IoT technology is one of the most exciting, fastest-growing markets in our economy. And with the costs of connected devices coming down, more and more businesses are implementing sensors and tracking devices to manage and monitor their most valuable assets. From theft prevention to predictive maintenance, asset tracking technology empowers you to optimize the ROI and extend the lifespan of the assets your business relies on every day. One study found that using IoT tech for asset tracking can generate up to $1.9 trillion of economic value in supply chain and logistics alone.
While much of the conversation centers on tracking powered assets like vehicles, non-powered assets (such as trailers and dumpsters) can also benefit from tracking. Unpowered asset tracking devices rely on their own power so you can monitor the location, usage, and other attributes of your valuable equipment. But with so many options on the market, how can you find the right provider for you? Ask these three questions to identify the best non-powered asset tracking partner for your business.
Why the Right Partner Matters
Installing sensors and tracking devices is just the first step. To maximize your investment, it’s important to leverage the full range of capabilities they offer. The quality of your experience with asset tracking depends heavily on the partner you choose.
Collecting the Right Data
From run time to temperature, non-powered asset tracking provides you with a wealth of data, but it can quickly become overwhelming and potentially more expensive with employees sifting through loads of data trying to make sense of it. Hone in on what information you need about your assets to prevent overload. For example, you may only want to incorporate GPS tracking and shock sensors on your trailers to keep track of their location and be alerted to potential damage. A good partner will advise you on which data points make the most sense for your specific application and needs.
Setting Up the Right Configuration
The configuration of your non-powered asset tracking solution is also an important consideration for preventing data overload. For instance, with geofencing, you can configure tracking solutions to alert you when an asset leaves a particular area. This is especially useful for preventing theft on construction sites, but not as useful for tracking the location of trailers that are constantly on the move. Instead, you may want to create scheduled updates to prolong your battery life or daily reports that provide GPS data on the trailers to keep up with their progress.
Reaching your business objectives also depends on the configuration of your chosen solution. One of the most common use cases for asset tracking is predictive maintenance. According to McKinsey, integrated, sensor-based condition monitoring and remote external monitoring can lead to a 20-30% reduction in maintenance costs. However, achieving those results depends on compiling the right data and configuring the alerts and analytics correctly. The ideal partner will offer best practices to help you maximize asset tracking to support better maintenance and operations.
Scaling as Your Needs Change
The world of connected devices continues to evolve, and so do the needs of a growing business. As your needs change, your partner should provide the support you need to scale. Making upgrades or expanding tracking to more of your assets doesn’t have to be a daunting process. Your provider should be able to advise you on the right devices to use, as well as how to easily incorporate them into your existing workflows.
3 Questions to Ask a Potential Provider
Since these factors will have such an impact on the effectiveness of your non-powered asset tracking, you’re probably wondering how to identify the ideal partner. Whether you’re using telematics for the first time or are thinking about switching providers, a partner that can meet your unique needs can make a world of difference.
1. What Is Their Support Structure?
Asset tracking should simplify your life. That means you need devices that perform reliably and a provider that offers excellent customer support. A provider should be more than willing to share details on their service structure. Ideally, they’ll assign you a dedicated account manager that understands your business. The account manager should become familiar with how your tracking solution is set up and proactively offer ways to help you maximize ROI. In addition to account management, look for these details:
Staff Experience
The right provider will have experienced staff supporting your account. Whether you’ve got a basic support question or you’re planning to add trackers to more of your devices, their support team should have the know-how to help you reach a satisfactory solution.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
It’s easy for a provider to say they’re committed to providing high-quality service, but without SLAs that commitment is impossible to quantify. A provider should be able to tell you what to expect in terms of turnaround time for ordering new devices, response time for customer service calls, and uptime for your devices. They should also have a plan outlining how they report on SLAs and what happens should they fall short of meeting them.
HoloTrak’s Commitment to Customer Service
At Holotrak, our clients rely on our dedicated support staff to provide high-quality customer service, no matter the issue. Our experienced support team has the technical knowledge to identify issues and satisfy customer expectations. But you don’t have to take our word for it––here’s what one of our clients has to say:
“The customer service and response time is unmatched! We love the reliable service and quality products.”
––Valencia Washington, High Rise Hotels
Contacting our customer support team is easy, either via phone or email. With us, you’re not just another number. You’re a valued client that we’re committed to helping achieve your goals with telematics and asset tracking.
2. Can the Provider Create a Customized, Cost-Effective Package?
As we mentioned earlier, configuration is essential to leveraging the benefits of non-powered asset tracking. The flexibility of IoT devices is their greatest strength, but it can also be a major stumbling block. Determining which devices you need for which assets, what data to track, and which reports will provide the insights necessary to meet your goals can be difficult. Other factors to consider include integrations with Bluetooth and preventive maintenance systems, as well as the timing of alerts and reporting.
With the right partner, developing an effective unpowered asset tracking solution starts with evaluating your needs. Your budget, asset types, staffing resources, and access needs all come into play. Your provider should be able to construct a package that empowers you to achieve your goals but without breaking the bank. If you’re new to asset tracking, they can advise you where to start so you can build the right foundation to scale as you grow in the future.
HoloTrak’s Approach to Customization
We understand that no two businesses or asset portfolios are alike. That’s why we work with every client to assess their unique needs and create non-powered asset tracking solutions that are both affordable and of the highest quality. We keep up with the latest technologies and test potential devices rigorously to ensure that our clients always have access to the latest, most effective technology. And we advise our clients on which automations and reports will best support their needs.
Here’s what one of our clients has to say about our approach:
“With our previous provider we were overpaying for an antiquated technology that was well behind in ease of installation, functionality, and reporting options. After signing up with HoloTrak we were able to expand our fleet and provide accurate tracking to our customers.”
––Ralita Mims, Dispatcher at TriState Xpress, LLC
3. What Is the Provider’s Installation and Onboarding Process?
Outfitting an entire fleet or portfolio of assets with tracking devices and setting up your backend systems can be a lengthy process. Getting it right is vital to achieving the outcomes you expect. At the same time, business must proceed as normal (or close to it). A good provider will streamline the implementation process so you can focus on managing your assets.
- Support: The provider should provide details on how their support staff helps you plan, implement, and maintain the asset tracking solution you choose.
- Training: Maximizing the ROI of asset tracking requires you and your team know how to use it. Ask providers how much training they provide, how long it takes, and whether they provide refreshers or additional training for new hires. And since many teams are distributed geographically, find out how they deliver consistent training to all your employees.
- Time: The length of the onboarding process will depend on the solution you choose. But a good provider should be able to provide an overview of the milestones you should expect to hit in the implementation process, and how long it will take to reach them.
Overall, the onboarding process should be as simple and seamless for you as possible. A good provider will understand the pressures your business faces and will know how to onboard your solution while minimizing disruptions.
HoloTrak Makes Onboarding Easy
We know you’ve got a lot on your plate, and you’re eager to begin accessing the insights that asset tracking provides. We’ve streamlined our onboarding process to reduce headaches and downtime without sacrificing quality. Every detail matters, and our process ensures that every device, sensor, automation, and report is set up correctly. And we arm your teams with the training they need to use them effectively.
From Onboarding to Ongoing Support, HoloTrak Has Your Back
Here’s what another happy client has to say:
“The real-time reporting we get from HoloTrak’s platform has been very helpful in tracking our assets, giving us the ability to know exactly where our vehicles and techs are in real-time. We are also satisfied with the customer service we have been provided.”
––Dave Meraz, San Benito County Water District
Ready to start reaping the benefits of non-powered asset tracking? Let us put together a solution that will meet your needs without breaking the budget. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.