Fleet Cost and Care’s mobile Atom app allows crane and heavy lift fleet owners to manage operations using a tablet or smartphone.
Detroit-based company Fleet Cost and Care has revolutionised the way global crane and heavy lift companies manage their fleets and continues to automate and streamline real-time data.
Atom is an extension of the company’s desktop fleet management software, NexGen, which was designed to improve internal operations and streamline job scheduling. The app gives crane and heavy lift professionals all the tools they need for fleet management on a mobile device.
Fleet Cost and Care Client Services Vice President Tony Ashdown said the Atom app digitises day-to-day tasks, enabling everyone in an organisation to manage operations from a tablet or smartphone while out in the field.
“The app can create quotes and work orders, assign jobs to mechanics, enter labour, capture signatures on a job site, perform safety checklists, and check in on the status of the jobs at any given time,” Tony said. “Completing all this data entry for the operator can help to ease the stress of the workday.
“I’ve been in the industry for more than 40 years and while technology and advancements have resulted in some sophisticated cranes, the actual business operations systems haven’t evolved. There’s a huge gap in automation of business operations that continues to persist – that is Fleet Cost and Care’s window of opportunity to help its customers.”
Tony said Fleet Cost and Care started developing Atom in 2012 to give operators access to NexGen features on a mobile device. After 18 months of development the app was rolled out in early 2014.
The app has been designed for ease of use for operators, including clearly labelled buttons.
Atom’s one-touch approach: Reducing time and cost
A key feature of Atom is the E-ticket system which makes work performed in the field immediately accessible to administrative staff in the office, decreasing the need for paper and improving efficiency by reducing the need to re-key information from one system to the next.
Employees can view, complete and electronically sign relevant safety information in real time to ensure authentication and accuracy.
Atom also recognises location and automatically adjusts payroll to reflect the relevant award, based on a job site.
“Atom allows for easy and efficient data input which adds discipline to processes,” said Tony. “It’s a powerful tool for getting a business into a strong and stable financial position.”
Project coverage
The Atom remote dispatch tool makes it easy to assign and track the status of work crews from any location. It records information about crews onsite such as who they are, when they arrive and leave; ensuring projects are fully resourced, therefore mitigating safety risks.
Project details can also be stored, reducing confusion and communication breakdown on the jobsite.
“For example, if an ongoing project requires eight precast panels to be installed and only six were installed, those details can be recorded in the app, which will then notify the operator the next day to complete the job,” said Tony.
Remote use: Anywhere, anytime
Because Atom does not rely on internet to function, it can be used in rural locations or areas with limited data or phone access, such as refineries. Data can be input and will be stored offline.
Atom’s certification system
Liability control is a major factor in protecting crew members and companies on the jobsite. Atom stores up-to-date data, including whether certifications are current or missing, ensuring the safety of crane machinery and equipment.
Tony said in the event of a crane accident, valid certifications relating to crane health and operator qualifications are vital.
“Atom will store all the relevant certifications to ensure that all equipment and qualifications are correctly applied in each situation; this ensures each task involving heavy lifts is performed safely.”
Realise the potential of fleet management
Tony said there’s huge opportunity for software products such as Atom but some crane company operators leave it too late to invest in a fleet management system.
“Some owners don’t understand the efficiencies that can come from systemising their fleet management system,” he said.
“They tend to wait for a ‘catalyst’ moment. It could take a significant incident on a crane site that encourages increased safety compliance and machine certification control or a lost job due to poor planning. It may take a big loss to realise change is needed.
“The Atom app experience would be akin to driving an upgraded car – you don’t know how good it can be until you try it.”