Having access to high-quality forklifts and other equipment is crucial in any material handling operation. It’s also important to understand how to get the most out of your machines and maximize their performance and value. It’s essential to embrace the most advanced fleet management technologies and apply them effectively in your unique work environment.
Save Time and Money With Fleet Management Services From Barclay
Your company’s productivity relies on a forklift fleet that operates at maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, effective fleet utilization involves overseeing several wide-ranging factors, and it’s easy for important information to fall through the cracks.
Many supply chain and logistics companies are turning to the ease and convenience of outsourced fleet management. Barclay offers customers in central and northern NJ a first-class program that simplifies fleet management while reducing the bottom line up to 25 percent.
Better Fleet Utilization Through Technology
Technology has revolutionized fleet management systems. In the past, data such as contract costs, maintenance schedules and usage tracking had to be gathered, updated and monitored manually.
Today, telemetry lets machines and managers communicate electronically in real time. An unprecedented amount of data is available at your fingertips instantly via desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone for constant connectivity.
A fleet telematics system (FTS) facilitates the exchange of this information between your machines in the field and your central fleet operations personnel. Telematics relies on global positioning system (GPS) technology to provide insight into a forklift’s location, speed and movement. Sensors capture the data related to operator activity, such as hard braking, rapid acceleration, erratic cornering and various in-vehicle activities.
Fleet management software enables the visualization and interpretation of the accumulated data. Fleet managers can use the information to make educated decisions in crucial areas like equipment maintenance, operator performance and the best times for machine replacements.
What Are the Benefits of Fleet Telematics?
Telemetry offers numerous fleet management benefits.
Lower Fuel Costs
The escalating cost of forklift fuel sources like diesel, gasoline and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) can be prohibitive for many companies. Telematics can help offset some of these expenses by enabling fleet managers to identify instances of excessive fuel use and minimize bottlenecks. It can also allow for the monitoring of battery charge levels for electrically powered vehicles.
More Cost-Effective Fleet Management Practices
Telematics can alert fleet managers and maintenance personnel to mechanical issues and allow them to correct the problem in the early stages. The result is reduced equipment downtime and lower repair costs. Telematics also makes it easier to schedule preventive maintenance to avoid taking forklifts out of service during peak production periods.
Improved Communication
Telematics helps to automate much of the fleet management process. Since the FTS automates gathering essential machine data, forklift operators can check in less frequently, which simplifies communication. Productivity will also increase as operators can spend less time reporting to fleet managers. Instead, they can devote more of their efforts to completing their material handling tasks.
Increased Safety
Telematics enables fleet management personnel to monitor equipment conditions and operator behaviors more effectively. They’ll be able to identify and address unsafe practices and maintenance issues sooner. This approach can help prevent workplace accidents that lead to injuries and lost labor hours.
Opportunity for Process Improvements
Implementing telematics can identify areas within the material handling operation that need upgrading. For instance, if the data shows issues with operator behaviors, the company can institute appropriate training to correct the problem. Fleet managers can also target maintenance practices and improve them to minimize unproductive equipment breakdowns.
Equipment Optimization
A telematics system enables fleet managers to make better decisions throughout a forklift’s life span. The data can help determine when it’s time to replace, retain, relocate or retire a piece of equipment by tracking its utilization rate based on operating hours. It will be easier to identify that a machine is overworked or underutilized and make the necessary adjustments.
Presenting Yale Vision – Optimize Your Fleet Wirelessly
Barclay proudly utilizes the Yale Vision wireless asset management system. True to its name, Yale Vision allows you to see all the information you need through customized dashboards that handle data analysis and provide concise, interactive reports.
With three different levels, Yale Vision is scalable to accommodate the needs of any operation, regardless of size.
- Level 1 is a wireless monitoring package that tracks key performance indicator data, records and responds to fault codes, senses and reports impacts and creates a preventive maintenance program.
- Level 2 builds on Level 1 with the addition of a proximity card reader that connects monitoring to a specific operator. This improves safety by preventing unauthorized access and enabling automatic shutdown.
- Level 3 combines the first two levels with the ability to perform mandatory OSHA checklists electronically.
Wireless asset management can reduce operational maintenance costs by up to 30 percent and increase fleet utilization by up to 80 percent. Can you afford to pass up those benefits?
Our professional fleet service team is ready to help your central and northern NJ business start maximizing returns while minimizing costs. Contact Barclay to schedule an appointment for a friendly member of our team to provide a demonstration of Yale Vision in action.
