Peter Haddock talks to Sam Mercer about how the business has created a digital first workflow for customers and is using the latest in simulator technology to train plant operators.
Sam: "The latest simulators are a brilliant way to educate and train operators. There are so many additional functions integrated now, from GPS machine control to safety solutions and even fatigue monitoring.
"Making digital work for the earthworks sector is critical as we move forward. Customers are now asking for more information and data from us that is available 24/7. We have a new crushing and screening business, heavy haulage is about to be launched, and our GPS machine control and survey fleet continues to expand.”
Peter: ”There are three core pillars to its new digital approach. The first is its ‘Hire Pod’ platform. This matches operators and their skills to customer job sites, letting customers know who is in the machine and what they can operate.
“Its second pillar is ‘Admin Data’. No-one likes admin, but it’s now an integrated part of how Plantforce can provide all of the data customers need in one place, bringing to life the information that each customer requires.
“And with carbon emissions, idle time and productivity being vital, its third pillar is all about machine utilisation data, from its telemetry partner MachineMax.
"Here, each customer can access a simple to use dashboard that quickly tells them what is going on with every connected asset onsite. This allows for real-time decision making and a longer term understanding of how to make the most of every drop of fuel burned.
With machine control from the likes of Leica Geosystems now used across its fleet, Plantforce will also be reporting on an industry survey carried out at Plantworx, which Peter hopes to report on.