Selecting new products can be tricky and overwhelming at times, but it’s crucial to take the time to do your research. The following are 10 of the main questions you should consider before buying the latest equipment on the market.
For more information, please visit Dolang.
1. Has the product been tested, and does it function and perform as the literature and salesperson says it will? Anyone can bring a product to market, so make sure the product you’re spending your agency’s money on has been well tested if it’s directly related to patient care.
2. Who else uses the product in the industry, and what do they think of the product’s usefulness and performance? Call around and talk to other users; it will be well worth your time. Agencies and people who have used the product are sometimes your best resource on product performance. The Internet makes this fairly easy with blogs and . Surveys work well too. Ask the vendor for a list of agencies and contact people currently using the product.
3. Is the product cost effective, and does it fit in the current budget? Is it a one-time expense or will the product need to be supported financially for years to come? Many products have future budget implications from the day you buy them. Understand the financial commitment each product carries and plan what the costs will be for the life of the product, such as preventative maintenance, product supplies and repair cost when damaged.
4. How much education will it take to introduce the new product to its users and will the vendor share that time and expense with the agency? Clinicians aren’t usually going to read the owner’s manual, so some form of training is going to be required when a new product is introduced in your agency. In a large agency, training can take lots of time and be costly. The product vendor should support the initial product implementation by providing the training for the whole department or doing a “train-the-trainer” session.
5. What is the company’s ability to support the product into the future? A warranty is only as good as the company that backs the product. There are really no guarantees these days that a company will be there to back up the warranty, so make it your goal to purchase products from companies that are well established in the industry.
6. Will the product make the clinical care provider’s job easier or harder? Chiefs sometimes burden their field providers with equipment that isn’t user friendly or ergonomic. Before you buy, get input and feedback from the end users. What may look good on the Internet from your desk may not work well in the back of an ambulance.
7. Is the product durable enough for the EMS industry? In EMS we break lots of stuff on a regular basis. Products must be ruggedized for our work environment and should perform well in any and all weather conditions, 24 hours a day.
8. Will the product require regular service and maintenance? Who fixes it when it breaks, and where are they located? This is important: When it breaks it’s going to need to be fixed. Local service for key equipment is a must. Drop shipping an important piece of equipment overnight (like cardiac monitors) can result in out-of-service time for your ambulance unless a backup is immediately available.
9. Will this product make a difference in patient outcomes in some fashion? There are lots of things that EMS providers wish they had, but budget priority should focus on items that directly improve patient outcomes before we spend money on the “wish list.”
10. Could I convince my supervisors that this product is necessary and justify the expense to the city mangers (or taxpayers) if need be? If you’re in EMS management, you understand that money doesn’t grow on trees and that you often have to justify your potential purchase to someone up the chain of command.
Can you justify $35,000 for a cardiac monitor to get it through the budget process? Are there alternatives to the purchase? Can you formulate a convincing argument based on need, product performance, longevity and improved patient outcomes?
The seamless orchestration of heavy machinery, tools, and other construction equipment can significantly impact your project timelines, costs, and overall productivity.
For construction professionals, asking the right questions is essential to ensure that the equipment is not just operational, but working at its peak efficiency.
In this article, we delve into those critical questions.
By addressing these queries head-on, you can unlock the secret to more effective construction equipment management, leading to enhanced project outcomes, a streamlined workflow, and well-oiled job sites.
Nowadays, technology and productivity truly go hand in hand.
So, if you’re not utilizing a dedicated equipment tracking system, you might be missing out on numerous benefits that could speed up your workflows and enhance the efficiency of your operations.
Firstly, equipment monitoring with specialized automated software is, believe it or not, much simpler and more time-efficient than with traditional methods like, for example, spreadsheets.
The system automatically updates the location, usage status, or condition of your equipment, thereby eliminating the need to enter the data manually.
This not only saves you time, but also provides you with thorough, accurate, and up-to-date asset records.
In other words, while the software takes care of its tasks, you can focus on yours, instead of worrying about mundane activities such as updating a machine’s or tool’s whereabouts every time they are moved from point A to point B.
Another efficiency-boosting aspect of asset-tracking solutions is the elimination of human error.
Let’s be realistic: when manual data input is assigned to workers, mistakes are inevitable, impacting your ability to properly manage company assets and posing risks to overall productivity.
A typo, a miscalculation or simply forgetting to enter a vital piece of data into Excel—all of these can have serious (and costly) consequences down the line.
Just imagine what happens when someone forgets to update a machine’s location.
This alone can waste a lot of valuable time, sending workers on a quest to find that key piece of equipment and diverting them from their work.
Asset tracking solutions, such as our own GoCodes, circumvent such issues and offer greater reliability when it comes to equipment management.
The system itself, comprised of QR code labels, software, and a scanner app, is user-friendly, allowing your employees to get used to it quickly.
QR codes are affixed to machinery and tools and scanned via the app for information viewing and updates.
Each time QR code labels are scanned for actions like equipment check-in or check-out, the asset’s location and status are instantly updated—no room for typos, data omission, or accidental deletion.
All information is securely stored in the cloud.
You can then access the usage history at any time through your computer, , or tablet, leveraging the information for well-informed decision-making and better resource allocation.
Remember, these solutions are developed precisely for equipment management, so why not give them a thought?
The significance of adopting a proactive approach when it comes to maintenance cannot be overstated, and individuals who neglect this important aspect simply can’t reach the maximum equipment management efficiency.
Those who do prioritize maintenance, on the other hand, reap a multitude of benefits, including:
While the advantages are extensive, the bottom line remains the same: proper asset upkeep is directly linked to effective equipment management, no doubt about it.
So, what’s the key to unlocking all these benefits?
Preventive maintenance and regular inspections.
Waiting until a machine reaches a critical condition is not the best course of action, every equipment manager will attest to that.
Instead, focus on developing a schedule for inspections to identify potential issues in the making, and address them while the asset is still operational in order to prevent those problems from evolving into major disruptions in the future.
Research from the NCBI supports this approach, confirming that companies implementing preventive maintenance experience significantly less downtime and fewer defects.
Adhering to a well-structured equipment servicing schedule definitely pays off in the long run, ensuring your machinery and tools remain functional for as long as possible and perform optimally.
Overall, a proactive maintenance strategy is simply a must if you aim to make the most out of your assets, which is, ultimately, the essence of successful equipment management.
When it comes to efficient equipment management, however, it’s not only about how well you care for your machines and tools.
It’s also about how effectively you use them.
Inefficient asset utilization manifests itself in two ways, each on one side of the spectrum: overutilization and underutilization.
Underutilization is usually given much more attention, as it, essentially, involves equipment sitting unused on a job site and not contributing to revenue generation.
Those who rent their equipment are even less fond of this problem since it means they are basically paying for an asset that isn’t making them any money.
On the other side of the spectrum are overutilized assets, which are equally harmful, potentially causing safety issues, unplanned downtime, and project delays due to the increased likelihood of unexpected failures from overwork.
But, how do you put a stop to these problems and make sure your resources are properly used?
Want more information on Vocational Training Equipment? Feel free to contact us.
According to Norty Turner from Woodland Management, the answer lies in telematics.
Telematics, encompassing various data related to equipment usage, helps you identify areas that might need improvement, guides decision-making, and optimizes asset utilization through strategic allocation.
For instance, monitoring asset data may reveal that an excavator has been at a job site for an extended period without being used.
In response, you can either relocate it to another location or, if it’s rented, return it until needed again.
So, here are some metrics to pay attention to:
As Turner mentioned, all of these metrics can be tracked and analyzed using equipment management software, which not only compiles data but also generates reports on asset usage, helping you make sense of the information.
Consequently, by relying on this rich data, you become much better equipped to handle resource allocation, ensuring you have the right amount of equipment in the right places.
The problem of construction equipment theft looms large over the minds of many managers as well as other industry professionals.
Given the significant financial implications involved, it’s hardly surprising that theft prevention has become a non-negotiable aspect of any robust asset management strategy.
It is widely acknowledged that the ramifications of having your equipment stolen extend well beyond mere replacement expenses, encompassing:
At the end of the day, there’s no denying that theft can significantly harm your projects as well as the very success of your business.
The question then becomes: how probable is it for you to fall victim to such an incident?
According to the National Equipment Registry, the likelihood is alarmingly high.
The report on the Labor Day heavy equipment theft reveals some staggering numbers—179 reported incidents in that single day, with a cumulative loss exceeding a mind-blowing $4 million.
These criminals spared no one, targeting dealerships, worksites, and storage facilities indiscriminately.
While Labor Day is one of the days when we see an upswing in such activities, the underlying risk of theft is, unfortunately, an ever-present reality.
When it comes to protecting your assets from crime, technology proves to be the most reliable ally.
Take, for example, Bluetooth beacons—compact tracking devices that can be seamlessly attached to your equipment.
Leveraging radio technology, these inconspicuous yet powerful beacons transmit real-time data to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as smartphones, keeping users constantly informed about the tagged asset’s whereabouts.
Some models even come equipped with an app that issues immediate notifications when the beacon strays beyond a specified range.
All in all, to seasoned equipment managers, the implementation of tracking systems is not just a recommendation—it’s a strategic imperative.
It proves to be the cornerstone of fortifying defenses against theft and vandalism, ensuring smoother operations, mitigating damage to profitability, and generally safeguarding the company’s reputation.
Another crucial responsibility of equipment managers involves making sure that operators receive thorough (and ongoing) training in the proper use of company assets and a comprehensive understanding of relevant maintenance procedures.
Operating heavy equipment is undeniably challenging, especially with the increasing complexity of machinery brought about by technological advancements.
Therefore, continuous education is essential for all operators, regardless of experience level, as it plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that assets are both operated and maintained correctly, thus minimizing downtime or unexpected issues, and, of course, ensuring job site safety.
Jason Turville, project manager at Trans-Jordan Cities Landfill in Utah, emphasizes the significance of adequate training for the company’s success.
He says that ensuring that the employees are not only comfortable with the machinery but also proficient in its usage is what enables them to utilize the equipment as it was meant to be utilized and make the most out of it.
So, what does successful operator training entail, anyway?
Brad Goliboski, president of Goliboski Contracting, Inc., and a trainer at Confederation College, who has trained numerous individuals on operating various types of machines, provides some valuable insights.
He explains that the training generally involves three stages: theory, familiarization, and operation.
For starters, it’s imperative for employees to thoroughly study equipment manuals until they have a complete understanding of a machine.
Then, they familiarize themselves with the machine by physically inspecting and interacting with it.
Finally, they gain practical experience by using the equipment in real-world conditions.
Of course, the specifics of training may vary slightly depending on the type of machine, but its indispensability for both new and experienced operators remains consistent.
Adept equipment managers recognize the importance of proper operator training and ensure that their team is well-educated in all aspects of machine operation and maintenance, no matter what.
Equipment management involves overseeing the assets throughout their entire lifecycle, from acquisition through operation to disposal.
However, predicting when is the right time to give up on repairs and replace a machine is an art in its own right.
Nevertheless, this is a vital part of equipment management, as it helps plan and prepare for future acquisitions, as well as decreases the likelihood of machines unexpectedly failing in the middle of a critical project.
In short, holding onto a machine for longer than necessary can result in it becoming a financial drain rather than an asset.
But, when is the right time to begin considering replacement?
Generally, it’s when the costs associated with owning that piece of equipment start approaching the revenue it generates.
Matt Lang, senior vice president at Amegy Bank, refers to this point as the break-even.
The solution for identifying the break-even and forecasting asset replacement on time involves diligent tracking of equipment data and equipment-related costs.
For that, you need to have a system, such as an asset tracking software, in place that monitors the performance, maintenance, and depreciation of the equipment in real time, enabling you to notice early indicators of potential problems.
If the issues with a particular machine start becoming more frequent and more costly, it might be an indication to you that the asset is approaching the end of its useful life.
And although this won’t change the fact that, sooner or later, every machine and tool has to be replaced, it’ll still help you navigate the inevitable need for replacement with greater preparedness, turning what might be an unforeseen challenge into a manageable and expected transition.
In conclusion, the role of efficient equipment managers extends beyond the mere operation of machinery; it encompasses the strategic utilization of data and the foresight to plan ahead.
It’s crucial to recognize, however, that effective equipment management is not a one-time task.
Instead, it’s an ongoing process that demands constant evaluation and adaptation.
Therefore, by regularly revisiting and addressing the questions we provided in this article, you can ensure the sustained success of your equipment management practices, fostering a dynamic and responsive environment that aligns with the ever-changing needs of your company.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Teacher Training.