Technology Tidbits
by: Brandon McKimmey
As I was pondering what to write for this article it occurred to me that the advancements in Crown and Nissan technology were sometimes difficult to keep up with. Because I have the luxury of working at a distribution center in Florence, I have seen the latest technology Crown has to offer. There are many topics I could write about, but today I will write about INFOLINK!
INFOLINK is a user-friendly, on-board operator module that wirelessly communicates lift truck data to a central server using the same network, which most warehouses already have in place. By using INFOLINK, warehouse managers, supervisors, and technicians can compile data on how many hours each truck is in operation; control who is allowed on the trucks; ensure safety inspections are conducted by each operator; manage planned maintenance programs; and be alerted when and where a truck has had a collision. More examples are listed below:
- Inspection, certification and training features include reports and e-mail alerts for management.
- INFOLINK hour meters offer planned maintenance based on actual usage instead of calendars.
- Component-level hour meters include log-on, idle, travel and hydraulic hours.
- The INFOLINK text messaging and truck locator capability eliminates wasted time searching for operators or trucks.
- The system monitors and automatically reports impacts when they occur.
- Detailed reports provide insight on equipment utilization based on actual processes and functions.
- Once idle after a collision, the truck will become inoperable.
Also, if the electronic checklist is failed by the operator then an e-mail is sent to whoever oversees the repair of the forklift.
Now all of this sounds great on paper but I assure you it is as good as advertised. The information is accessed from your desktop in a standard password based program. Once in the program you simply have tabs directing you to whatever information you need to know.
I use this program every day. It tells me what truck is due for a PM service and where the truck is within the warehouse. If an operator is using the truck, then I will page them and they deliver the truck to me. By using the module I can reset the PM once completed and in 90 days or 250 hours the truck will be back.
You will be surprised to know the INFOLINK modules can be used on all types of trucks, not just Crown. As a matter of fact our company's first non-Crown install happened to take place on 44 Toyota sit-downs. INFOLINK can be used on almost all electric trucks of any make and model. The modules can also be used on gas trucks however some of the capabilities of INFOLINK will be diminished such as hydraulic hour meters and travel hour meters.
I just completed an INFOLINK install of a Tusk LP forklift and they are planning to add modules to the Tennant Sweepers. I like to compare this technology to the DVR and HD television, once you use it you never want to go back to the way it was before!