JCB is taking innovation to revolutionary new levels with the launch of two technology products which enable fleet owners and machine operators to reduce downtime, increase revenue and improve safety.
Developed in collaboration with major hire companies, fleet managers and owner operators, the JCB Operator app and LiveLink Fleet website portal use technology to overcome a host of construction site issues - all at the click of a button.
The JCB Operator app has been developed to combat common construction site issues by:
• Making the pre-start machine check process electronic – replacing paper-based checks which can often be lost, damaged or incorrectly filled in
• Allowing operators to add comments or images to safety checks
• Providing useful documents such as quick start guides.
The LiveLink Fleet website portal also now enables customers to monitor all brands of machines in one place. Working in tandem with the JCB Operator app it also enables them to:
• Capture a real-time overview of a complete fleet
• Collate all machine pre-start checks electronically, manage servicing and immediately deal with critical health alerts – reducing machine downtime
• Quickly monitor top line data such as fuel consumption, faults and machine idle time to improve profitability
• Link to a variety of complementary JCB systems through a single login.
Ian Sayers|JCB Group Managing Director Parts and Service
JCB Operator app
The JCB Operator app is available to all machine operators on iPhone and iPad devices with Android availability set to follow later this year. The app addresses common issues seen on construction sites across the world today. Paper-based machine checks are a mandatory safety requirement on many sites, yet they are often illegible, submitted late, easily damaged or not thoroughly completed. JCB has addressed this by making the machine checks process electronic through the JCB Operator app.
Once the user has logged into the app, they can scan the data plate on JCB machines or manually enter a machine serial number. Machine checks specific to the given model are provided if the user has an online connection, if not a generic machine checks template will be provided. Rental companies and site specific check templates can also be created if required.
The user simply carries out the machine check process by either passing or failing individual checks, with the ability to add comments or take photos on any failed checks. The operator has the option of emailing completed checks if required, for example to safety or site management. Checks can be completed offline if necessary and will be submitted once an online connection is established. These checks are then visible to act upon and take necessary action in the LiveLink Fleet portal.
Useful documents, such as quick start guides, are also available for the operator to view along with safety and inspection certificates.
LiveLink Fleet
The all-new LiveLink Fleet portal is designed to allow the user to quickly see the current status and required actions of their machine fleet. It is targeted specifically at owner operators, fleet managers and rental companies to provide as a value added offering to the rental customer.
LiveLink Fleet takes the headache out of managing multiple brand machine fleets, allowing customers to collate and make sense of data in a single place by integrating external telematics data feeds from other equipment manufacturers and aftermarket telematics providers.
The platform provides the user with easily understood machine health alerts, safety alerting including failed checks supplied by the JCB Operator app, and service alerting. Health alerting is limited to critical items only which have been opened within the last one hour period.
These alerts are designed to be easily understood by both operators and fleet management, for example low fuel levels, air filter blockages and water in fuel.
Customers can also directly engage with JCB dealers from the LiveLink Fleet portal. Features include requesting assistance, such as a technical enquiry or urgent action in the event of downtime, and requesting a service on a machine. The relevant dealer will then be in touch to book in a service at a convenient date and time.
Customers are able to improve profitability through a selection of analytics data. This includes machine hours, time spent in idle and fuel usage. Sustainability and environmental targets can also be met with the ability to provide carbon emissions data.
Through LiveLink Fleet, the user is able to link seamlessly to a variety of JCB systems through a single login. If more detailed telematics information is required on a specific model the user can select to link to the LiveLink telematics portal. Similarly, the user can access and order parts and view technical information such as operator manuals.
Documents such as safety and maintenance inspections can be uploaded to specific models if required, to complement the JCB supplied quick start guides and declaration of conformity. Non-telemetry related assets can be added into LiveLink Fleet if required, such as machines and attachments, enabling documents to be attached and checks to be performed in the JCB Operator app. The LiveLink Fleet portal can also be customised by changing colours and incorporating organisation logos if required.
JCB Operator and LiveLink Fleet will be officially unveiled to UK customers at PlantworX, on June 11-13, with international launches later in 2019. JCB Operator is initially available on iOS for iPhone and iPad, with the Android version coming online later this year.