Plant tracking specialist AMI Group has reported that more and more customers are using the company’s tracking devices to source and utilise information which assists their Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) efforts.
AMI Group Operations Director Peter Stockton said: “Traditionally our tracking devices and associated AMI Nexis web-based portal are used to help organisations locate stolen plant machinery and avoid the astronomical costs associated with it, as equipment theft remains a major problem in the construction sector. Although the devices are a proven powerful anti-theft deterrent with a 100% recovery rate when they are covertly installed, more customers are also realising their benefits as a fleet management tool. They help customers utilise their equipment in the most efficient manner possible and source information which complements their EHS initiatives.”
AMI Group offers a range of tracking devices which utilise GPS (Global Positioning System), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and RF (Radio Frequency) technology. Once an AMI tracking device is fitted to a piece of plant machinery or a commercial vehicle, customers can logon to the AMI Nexis web-based portal to establish its positional information and monitor utilisation hours, vehicle speed, temperature, direction of travel, fuel levels and more. For instance, customers can monitor fuel efficiency and consumption. The system creates the potential to save up to 40% on fuel costs, translating into a return on investment within 2-3 months of installation.
Equipment can be immobilised online or via text message and proactive alerts such as servicing and asset management can be set up so that Plant or Transport Managers can stay in control of their fleet 24/7. Organisations with a large amount of equipment on-hire can also use the system as a useful tool to confirm whether equipment can be off-hired, as the ignition on/off times can be viewed. This facility can potentially allow organisations to recoup thousands in both unwanted costs and unnoticed hire fees.
AMI tracking devices protect over £245 million worth of customers assets across the UK. Dependent upon the application required, AMI devices can be either wired directly into the asset or can be completely wireless. Each device has a state-of-the-art internal power source with a long battery life and the asset’s activity and journeys are detected via ignition sense or an internal movement sensor known as an accelerometer. Once activity is detected, the device collates asset activity and GPS data before sending the information via GPRS to the AMI Nexis web-based portal which customers can access 24/7.
