Construction companies are embracing a totally paperless process to manage their equipment needs. This helps control costs and streamlines a cumbersome process for field personnel, yard managers, and back office procurement teams. See how companies like Rosendin Electric are using a mix of equipment tracking software, mobile apps, RFID tagging, and online portals to provide total visibility of equipment and empower their teams.
In it simplest form, there are just 4 steps.
1. The process starts in the field when a job site needs tools or equipment. Instead of placing calls to the yard or going back to their office computer, they place their request on an easy to use Job Site Portal. The portal showcases a library of approved equipment, where the site manager places an order much like they would an Amazon order. They specify what equipment they need, quantity, dates, and then they will see what cost will be allocated.
2. Next, the request goes to the warehouse or yard staff who checks on availability and processes the order. If available, they process the request. But if there is no available equipment, they can use a supplier portal to send out multiple bids to get the best re-rent option for their team.
3. Assuming the equipment is in the yard, a request is sent to a picker’s mobile device. The picker collects all the equipment and tools needed for that job and delivers it to the right truck and driver.
4. Lastly, the driver gets a notification on their mobile device that tells them what and where to deliver the equipment. They load it up and alert the job site that they are on their way. Once they get to the job site, the driver unloads the equipment, gets the job site to sign for the delivery, and updates the equipment system.
For returns, the job site simply processes a return request and the reverse process begins.
The beauty of the system is that the location of every piece of equipment is visible real time to all parties. That reduces lost equipment and ensures the right job is being allocated the right costs for equipment they are using. Add in RFID tagging and the whole end to end process gets even easier.
