Better Data Adds Up to Better Forklift Utilization

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service 405 As more data is gathered on forklift performance and operation, companies can expect to see fleet maintenance benefits. As most supply chain executives and warehouse managers know too well, the supply chain—and the warehouse—is awash in data. Not all of it is solely focused on tracking product movement. Warehouse and forklift connectivity is generating data on worker performance, forklift utilization, and the health and status of vital equipment. Companies are investing money and resources to obtain and analyze the data to figure out how best to use it to further increase productivity, lower costs and enhance safety. One area where greater connectivity is poised to deliver value is forklift fleet service and maintenance. Already, connected service technicians, armed with new technology and increased connectivity, are helping make forklift service calls smarter and more proactive. As more data is gathered on forklift performance and operation, supply chain managers can expect service techs to arrive on-site already understanding the issue and having the right parts to make the repair. When needed, connected tools, such as mobile tablets or augmented reality wearables, will assist the technician and even walk them through the steps to fix an issue. In addition, the maintenance data from the service call will be uploaded to the service cloud, giving the fleet manager complete visibility to the maintenance issue and repair and further strengthening the service data pool. As service providers work closely with customers to create a connected service experience, warehouse and supply chain executives are poised to realize a number of important forklift fleet maintenance benefits. Reduced Downtime Forklifts are one of the workhorses of the supply chain. When forklifts are not running, products are not moving. A connected service experience will enable facility managers and executives to reduce unplanned downtime and the mean […]