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Inspections Made More Efficient for British Construction Firm
In early 2009, Magnor met with 4hSolutions, which offered a tracking system similar to one it provides to other companies, including Byrne Group, (see story Byrne Group Automates Asset Management, Orders.) Unlike Byrne Group, however, Magnor's key challenge involved tracking inspections, more than determining than the location of equipment.
With the system provided by 4hSolutions, Magnor tags each piece of lifting or safety equipment with an Assettagz adhesive 125 kHz RFID passive tag, using a proprietary air-interface protocol. Each tag has a unique ID number that links to data about that particular item on 4hSolutions' hosted server, explains Andrew Davies, the company's managing director. The ID number and description are entered into the Assettagz server software, and the construction site to which a piece of equipment is assigned is then entered into the system when that item is sent to that location.
Each of Magnor's three inspectors carries a Workabout Pro handheld computer with a built-in RFID reader, Assettagz software and a GPRS connection to 4hSolutions' server. When conducting an inspection, says Stuart Faulkner, Magnor's safety equipment manager, an inspector first enters a password indicating his or her own identity. That inspector then reads the item's tag, causing the handheld to display a drop-down menu of instructions and prompts that guide that individual through the inspection process. That information is transmitted to the server and made available to Magnor's management, and the inspector can then print the results on-site and sign the document before leaving. If the equipment fails to pass inspection, the inspector indicates that fact on the handheld reader and removes the equipment from service.
After determining that the system was effective at tracking inspections, Davies says, Magnor opted to utilize it for fire extinguishers as well. There are between 30 and 50 extinguishers on each job site. Like the other types of safety equipment, extinguishers require regular inspections. An inspector now scans the ID number of an RFID tag attached to the top of an extinguisher, and the Assettagz software on the reader displays details about that item, such as its type (foam or water). He or she then proceeds with the inspection as with other equipment, and the data is forwarded to the server. The Assettagz software can also issue alerts to indicate which pieces of equipment have an inspection date that is approaching, or that has passed, or provide a list of items removed from service due to failed inspections.
According to Hall, the inspectors were initially dubious about the technology. "There was some reluctance to move forward with it," he states, "but within a few weeks, they were quite comfortable with it." In fact, Faulkner estimates, an inspection that typically took 45 minutes to an hour prior to the RFID system's deployment, now takes only about 15 to 20 minutes. And the site managers are happy with the results, Hall adds. What's more, the RFID system enables Magnor to promise same-day inspection results to the outside companies to which it hopes to lease its safety equipment and inspection services. "We've made it part of our sales pitch," he says. "We've won work on the back of it. The investment was minimal compared to the benefits we've seen."
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With the system provided by 4hSolutions, Magnor tags each piece of lifting or safety equipment with an Assettagz adhesive 125 kHz RFID passive tag, using a proprietary air-interface protocol. Each tag has a unique ID number that links to data about that particular item on 4hSolutions' hosted server, explains Andrew Davies, the company's managing director. The ID number and description are entered into the Assettagz server software, and the construction site to which a piece of equipment is assigned is then entered into the system when that item is sent to that location.
Each of Magnor's three inspectors carries a Workabout Pro handheld computer with a built-in RFID reader, Assettagz software and a GPRS connection to 4hSolutions' server. When conducting an inspection, says Stuart Faulkner, Magnor's safety equipment manager, an inspector first enters a password indicating his or her own identity. That inspector then reads the item's tag, causing the handheld to display a drop-down menu of instructions and prompts that guide that individual through the inspection process. That information is transmitted to the server and made available to Magnor's management, and the inspector can then print the results on-site and sign the document before leaving. If the equipment fails to pass inspection, the inspector indicates that fact on the handheld reader and removes the equipment from service.
According to Hall, the inspectors were initially dubious about the technology. "There was some reluctance to move forward with it," he states, "but within a few weeks, they were quite comfortable with it." In fact, Faulkner estimates, an inspection that typically took 45 minutes to an hour prior to the RFID system's deployment, now takes only about 15 to 20 minutes. And the site managers are happy with the results, Hall adds. What's more, the RFID system enables Magnor to promise same-day inspection results to the outside companies to which it hopes to lease its safety equipment and inspection services. "We've made it part of our sales pitch," he says. "We've won work on the back of it. The investment was minimal compared to the benefits we've seen."
