CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOV 2018

MOBILE CRANES

Liebherr can supply an electronic interface for telemetry data on its LTM 1250-5.1 crane.

Gaining a lifting competitive edge There is a gradual uptake of telemetry technology in the global crane market compared with other capital equipment users. Considering the array of benefits the global positioning system-based technology offers, are crane users missing out on a potential competitive adavantage? By Munesu Shok o.

T elematics is a word that has grown in popularity over time and one of its core functions is to record information about vehicles or machinery and send, receive, process and store the data via telecommunications devices. Practical applications where telematics can help improve the efficiency of a fleet include monitoring the location, movements, status and behaviour of the vehicle via an on-board computer and monitoring the driver through in-cab video systems. Grant Fraser, commercial director at MiX Telematics (Africa), is of the view

that, with data being the new currency for businesses, telematics and the real- time usage of data is quickly moving from being optional to a requirement and will soon become an invaluable part of a business’ operations in order to gain a competitive edge and remain one step ahead in tough economic times. “While telematics was originally exclusively used by large enterprises,

today nearly any type of business can utilise telematics and use the

opportunities presented by the Internet of Things to elevate their business, reduce costs and simplify operations,” says Fraser.

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