement or use, thus reducing the theft risk.
- GPS trackers help monitor equipment usage, ensure efficient resource allocation, and reduce idle time.
- Construction teams can monitor multiple pieces of equipment across different sites, improving operational efficiency and resource allocation.
Types of GPS tracking devices for heavy equipment
Other technologies can be used to track heavy equipment, but GPS is considered the top choice. Below, we have outlined the best GPS tracking devices that are available for heavy equipment:
Battery-powered
Battery-powered GPS tracking devices are built to send a location signal every 23 hours. They can potentially send more frequent updates, but this may affect the battery life. These are non-rechargeable GPS trackers that have up to a 7-year battery life.
Solar-powered
Solar-powered GPS trackers also send location updates every 23 hours but have the potential to do so more often. Unlike battery-powered GPS trackers, they can be recharged via sunlight for unlimited battery life. Some models can send signals upon detecting vibration, indicating the asset’s movement or use.
Plug-in
Considered the most advanced form of GPS trackers, plug-ins can be connected directly to the equipment’s engine to read critical engine data, including fault codes, hours, fuel use, and more. These trackers send location updates every two minutes when equipment is running and every 23 hours when it is not running, ensuring the location is continuously monitored.
How GPS Tracking Systems Shape the Construction Industry?
The construction industry can improve operational efficiency, increase safety for workers, and minimize costs using GPS tracking systems. With GPS tracking, construction managers can monitor real-time location and status of heavy equipment, vehicles, and machinery. This information helps them reduce equipment downtime, minimize idle time, and prevent unauthorized use of equipment.
For example, when a bulldozer has been in an idle state for a long time, GPS trackers can inform managers right away, allowing them to reassign it to a more urgent task.
Heavy equipment used within the construction industry is often at risk of getting stolen. With GPS tracking systems in place, construction companies can monitor equipment around the clock and receive instant alerts in case equipment is moved unexpectedly. This can help them recover the equipment immediately and avoid potential loss. For example, suppose a forklift is moved to an unidentified location during off-hours. In that case, the GPS tracker can alert the field managers, enabling them to take quick action and prevent potential theft.
Another way GPS tracking is transforming the construction industry is that it helps companies better plan their routes and reduces fuel-wasting activities like overspeeding, unnecessary driving, and idling.
Consequently, companies operating with a large fleet can save fuel costs significantly. For example, GPS trackers can help identify when a heavy bulldozer is sitting idle for a longer period, alerting construction managers to shut them down to save fuel.
Best Practices for Implementing GPS Tracking in the Construction Industry
Given the vast construction industry, it can be challenging to implement GPS tracking for construction companies. Having said that, companies can successfully implement GPS tracking by following the right steps. Let’s discuss these steps below:
- After conducting research, look for the most reliable GPS tracking software and ensure that it meets the construction company’s needs.
- Create a GPS tracking policy with defined objectives, goals, and processes for implementing GPS tracking across the construction company.
- Provide proper training and education sessions to construction workers to make sure they know how to use the GPS tracking technology.
- Discuss the major benefits of the GPS tracking systems to construction workers and resolve any issues that they may have.
- Inform construction employees about the GPS tracking solution they will be using and get written consent from them on being monitored
- Track and assess the GPS tracking software’s performance on a regular basis to make sure it meets the construction company’s goals, objectives, and standards.
It is important to keep your construction employees informed about GPS tracking software. They must be fully involved in adopting this technology so they can recognize the benefits it brings to the entire organization and all the parties involved. In such cases, they are less likely to oppose the idea of having GPS tracking technology.
Benefits of using GPS tracking for heavy equipment
The key benefits of using GPS tracking for heavy equipment are discussed as follows:
Remote construction site management
A robust GPS tracking system allows construction companies to remotely monitor equipment locations in real-time. For instance, if a bulldozer scheduled to be at the center of the site at noon is missing, you can use a GPS equipment tracker to locate it and instruct the workers to reposition it, reducing the need to be on the site to detect such issues.
Enhanced productivity
GPS tracking technology helps construction companies track their equipment and its usage, thus improving equipment safety and boosting productivity.
Asset maintenance efficiency
To ensure safety and maintain your equipment in good condition, you must use GPS tracking technology. The GPS tracker, connected to your asset’s diagnostics, offers accurate equipment condition reports and highlights errors through its telematic functioning. You can receive insights on fuel consumption, equipment idle times, and proposed preventive maintenance services, enabling timely repairs or servicing and boosting asset maintenance efficiency.
Enhanced safety
GPS trackers help monitor equipment to ensure it is used properly and within safety guidelines, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
Theft prevention
GPS tracking technology prevents theft and unauthorized use of equipment, protecting financial investments.
Efficient resource allocation
With GPS tracking devices, construction companies can allocate and schedule equipment efficiently, reducing idle times and boosting efficiency.
Real-time data access
GPS tracking for heavy equipment provides immediate insights into equipment performance, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs, facilitating better and informed management decisions.
Improved maintenance scheduling
GPS trackers facilitate timely maintenance based on actual equipment use, enhancing its lifespan, preventing breakdowns, and improving the maintenance scheduling process.
Drawbacks of using GPS tracking for heavy equipment
We already know that GPS tracking brings several benefits to construction companies. However, it is also important to consider its legal and ethical implications.
Below, let’s discuss some drawbacks of using GPS tracking for heavy equipment:
Protection of data
When GPS tracking systems are installed on heavy equipment, they record all sensitive and personal information. Therefore, it is important to protect data collected through these systems. The data should only be accessed and used for its intended purposes, which will prevent data breaches.
High investment costs
While installing GPS tracking in a construction company, one has to consider the high investment costs associated with it. Companies with large fleets can incur more significant installation costs for GPS tracking systems. They also need to consider the maintenance and subscription costs for GPS tracking software, which can add more to the total costs. Due to limited budgets, small-scale construction companies may not be able to consider implementing GPS tracking systems.
Privacy issues
It can be challenging to prevent privacy issues that may arise due to the use of GPS tracking. If construction workers are not given enough information about the GPS tracking systems and how they work, they can become concerned about being tracked and monitored. Some may even think of it as a violation of their privacy. Such situations may create mistrust and affect employee productivity and morale, causing employees to feel demotivated and eventually resign from their jobs.
Compliance with regulations
GPS tracking technology is not a relatively new technology anymore, as it has been around for quite some time. Therefore, this technology is regulated by general laws. Non-compliance with these laws can lead construction companies to lawsuits and fines. Therefore, failing to comply with the GPS tracking regulations and best practices in this field can lead to legal issues.
That said, most of these issues can be solved efficiently using the right approach. Construction companies can still benefit significantly from using GPS tracking technology the right way.
How do construction companies track heavy equipment using GPS trackers?
GPS tracking technology allows construction companies to track the real-time location and usage of heavy equipment, providing insights into equipment is being used.
GPS trackers can be discreetly connected to any equipment, regardless of size, transmitting data such as location, speed, and other relevant information to a cloud-based platform, like a CMMS system.
Real-time information helps companies obtain up-to-date data on equipment location, usage, and maintenance needs, enabling them to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and boost productivity.
Additionally, GPS tracking for construction equipment can help companies prevent theft by sending alerts in case any piece of equipment exits from a designated location or is operated beyond working hours.
Integrating CMMS with GPS tracking technology
Asset tracking is one of the key features offered by CMMS (computerized maintenance management software). Such software stores data related to equipment maintenance and integrates with GPS trackers on the assets. This integration automatically tracks equipment location and other metrics such as usage hours, temperature, fuel consumption, and more.
Using CMMS software for asset tracking compiles detailed asset maintenance records, offering quick access to their condition and status and supporting advanced monitoring capabilities. By integrating condition-monitoring sensors into your CMMS, real-time data about your most critical assets flows directly into the system, keeping you aware of their status.
Integrating CMMS systems like EZO CMMS with GPS tracking technology allows streamlined maintenance processes, reduced costs, increased operational efficiency, and extended equipment lifespan.
Using EZO CMMS to Enhance Construction Business
When EZO CMMS, the advanced CMMS system, integrates with GPS tracking technology, it helps improve your construction business. It provides real-time visibility into your heavy equipment’s status and location and simplifies asset management and maintenance operations.
GPS-enabled EZO CMMS can help you track the location, fuel consumption, usage hours, and operational metrics of your heavy equipment, allowing construction companies to manage their fleet and resources efficiently. With the help of real-time data collected from the GPS-enabled CMMS, companies can allocate their equipment efficiently, prevent delays in projects due to unavailable or lost equipment, and minimize costs associated with equipment being overused or misused.
Additionally, EZO CMMS, integrated with GPS tracking technology, leverages predictive and preventive maintenance by gathering insights on equipment condition and performance. With real-time monitoring, construction managers can schedule maintenance on equipment when needed, minimizing downtime and increasing the lifespan of equipment.
Features like meters help construction managers monitor factors like fuel levels and temperature, notifying them about potential issues before they become bigger ones. Following this proactive approach enables the companies to prevent equipment breakdowns, increase safety for construction workers on the site, and keep projects running without disruptions.
Combining EZO CMMS software capabilities with GPS tracking technology can help construction companies increase operational efficiency, decrease maintenance costs, and boost the overall industry, giving them a competitive advantage within the industry.
