Leverage IoT to connect crane operators with back-office operations

Innovation for crane rental companies: How mobility, IoT, and ERP can connect crane operators with the people in-charge of planning

Crane rental projects do not have room or time for error. You are allocating high-value equipment and resources. Especially when your company is providing machinery, resources, and services for an industrial project. Even a simple miscommunication can impact tight profit margins and customer satisfaction.

If you are in the crane industry, you know how much effort goes into coordinating daily operations. Of course, you want your company take full advantage of flawless, real-time data gathered from mobile apps and IoT devices. So then it is even more important you recognize that investment in the right equipment rental and services software is a necessity. You can create a truly complete ERP system that connects all stakeholders and fuels successful crane rental projects. What you need is IoT that will enable you to pinpoint the movement and the precise location of the crane. Having this information will allow you to plan your transport and logistics better. It can also help you identify usage in excess of your agreed upon terms.

Mobile time registration

Crane operators need to navigate mounds of paperwork to register and send hours through appropriate channels. A role-based mobile app that’s an extension of your rental solution, fully integrated with ERP, can take away all the pain, when used efficiently. The operator follows a simple workflow and all information is captured, routed to the customer for approval. In addition it is sent directly to the back office. Built-in action management enables “management by exception.” You can configure workflow so that issues with time registration or customer approval automatically follow different steps and ensure quick response.

Image 1: Mobile field service

Mobility, IoT, and ERP drives 360 insight into jobs

Both planners and crane operators need full information about daily, sometimes hourly, equipment and environmental conditions. The Internet of Things has made it possible to collect that information in real-time. IoT sensors can hook into your rental solution. The data from IoT devices can provide information on factors like movement from one site to another without proper authorization. It can even transmit issues so that back-office planners can respond quickly and effectively to reschedule the job. Consequently everything works better. There’s minimal lost time and cost and sharp risk reduction.

Unpacking the IoT black box to improve performance, maintenance, and planning     

IoT devices on cranes can help you improve your logistics and planning and improve your revenue. Your solution can help in the following ways:

• Provide inputs on the exact location of the crane which can help refine your transportation and logistics planning
• Movement of the asset to unplanned sites can indicate usage beyond the accepted terms of your agreement. The system can assimilate this information and bill accordingly
• Measurement of driving behavior, so that planners can analyze how operators are working with cranes and see areas for improving or optimizing performance.

Curious about how our DynaRent Solution Suite can help with your crane rental business? Download the factsheet below.