This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
EXECUTIVE HIRE SHOW REVIEW


MCS’ Telematics Hub integrates with various suppliers’ systems.


Innovation integration


Hire software suppliers are introducing extra functionality to their products for greater efficiency. Matthew Julier checked out the latest developments at the Show.


Many hire companies perhaps take for granted a powerful item in their arsenal: software - a tool used daily but, when performing flawlessly, easily forgotten. Virtually all companies in this industry, both large and small, utilise this unsung hero in one form or another.


“There’s a lack of understanding of the power of information within the industry,” said Mel Cawley, MD of JPoint (www.jpoint.ie). “It’s primarily not in the forefront of a manager’s thoughts.” And he added that, as technology in hire continues to advance, so too must the software.


inspHire’s Martin Bestwick (left) with Peter Thompson, MD of CanTrack.


Telematics was one of the buzzwords emanating from software suppliers’ stands


at the Show 2018, with MCS (www.mcs.co.uk) introducing its Telematics Hub for its MCS-rm program, and inspHire (www.inspHire.com) adding its Asset Tracker function to integrate with the Trackunit, JCB Live Link and CanTrack systems. Telematics provides real-time, detailed information about equipment in the field, including location, if and how they have been damaged, and when they may need servicing.


“Integration with telematics is going to continue to become a bigger and bigger deal in the future, but also it’s going to become critical for pre-emptive maintenance, so before a generator breaks down, the hirer knows they have to go and fix it,” said Greg Bennett, VP of Sales with Point of Rental (www.pointofrental.co.uk).


Point of Rental’s new Inspection App facilitates equipment checks and maintenance from mobile devices.


These new developments allow businesses to access and track all their telematics data through one portal, negating the


23


need for multiple inputs and providing a streamlined experience. “A lot of plant hirers have a problem with consolidating manufacturer telematics data,” said MCS Marketing Manager, Eleanor Bateman. “Much of this machinery has the capability, but they are quite difficult to access because you need separate logins for them all.”


Adapting to technology


Software companies often have multiple solutions to deal with the various sizes of companies in their user base. Smaller scale users may not need the same levels of functionality that larger firms may require. With several suppliers having decades of experience under their belt, their software has had to be capable of constantly adapting to the innovating technology being released at an increasing pace. The move to a more mobile, paperless platform in the past decade is just one such example.


Also, Jaama (www.jaama.co.uk) has developed the MyVehicle App for its Key2 asset management software, to enable users to process and update data such as maintenance records and test certificates, and to automatically trigger any required service checks.


Jaama promoted its MyVehicle App at the Show.


inspHire’s General Manager, Martin Bestwick reports that the company is currently in talks to integrate virtual reality training system checks within its software, making it easier for hirers to see that customers have gone through the training necessary to use equipment safely and securely. Similarly, MCS’ Eleanor Bateman added, “We feel that the whole market is going to be more interested in running things on smart phones and tablets,” and pointed out that MCS has just unveiled RM Mobile, a hand-held version of MCS-rm, designed to allow access to key information from anywhere.


Online platform


Exhibiting at the Show for the first time was X-hire, which brings an added dimension. It offers a commission-based online platform,


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60