ROUNDTABLE | DATA CAPTURE SYSTEMS P
aperless data capture systems that use mobile apps, IoT sensors and cloud- based platforms to gather and analyse
data in real-time are becoming more prevalent in the crane and hoist industry. Companies have at their disposal a growing range of hi- tech solutions that could potentially improve the performance of their assets. Monitoring equipment health can reduce downtime, streamline maintenance processes and ensure safety compliance without the laborious and time-consuming need to do the paperwork by hand. But do they deliver what they promise? The rapid advance of technological capability always seems to offer a potential competitive advantage, a major reduction in cost, a boost to margins or gains in efficiency at various stages of the production and logistics process, but not all the claims that are made turn out to be worthy of investment. Nowhere is this more true than in the area of AI, which is a key component of next-gen monitoring and data capture systems. So how do business owners establish the merits of these technologies and arrive at a realistic view of what benefits they can bring? To answer these questions, and more, we
asked experts in the development of technology for the crane and hoist industry. Gary Ng is CEO and co-founder of AI-powered construction technology company viAct, which specialises in computer vision and IoT solutions to enhance safety, efficiency and compliance on construction sites. Jarrod Glasgow is CEO of crewOS, which has
created an all-in-one, cloud-based field service management software tool designed to replace paper-based systems with a digital, centralised platform for streamlined workflows. Dan Beilfuss, general manager for Columbus McKinnon’s automation division, also shared some thoughts. Columbus McKinnon offers the Intelli-Connect diagnostics and analytics software for wireless monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance, and the company also oversees digital power and motion control systems provider Magnetek.
Can you give an overview of the current data capture and reporting landscape in the overhead crane and hoist industry? GN: Across the overhead crane and hoist industry, data capture has historically relied on manual inspection sheets, lift registers and supervisor sign-offs, often completed after operations have concluded. While this approach satisfies baseline compliance, it limits real-time visibility and rarely captures near-misses or unsafe behaviours during active lifts. At viAct, we see a clear industry shift towards continuous, digital data capture, driven by increased regulatory scrutiny, tighter project timelines and higher-risk lifting environments. Modern sites are adopting AI-enabled monitoring, edge computing and integrated dashboards to
Gary Ng is CEO and co-founder of AI-powered construction technology company viAct.
capture operational data as it happens. In hoisting operations specifically, our hook-mounted vision AI system enables automatic capture of lift events, proximity risks and unsafe acts without relying on human reporting. This transition reflects a broader move away from static documentation toward live operational intelligence, particularly on complex sites such as high-rise construction in Hong Kong and Singapore.
JG: Today, a lot of data capture in the overhead crane industry is still done on paper or in Excel spreadsheets. Some companies have moved to digital tools, like safety apps, inspection apps and time tracking apps, but the data is usually siloed across multiple systems. Because of that, reporting is mostly backward-looking and typically limited to accounting data, like what was billed and when. There’s very little visibility into inspection results, equipment performance or missed repair opportunities. Overall, data is fragmented and stuck in outdated processes, which limits how useful it can really be.
How has the move from paper-based processes to digital systems evolved over the past few years? GN: The shift has been evolutionary rather than disruptive. Early digitalisation efforts focused on
digitalising existing paper workflows, such as checklist apps or PDF-based inspection reports. While helpful for record storage, these tools largely preserved manual processes. More recently, the focus has moved toward
automated data capture at the point of operation. Advances in edge computing and computer vision now allow lifting activities to be monitored continuously, reducing dependence on human reporting. Systems such as our viHOI hoisting- focused solutions have emerged from this shift, reflecting a broader industry recognition that dynamic lifting environments require live operational data, not post-event documentation.
JG: What we’ve mostly seen is that companies have created digital versions of old paper processes. Instead of a paper form, it’s now a PDF or a spreadsheet. The next shift companies are trying to make is moving all of that data into a single system. They want to use their data to gain insights, be proactive and make better decisions, instead of only looking backward at what already happened.
DB: Technological advancements are enabling more real-time data capture in the overhead crane industry. This allows for more accurate analysis of the productivity of overhead cranes
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