Trackunit & Cisco join forces to minimise downtime in construction

Trackunit has partnered with Cisco to offer a service aimed at reducing unplanned downtime in the global construction industry through an integrated hardware, fleet management software, and telematics solution.

Unplanned downtime is a significant challenge in construction, negatively impacting project timelines and profitability. This issue is particularly prevalent when dealing with large, complex machinery. A crucial factor in technology acceptance within the construction industry is its ability to minimise downtime.

Trackunit's solution, in collaboration with Cisco, addresses this issue by connecting construction assets worldwide, gathering machine-specific telematics data in real time.

This data includes information such as location, fuel level, hours of operation, engine temperature, and tyre pressure, among others. The integration aims to aid operators by automating and streamlining the data collection process.

The system utilises Cisco IoT Control Center to provide automation, analytics, and proactive alerts, helping to identify potential problems before they cause downtime. Trackunit devices connect to global LTE-M networks, utilising KPN IoT's non-steered SIM cards, with capabilities for 3G, 4G, and eventually 5G connectivity.

Daniel Conradsen from Trackunit stated, "Globally connected solutions are like chains with many links, and they are only as reliable as the weakest link. There are several interconnections between our solution, KPN IoT's global solution, and Cisco's IoT platform. The ability to automate all of them is highly valuable to us and our customers."

Trackunit reported financial benefits for construction companies that connect their fleets. Companies with at least half of their fleet connected tend to financially outperform those without by 23 percent. This benefit increases to 51 percent for companies that connect three-quarters or more of their fleet.

Trackunit's customer base has grown rapidly, with over 2.5 million machines and construction assets connected to their solution. According to Daniel Conradsen, the IoT Operations Team Lead, "We would not be able to meet such a high customer demand without automated connectivity and zero-touch processing. KPN IoT has stripped away complexity and simplified everything for us and our customers."

A single rate for cellular connectivity and data consumption with 95 percent global coverage has been a key feature in facilitating this service. "We support thousands of connectivity and data patterns around the world. Having a single rate plan and one invoice for all of them is super useful," Conradsen added.

In light of increasing regulatory requirements, Trackunit has enhanced its data collection capabilities to assist customers with compliance and reporting, particularly concerning Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) CO2 emissions. A survey sponsored by Trackunit indicated that sustainability is an important or very important issue for 49 percent of respondents, especially among companies with revenues exceeding EUR 50 million.

"Through our devices and systems, Trackunit is able to track information related to emissions and safety, which is becoming increasingly critical for customers," said Conradsen. "The system utilises the Cisco IoT Control Center which is an excellent data and connectivity management platform. It just works."

Trackunit has dedicated a significant portion of its spending towards research and development, aiming to provide users with data-led insights to make better decisions, enhance sustainability, reduce risk, and unlock efficiencies.

Trackunit's current trajectory marks a departure from its situation a decade ago, before establishing reliable technology partnerships. "We have never been more satisfied with our connectivity or the underlying IoT platform," Conradsen expressed. "The collaboration with KPN IoT and Cisco has been fantastic, transparent and open. We work together to support our customers, and there are no weak links in the chain."

Connected equipment and systems allow for reduced vehicle and operator downtime, enabling fault detection and preventive maintenance checks. This connectivity facilitates scheduling and component replacement, ensuring minimal disruption to work processes.