Real-Time Visibility: How Wireless Tracking Improves Efficiency

Any delays, misplacements, or downtime can significantly impact project timelines and costs. This is where wireless tracking technology comes into play, offering real-time visibility into the location and status of valuable construction assets. This article will explore how wireless asset tracking can revolutionize project efficiency.

The Importance of Efficiency in Construction Projects

Efficiency is a cornerstone of success in construction projects for several reasons:

1. Cost Management: Construction projects often operate on tight budgets, and inefficiencies can lead to cost overruns. Efficient asset management reduces waste and unnecessary expenses.
2. Project Timelines: Delays can be costly and frustrating for ALL stakeholders. Efficient tracking and management of assets help ensure that projects stay on schedule.
3. Resource Allocation: Knowing the real-time status and location of assets and equipment allows for better resource allocation. You can avoid over- or under-utilizing equipment and materials.
4. Safety: Efficient asset management also contributes to a safer work environment. Well-maintained and adequately tracked equipment is less likely to pose safety hazards.

Challenges in Traditional Asset Tracking

Before we delve into the benefits of wireless tracking, it's essential to understand the challenges associated with traditional asset-tracking methods commonly used in the construction industry:

1. Manual Processes: Many construction companies still rely on manual, paper-based tracking methods. These are time-consuming, error-prone, and offer limited visibility to all stakeholders.
2. Inaccurate Data: With real-time data, it's easier to get an accurate picture of asset utilization, maintenance needs, and availability.
3. Loss and Theft: Construction sites and some warehouses are vulnerable to theft and misplacement of equipment and materials, which can result in substantial losses.
4. Maintenance Downtime: Lack of real-time information often leads to unexpected maintenance downtime, or broken equipment being sent to the field impacting project schedules.

The Solution: Wireless Tracking Technology

Wireless tracking technology solves these challenges by providing real-time visibility and control over construction assets no matter where they are located. Here's how it improves project efficiency:

Real-time Location Tracking
Wireless tracking systems, such as GPS and RFID, provide precise, real-time location information for all construction assets. This visibility allows project and asset managers to track the movement of equipment and materials, ensuring they are always where they need to be.

Theft and Loss Prevention
Theft and loss of construction assets are common challenges. Wireless tracking systems provide security through geofencing and alerts. If an asset leaves a designated area without authorization, the system triggers an alert, helping to prevent theft and recover lost items.

Asset Utilization Optimization
Construction companies can optimize asset utilization with real-time data on asset location and availability. Equipment can be assigned to multiple projects or shifted to areas where needed most, reducing downtime, and saving costs.

Preventative Maintenance
Wireless tracking systems can monitor the health and usage of construction equipment. By collecting data on equipment performance, maintenance needs, and operating conditions, companies can schedule preventative maintenance to avoid unexpected breakdowns and downtime.

Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management is crucial in construction projects. Wireless tracking systems automate inventory tracking, reducing the risk of running out or overstocking materials. This ensures materials are readily available when needed, reducing project delays.

Case Study: Their Big Expense is Tools, That's Why Millwork Pioneers Uses DEWALT Tool Connect™ Site Manager.

To illustrate the real-world impact of wireless tracking on construction efficiency, let's look at a case study of Millwork Pioneers, a leading millwork and casework installation-only company that implemented DEWALT Tool Connect™ Site Manager.

Millwork faced asset utilization and tracking challenges, leading to delays and increased costs. They invested in a comprehensive wireless tracking solution that included GPS tracking for equipment and RFID tags for materials.

The results were impressive:

1. Improved Inventory Management: Asset tracking enables the warehouse to keep track of inventory levels and usage in real-time, which helps ensure that materials and equipment are available in real-time and reduces the risk of stockouts.
2. Increased Efficiency: By tracking the location and usage of assets, the warehouse can optimize the organization of materials and equipment, reducing time spent searching for items and improving overall efficiency of assets they invest heavily on.
3. Enhanced Security: Web-based asset tracking helps prevent the loss or theft of materials and equipment by providing real-time monitoring and tracking of the equipment and assets. If a valuable asset ever leaves a designated area, the crib manager can be notified immediately and take corrective action.
4. Better Maintenance Scheduling: Warehouse managers can easily keep track of maintenance schedules for materials and equipment, ensuring that they are adequately maintained to prevent failures and in good working condition. This ensures no delays will take place due to faulty equipment, a common problem in the industry.
5. Reduced Downtime: By tracking the location and usage of assets, the warehouse manager can optimize the allocation of resources and reduce downtime, leading to increased field productivity and project profitability. This also allows workers to focus on their most important tasks.
6. Improved Compliance: In states where compliance matters, web-based asset tracking software can help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, such as safety regulations and environmental standards.
7. Increased Accountability: Web-based asset tracking software provides warehouse managers with a clear record of who is responsible for each asset. This helps promote accountability and reduce the risk of theft or mismanagement.

I would tell every tool company they should have DEWALT Site Manager because it's not just DEWALT products. It makes it easy to add other brand assets to be able to track 100% of your Inventory. Stephanie Clark, 
Office Manager at Millwork Pioneers.

The ROI is in cost savings and efficiency gains.

Having DEWALT Site Manager helps companies like Millwork Pioneers manage a consistent process for asset and inventory management. "In our line of business, we have staff turnover based on size and scope of projects that are continually in the process, making inventory tracking much more important and manageable," Stephanie said. She said, "The entire lifecycle of important tools and materials is managed and helps our team be successful, and we've reduced theft and lost tools since Site Manager has been in use."     

DEWALT Site Manager allows Millwork Pioneers to manage projects, assets, and teams from a single platform. Here are some devices that their team utilizes:

• The office's desktop/laptop computer is accessed with an internet connection and is compatible with all major browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
• Project Managers use tablets to manage projects and teams from anywhere, even on the go.
• Field staff also use smartphones with the mobile app downloaded on iOS and Android smartphones.  
• DEWALT Jobsite Wi-Fi Access Point can also be accessed through the DEWALT Jobsite Wi-Fi Access Point to provide high-speed internet connectivity on construction sites, enabling field workers to access the platform.
• Wireless Sensors are easily affixed to equipment and assets to always know where they are located – on jobsites, in transport or the warehouse. 

Conclusion

Wireless tracking technology has emerged as a game-changer in the construction industry, where every minute and every resource counts. It offers real-time visibility into asset location, utilization, and health, helping construction companies streamline operations, reduce costs, and stay on schedule. Wireless tracking will play an increasingly vital role in improving construction project efficiency as technology advances. Embracing this technology is not just an option but necessary for construction firms looking to thrive in an ever-competitive industry.