Telematics firm CELtrak has launched Plant EYE.
Plant EYE is a wirelessly connected anti-theft and tracking device developed specifically for plant equipment. Applications include construction, retail, transport and fleet management.
The product makers describe Plant EYE as a weather-proof, covertly fitted device that uses GPS (Global Positioning System) and wireless technology to deliver 24/7 information on the whereabouts of working and idle vehicles – from excavators to generators – via the internet. This enables site managers and hire companies to be immediately alerted to any illegal movement of equipment, the manufacturers add.
Data from each Plant EYE device is fed into a central server and can be viewed or downloaded via the internet from any location by users with a designated ID and password. By providing a snapshot of the precise location of plant equipment at any time, firms are not only protecting their assets, but also always have an up-to-date inventory, it is claimed. As such, companies can make decisions quicker when they get new assignments by being able to match the nearest available plant to the job. The company quotes estimates that plant theft and vandalism is costing the construction industry £400m annually, with 24,000 items stolen every year.
What they say
"The increasing financial burden on businesses and resulting delays to building projects has made real-time security of plant a critical issue for the construction industry," said Oliver Heaney, Business Development Manager of CELtrak and responsible for heading up the UK operation.
In line with plant maintenance and equipment warranties, CELtrak devices can also monitor and report how long equipment has been running, and whether or not it has just been idling, and sends alerts when equipment needs servicing.
"Ultimately, construction site equipment that is stolen, broken, lost or fraudulently used reduces productivity – CELtrak’s Plant EYE prevents this. Plant EYE not only monitors where equipment is, but also monitors equipment lifecycle, alerting firms to the maintenance requirements of machinery before it breaks down."
Other telematics devices by CELtrak include: Fleetwatch for the transport and fleet management industry; Traksure for safety device targeting young motorists; Trac-King, a global monitoring system for fleet operators of temperature controlled vehicles, developed with Thermo King; and Autowatch, an anti-theft device for private, fleet and industrial vehicles.
