Leveraging Data to Provide Value Beyond the Forklift

Leveraging Data to Provide Value Beyond the Forklift

By Maria Schwieterman, Marketing Product Manager, Crown Equipment

Amid a period of time when organizations are looking to do more with less investment, it’s more important than ever that fleet managers leverage the data available about the operation of their forklifts. There is a wealth of information being generated at the forklift level; and this data is driving the evolution of forklift “fleet management” beyond simply tracking assets.

Most managers understand access to accurate, real-time information is necessary to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. Yet most have been forced to make do with the data they have: randomly collected and disparate—often stashed in binders and reports— that never give meaningful views of the current situation. But that is changing.

The material handling industry has seen the introduction of new data management tools that can assist those tasked with managing a forklift fleet by enabling them to gather and organize data about their forklift, operator, application, service and fleet. These data management tools can provide data for key areas of performance where fleet managers can save time and money by turning data into organized, prioritized, and actionable information that flags problems and opportunities as they occur and drives better business decisions.

Ensure OSHA compliance and improve safety

Fleet managers can dramatically improve safety compliance and ensure safe forklift operation by preventing unauthorized access to equipment. They can also track the operator training certification and send notification of upcoming training needs.  Electronic equipment inspection checklists ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and can be customized to encourage full equipment review by the operator. If any truck fails inspection, automatic notification can be sent to management or the service department. Fleet managers can even lock-out the truck if the failed item is a safety concern.

Encourage operator responsibility and reduce damage

Forklift impacts can be quite costly in downtime and damage to product, trucks and racking. Accurate and reliable impact detection provides the data needed for managers to take action and begin reducing these expenses. Fleet managers can produce detailed reports of total number of impacts by operator, which would show all impacts for a given time, how and when they occurred and any comments made by the floor supervisors at each incident. With accurate impact detection, fleet managers do not have to worry about being inundated with nuisance alarms every time an operator runs over a dock plate. 

Optimize fleet size and allocation

Fleet managers can more effectively utilize equipment by using data to track their trucks, specifically those in operation, sitting idle or logged off the system. This allows them to save money on unneeded rentals and leases. Managers can log actual truck hour meters and report login, idle and travel times; document simultaneous equipment log-on to gauge usage; and even view real-time status of the equipment.

Drive increased operator efficiencies

Fleet managers can improve operator productivity by measuring operator output and performance by tracking login, idle and travel times, as well as impacts. They can see how effectively operators complete inspection checklists and easily keep track of which operators are certified on each truck and when that certification expires.

More data often means more time spent by managers trying to decipher it. Today’s data management tools can save managers time and lead them directly to real savings opportunities. With indicators that can prompt you when current performance does not meet established goals, managers know exactly what areas require their immediate attention. Real-time reports can be accessed anywhere, anytime through web-based applications. Graphs, charts and summarized reports have replaced the reports of the past that took reams of paper and printed only periodically. 

The most advanced – and ultimately successful – organizations will be those that integrate this data into broader categories at the fleet and facilities levels to gain a comprehensive look at movements throughout the supply chain. Equipped with this information, plans for continuous improvement can be more focused, adjustments to meet seasonal demand more seamless, and overall supply chain competitiveness improved.

About the Author:

Maria Schwieterman is a marketing product manager with Crown Equipment. The company recently introduced Crown InfoLink 2.5, the latest version of its forklift fleet management system that allows managers to organize, prioritize and manage the wealth of information being generated at the truck level to improve the productivity and efficiency of their fleet.