INTRO
Efficient management of construction tools and equipment is essential to ensure projects run smoothly. By utilising existing infrastructure - such as machinery equipped with Teltonika GPS devices or workers' smartphones - companies can manage their tools more effectively without significant extra investment. This approach can improve operational efficiency by ensuring that the right equipment is on-site when and where it is needed.
CHALLENGE
In the construction industry, it is critical to know where tools are at all times - whether on-site, in a warehouse, or in transit between locations. Missing or misplaced tools and equipment, which account for up to 30%, can delay projects, lead to underutilisation of assets, and cause operational inefficiencies. It's no surprise that tools often spend up to 70% of their time unused. For project managers, trying to keep track of the tools and equipment they need without real-time visibility can lead to oversights that disrupt workflows and increase costs.
Ineffective tracking processes also waste a significant amount of time for managers and logistics teams as they struggle to locate tools and ensure everything is where it needs to be. These inefficiencies contribute to a staggering $40 billion in time waste annually in the United States alone, with other countries showing similar trends. This lack of visibility creates stress for both management and labourers, who rely on knowing the exact location of assets to keep projects moving smoothly. Additionally, field workers often spend time on tasks such as manually sending equipment locations, taking them away from their core responsibilities.
These combined challenges not only reduce efficiency but also contribute to costly project delays, on-site frustration, and significant financial losses. A better solution is needed - one that improves the situation without requiring large investments.
SOLUTION
Teltonika EYE Beacons and EYE Sensors provide an effective solution for tracking tools and equipment on construction sites. These compact devices emit Bluetooth® signals that are detected by existing nearby gateways, such as Teltonika GPS trackers installed in on-site machinery or workers’ smartphones with clients’ mobile applications. The data is seamlessly transmitted to a central system, ensuring real-time visibility of tools and equipment across all locations.
This monitoring significantly reduces the time wasted searching for misplaced items, such as plate compactors, floor saws, articulated wheel dumpers, toolboxes, generators, etc. Administrative staff, depot managers, and field workers can now rely on automated systems to track assets, eliminating the need for manual updates and time-consuming checks.
The optimised inventory management that Teltonika’s beacons and sensors enable helps companies maintain optimal tool levels, ensuring that equipment is always where it needs to be and when it needs to be there. This effectively reduces downtime on job sites and speeds up project completion.
Moreover, real-time tracking considerably reduces the need for expensive equipment rental and replacement, resulting in significant cost savings. Knowing where each tool is at all times helps avoid unnecessary purchases and ensures better utilisation of existing inventory and budget.
EYE beacons and sensors are built to withstand the rigours of the construction environment, offering IP67-rated protection against dust and water, making them suitable for tough conditions. Their long battery life and convenient, easy-to-mount casing design ensure that once installed, these devices require no maintenance, making them even more cost-effective.
Instant configuration and endless scalability
Additionally, Teltonika trackers can be swiftly configured to scan EYE devices using the 'Filtering by Name' feature, enabling you to set up 1,000 EYE Beacons or EYE Sensors as quickly as one. By personalising sensor names using the 'Configuration in Manufacturing' service, a single entry in the tracker will automatically scan all current and future tools with that name.
While each GPS tracker can scan up to 100 EYE devices simultaneously, its true strength lies in its scalability. As machinery and tools move around the site, it can continuously scan an unlimited number of Teltonika EYE models, ensuring complete coverage. Please ensure that the tracker you are using has a firmware version of 03.29 or higher to use these features.
Finally, Teltonika EYE Sensor model now offers the Movement Timer feature that tracks the time a tool is actively moving, pausing when the tool stops and resuming when it starts moving again. This provides accurate usage data that can be used for accurate customer billing, especially for equipment rental, as well as scheduling maintenance based on actual usage. Please note that evaluation firmware may be required for this functionality to work as intended.
By implementing the tool and equipment tracking solution, companies can eliminate potential inefficiencies and optimise their operations, resulting in significant savings and improved productivity at all levels of the business.
TOPOLOGY WITH APP
TOPOLOGY WITH TRACKER
BENEFITS
- Prevents project delays - real-time tracking ensures that all necessary tools and equipment are on-site and available, reducing delays caused by missing equipment.
- Saves workers' time - automated tracking significantly cuts the time spent searching for tools, allowing workers to focus on their core tasks.
- Reduces equipment costs - effective tracking minimises unnecessary rentals and purchases by ensuring better use of existing inventory.
- Improves operational efficiency - optimised tool utilisation leads to smoother operations and fewer disruptions on the job site.
- Seamless integration - the solution works with existing Teltonika GPS trackers and smartphones, making it easy to implement without significant additional investment.
- Reliable and durable - IP67-rated Teltonika beacons with long battery life provide a low-maintenance tracking solution perfect for construction environments.
- Stress reduction for management - accurate location tracking eliminates uncertainty and reduces stress for managers overseeing project resources.
SUCCESS STORY
An innovative construction company in Switzerland was facing high costs for equipment rental and replacement, as well as significant time wasted searching for tools and machinery on project sites. To address these inefficiencies, the company implemented the tool tracking solution across its 200-piece equipment fleet. This change resulted in an estimated annual saving of 114,000 Swiss francs (about 120,000 Euros) by reducing equipment purchase and rental costs.
Beyond the direct financial benefits, the company saved 100 to 120 hours per week for its administrative staff, depot managers, and workers. By eliminating the time wasted searching for equipment, the management could streamline its operations and focus more on its core business, improving both efficiency and profitability. Read more about this case here.
WHY TELTONIKA?
Teltonika is a leader in providing practical IoT solutions tailored to the needs of various industries, including construction. Popular EYE Beacon and EYE Sensor models demonstrate Teltonika’s commitment to developing robust, cost-effective tracking devices that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows. With long battery life, a durable casing design, and global support, Teltonika offers construction companies the tools they need to optimise logistics and keep their projects on track, ensuring that assets are in the right place at the right time.
