Simplify Your Life By Choosing the Right Forklift Fleet Management System
Whether you have a small fleet of five forklifts in one facility or an army of forklifts spread out over multiple locations, a forklift fleet management system can make your operation more efficient and cost-effective. By diligently recording forklift data, setting up the proper notifications, and then acting upon those notifications, your forklift fleet can offer you peak efficiency, lower operating costs, and fewer headaches.
Benefits of a Fleet Management System
- Improved Efficiency – a fleet management system can track usage patterns that can result in better utilization of equipment.
- Cost Reduction – A fleet monitoring system monitors fuel and power consumption, maintenance and service schedules, and usage patterns, leading to increased uptime and improved productivity.
- Enhanced Safety – By monitoring forklift operator performance, you can identify unsafe operation and take corrective action.
- Asset Tracking – You always know the exact location and level of utilization of all your equipment.
- Maintenance Planning – By monitoring all forklift operating parameters, a fleet management system allows you to perform regular maintenance as needed, rather than on a pre-set schedule. This provides less downtime over the lifespan of your fleet.
- Compliance – Inspections and other compliance requirements can be programmed into your fleet management system.
But which forklift management system should you buy? Let’s look at the options.
Decisions
You might be managing your forklift fleet on paper by having operators manually enter data onto sheets and then, on a fixed schedule reviewing the data for decision points. For example, when a truck’s service hours exceed a certain specified number or when maintenance costs get too high. You may even have some data on a computer and some on paper.
This is the inefficient way to do it. So, what’s next?
Use Technology
With today’s ability to electronically monitor forklift operating parameters and so many wireless communications tools available, a technology-based forklift fleet management system is the way to go. Operators can enter pre-shift inspection data into wireless onboard data consoles or smartphones. Battery, fuel, engine and hydraulic data can be continually monitored and transmitted to a central location. Forklift crashes, speeding or other operating incidents can be logged. Maintenance time-outs and costs can be recorded. Data communications systems like Bluetooth, wi-fi, cellular, internet and GPS can all be incorporated into your system to make data transfer seamless.
Take Time to Plan
When thinking about a fleet management system, be forward-thinking. What will my needs be five years down the road? Investment in a fleet management system can be substantial, and you’ll want to settle on one that can be used well into the future. Empower those using the system to weigh in on what data should be collected and managed. Ensure that all participants are clear on the reason for implementing the fleet management system–it’s not to micromanage forklift operators but to improve the efficiency of the entire fleet. Operators may find they’re getting sleek new forklifts more frequently.
Decide How Big To Go
Fleet Management Software can be set up to collect, manage, and send alerts on various forklift data. Too much information can be inefficient if no one acts on the collected data. Knowing how much information you need is key to designing a system that best fits your needs. Some systems can track leased and rented vehicles and those owned by your company. You may already have a good scheduled maintenance system you don’t want to mess with. You can integrate a labor management system that records your forklift drivers’ operating ability and training and maps their progress to assess when they are ready for more challenging or higher-responsibility assignments. The best thing, naturally, is to buy a fleet management program that integrates all existing information management systems into one that can provide alerts for all kinds of forklift exceptions. In the long run, that’s usually the most efficient way to go.
DIY or Outsource?
A major decision will be who will design and manage the system. If you have the in-house IT and supervisory staff to work with warehouse, construction or forklift fleet managers, you can create and operate the system on your own. If you work with a full-service, integrated material handling supplier, they may have the capability to offer you the design and management of your fleet management system as well as the maintenance service, spare parts, operator training and replacement forklifts your operation requires.
Act On the Data
A management and alert system only works if you act on the data it provides. If you’ve designed the system properly, you should take a forklift out of service when its maintenance costs get too high. If a forklift battery starts losing power halfway through a shift, it’s time to replace it. If you have an operator with an outstanding number of collision incidents, it may be time for additional training. But you have to trust the data.
Commit to a Regular Review
Once the system is up and running, decide on a time interval–like six months or a year–to look at how the system is working and decide if tweaks need to be made. Remember, this system should be designed to work for you and make your operation more efficient.
Talk to the Experts
Your material handling representative at Apex Companies can help you review your forklift fleet operation and recommend the best management program for your company, whether it has one facility or a number of warehouses. Apex is your go-to material handling specialist in the Chicagoland area.