The mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) sector recently got the industry’s first platform for two-way fleet management and machine interactivity when access equipment and telehandler specialist JLG launched its ClearSky Smart Fleet telematics and fleet management solution.
Launched in Europe initially by JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a leading global manufacturer of MEWPs and telehandlers, the ClearSky Smart Fleet solution seeks to bring a new paradigm into fleet management and telematics by enabling two-way communications.
According to JLG, the solution has been built as a robust, constantly evolving IoT platform that can deliver unique functionalities, deeper insights and new ways to run more cost-effective operations.
“The next-generation platform, available as standard on most new equipment, transforms basic one-way telematics into a two-way solution that allows the machine and user to communicate with one another,” said JLG while describing the product.
Telematics reimagined
The manufacturer added that innovative elements in the ClearSky Smart Fleet solution are designed to revolutionise the way customers work, such as digitised daily processes to enhance efficiency, accurate and efficient machine location, additional equipment service capabilities, streamlined logistics with Automated Site Networks, and actionable, on-demand machine and fleet insights.
Customers can use the platform via an efficient mobile app or customisable web portal, which is integrated into JLG’s 24/7 e-commerce site, Online Express. For those with mixed fleets, an advanced API data feed enables them to incorporate ClearSky Smart Fleet data into their existing telematics systems.
Explaining the new solution, James W Hahessy, Product Manager – Connected Solutions, JLG EMEA, says: “JLG has built ClearSky Smart Fleet to help customers do their jobs faster, more effectively and efficiently than ever before, so that they can reach new heights of productivity and profitability.
“It’s a robust solution, purpose-built by JLG from the ground up and using feedback from customers to meet their needs. With more than 25 features, it will make their fleet management tasks easier and more efficient.”
Apart from the purpose-built mobile app, the ClearSky Smart Fleet also has a web portal interface that provides user-friendly navigation, supported with powerful features that give customers immediate visibility to their fleet’s health and performance data from wherever they are.
The integration of this system with users’ existing systems using the API data feed also enables further maximisation and improvement of return on investment from owners’ existing machines. According to JLG, to “get your fleet talking”, users can wirelessly connect to their equipment to identify a machine’s fuel and battery level at a glance; perform diagnostics without moving a step using the app’s built-in analyser feature; unearth new depths of equipment data and actionable insights about use, uptime, maintenance history — and more.
“A new era of streamlined fleet management and communication is at thumb’s reach,” describes Hahessy.
Standard on new JLG machines
Addressing some common queries about the ClearSky Smart Fleet, he adds that the necessary hardware (CS550) for the solutions will be installed on new JLG machines during their production and, as standard equipment, will not have any installation fee. Existing JLG products will continue using legacy ClearSky for their connected needs.
Users of the new ClearSky Smart Fleet will also be able to see the data from the new solution as well as the legacy ClearSky in the new web portal, where both data sets are viewable and are sent as one consolidated API data feed.
According to JLG, the ClearSky Smart Fleet’s API technology makes managing any size of mixed fleet “more actionable than ever”. With 35 unique data points, the enhanced, rich data feed paints a more vivid picture of users’ equipment activity and status, while enabling access to machine hours down to a fractional level.
With easy integration of the data into exiting ERP systems, users of the new ClearSky Smart Fleet have the choice of viewing the data via a custom, personalised portal or reviewing it in raw format. The data feed can also be shared with any software provider to enable centralised data viewing. Also, by using JLG’s straightforward integration guide, users can connect to the API and pull data for their entire fleet and display that data anywhere needed in order to drive decision making, maximise organisational efficiency and improve return on investment.
“We’ll adapt as our technology evolves and develop new features to meet the needs of a changing industry,” adds James, emphasising that JLG will keep evolving the platform in future, bringing more added value for customers and continuing to deliver an “industry-leading, intuitive user experience”.
More information about the JLG ClearSky Smart Fleet is available at https://smartfleet.jlg.com/