Telematics
In decades past, it could be extremely tricky to track the location of each piece of equipment in a big fleet and time-consuming to record equipment performance data. Once performance data was collected, it would have to be analyzed, probably by someone working with a slide-rule, to create useful insights and reports.
Today, these tasks can be performed seamlessly and quickly using telematics—the name given to the location and data gathering telecommunication systems that are gaining popularity in construction circles.
Using sensors, the Internet, on-board diagnostics, GPS (Global Positioning System) and machine-to-machine communication (M2M) technology, telematics monitor and transmit equipment performance and location data. Information is wirelessly conveyed to computers, laptops, and smartphones. Once performance data has been received, it can be compiled and analyzed using special software to create detailed reports.
KubotaNOW Telematics is Kubota’s contribution to this high-tech field. A cutting-edge offering, KubotaNOW works in conjunction with the My Kubota app or Cellutrak or ZTR software. The My Kubota app can be installed on an Android or iOS device.
KubotaNOW benefits include:
- Continuous monitoring of equipment performance including fuel and battery levels, and hours of use. This readily available data offers a precise picture of worksite conditions and equipment productivity and enhances predictive maintenance. Reports can be generated to indicate how your equipment is performing on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
- Reduced risk of theft. Missing or stolen equipment can be tracked down using the onboard GPS. You can set up a geofence around your equipment (if the machine passes through a predetermined electronic border, an alarm is triggered) or even remotely disable the engine of any equipment that goes astray, further deterring thievery.
- Automatic alerts about equipment performance. If the system notices something awry, you will receive an email alert, allowing you to proactively address the issue before a major problem develops.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of KubotaNOW Telematics is that it gives you a “bird’s eye view” of where your equipment is at and what it’s doing. Having such a broad perspective lets you optimize use of your fleet and get a better sense of what equipment requires repair. Performance data gleaned by KubotaNOW Telematics can guide future equipment purchases and influence decisions about whether to switch to a hybrid or electric model.
At present, Kubota has fitted the SVL97-2 compact track loader with KubotaNOW.
Given its obvious benefits, expect to see a broader utilization of KubotaNOW Telematics in the Kubota construction equipment fleet soon.
Click here for more information about Kubota telematics.