The Internet of Things in the Construction World

How the IoT and Telematics Are Changing Jobsites

Construction telematics is changing how contractors get work done across the country. This article will explore IoT tech and onboard diagnostics in construction equipment to explain how.

It has taken some time, but the adoption of telematics systems in the construction world is moving on full steam ahead. There are now millions of active systems around the globe, and most modern equipment comes with the components required to interact with the Internet of Things.

Telematics systems help contractors get their work done more effectively and efficiently. The question is, how do they do it? Let’s look at telematics systems and how they operate to help contractors cut costs and perform better work.

What Is Telematics in Construction?

Your Kubota dealer probably isn’t using the word telematics to describe the systems driving the newest equipment. However, that doesn’t mean the brand-new excavator you buy won’t rely on this modern solution.

Telematics refers to the use of the Internet of Things and onboard diagnostics to improve the efficiency and efficacy of equipment. Telematics systems allow all the machines, vehicles, and tools on-site to share information, improving efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

The information from all those interconnected machines gets routed to a user interface, where contractors can easily keep track of various data and information.

These days, most new construction equipment is IoT compatible, meaning it can be connected to a telematics system. New machines use sensors and tracking devices to collect up-to-date information about their locations, fuel levels, engine performance, and more.

How Telematics Is Changing Construction

Telematics systems come with numerous benefits. The most obvious is that they make tracking assets and managing fleet vehicles simple thanks to GPS trackers and sensors designed to check performance levels, but those are just the tip of the iceberg.

Telematics makes it easy to track what’s happening with the construction site’s equipment, allowing contractors to identify areas of inefficiency, such as equipment under or overuse.

Contractors also have an easier time identifying potential issues with their machines and providing them with adequate preventative maintenance thanks to these systems’ ability to monitor equipment health and performance via engine diagnostics and equipment operation data.

Proactive maintenance strategies using telematics make machines less likely to break down unexpectedly. This change means less money spent on unexpected repairs and greater safety for all the workers who use the machines.

How to Implement a Telematics System

Most of the machines at the Kubota dealer are already equipped with the sensors and tracking devices required to hook them up to an advanced telematics system. Contractors simply need to choose a software product to keep track of everything.

The best software systems feature unified dashboards with customizable features. Most are cloud-based, which allows users to view information from anywhere with an Internet connection, including mobile phones.

When in doubt about how to get started implementing a telematics system on construction sites, ask the equipment manufacturer or dealership for advice.