Why GPS is Important for Construction Companies

Locating large and small assets on a large construction project site can be both inconvenient and time-consuming. Repeated jobsite searches could possibly even result in delayed operations. With comprehensive GPS software for construction sites, there is no need to call around the site searching for equipment. GPS technology allows construction companies to track and locate large construction equipment in real-time. Similarly, asset tracking technology can also help construction companies protect smaller equipment. Furthermore, when connected to cloud technology, these systems can gather and analyze important location-based data on a company’s heavy equipment. 

Using specialized construction technology has a variety of benefits both for you and your clients. Read on to learn more about asset tracking and GPS technology for construction sites—and how it can save time, reduce expenses, and maximize the client satisfaction of your construction projects.

How does GPS work?

A GPS tracking device interacts with satellites that are continuously transmitting signals to pinpoint locations. GPS systems may use over eight satellites at once. This allows the location calculation to be accurate to within 100 feet. Construction sites require this high level of accuracy because they are complex, highly active workplaces. Site managers cannot afford to waste time wondering about the location of various assets.

4 reasons why GPS technology is important for construction

Operational efficiency can be the difference between a successful construction project and one that suffers from delays and unforeseen expenses. With the right technology, construction site managers ensure the entire team benefits from higher productivity and improved safety. 

In order to efficiently manage a construction site, different types of GPS technology are needed for different types of equipment. Specific GPS solutions are available for vehicles, powered assets, and unpowered assets. Regardless of type, GPS technology is important to successful construction projects for following reasons:

1. On-site vehicle and large equipment location tracking: With GPS, you can monitor the real-time location of your large assets and oversee all the moving parts of the jobsite remotely. This can enable you to monitor how effectively you are utilizing fuel, vehicles, and employees. GPS solutions can also provide you with automated inventory reporting, giving you access to a visual map of all your assets on one platform. 

2. Proper equipment maintenance: GPS technology lets you monitor the usage of your large construction equipment and helps you reduce downtime or prevent breakdowns of frequently used equipment. These systems will not only track your large equipment’s usage, but can also provide customized preventative maintenance alerts for specific equipment and vehicles.

3. Theft: In the unfortunate event of a large equipment theft from your construction site, GPS technology can help you locate and retrieve the missing asset. Furthermore, when using GPS solutions with geofencing capabilities like Samsara’s, you can instantly receive alerts when a tracked asset leaves a certain perimeter. Not only is having real-time GPS location important in removing any guesswork regarding an asset’s location, it can be very helpful to have this information to share with authorities in case of theft. 

4. Data-based resolution of client disputes: In the event of a disputed invoice, construction GPS technology can provide data to prove that your team was on site and on time for the job. Having digital evidence is a simple and effective way to ensure that everyone is paid fairly for their work.  

What features should your GPS tracking solution include? 

To receive the maximum benefits of using GPS for construction sites, your GPS tracking solution should include the following features: 

• Maintenance Alerts: It can be difficult to determine and keep track of when your equipment needs to undergo maintenance. GPS technology products like Samsara’s Vehicle Gateway allow you to schedule preventive maintenance based on factors such as engine hours, mileage, or time period. By using remote vehicle diagnostics, engine utilization, and fault code alerts, it is possible to both prevent breakdowns and reduce downtime. In addition, idling alerts can lower fuel costs and also identify behaviors that cause breakdowns. 

• Asset Utilization Reports: Asset utilization reports enable you to optimize your assets and reduce overhead costs. Tracking data such as fuel consumption or idling time not only allows you to rightsize your fleet, but also lets you easily determine which of your assets are underutilized and should be moved to sites with higher demand. 

• Geofencing: Geofencing uses GPS to create a virtual boundary of a real geographical location. These boundaries, known as geofences, allow for the detection of theft and unauthorized asset movement. Products with geofencing capabilities, like Samsara asset trackers, send an alert when your equipment crosses a geofence without authorization. In the event of an emergency, Samsara’s Live Sharing Links also provide an easy way to share location information with officials in real time. 

• Anti-theft properties: When equipment goes missing, having a way to recover your assets quickly is imperative. Selecting a GPS solution with anti-theft features can help with theft prevention and recovering assets in a timely manner. Samsara’s GPS tracking solutions have customizable ping rates, which means that you can remotely adjust the frequency of ping rates to best meet your current requirements. Each tracker is also manufactured with an easily camouflaged surface that will bond with any standard spray paint. This allows the device to be discreetly attached to valuable assets, making it difficult for unauthorized removal or use. 

How Ghilotti Bros use GPS Tracking to improve operational efficiency and protect their employees 

Construction company Ghilotti Bros., Inc is regarded as one of the most forward-thinking construction firms in the San Francisco Bay Area. To protect their 175 employees, equipment, and brand, the company found an integrated management solution in Samsara. Combining real-time GPS data with that of sensors, dash cameras, and mobile apps, Samsara’s platform provides end-to-end visibility, allowing Ghilotti Bros. to increase safety and efficiency. 

Reliable GPS tracking in Samsara Vehicle Gateways and Asset Gateways allow Ghilotti Bros. to improve their efficiency with real-time fleet and asset tracking. Despite having many vehicles and pieces of high-value equipment spread out across multiple jobsites, the company can track down their machines quickly and conveniently with Samsara. This saves Ghilotti Bros. dozens of man-hours by avoiding time-consuming yard hunts and unnecessary equipment transfers. 

Samsara also tracks the usage of Ghilotti Bros. vehicles, powered assets, and unpowered assets in order to provide customized preventative maintenance reports and alerts. For example, vehicles driving over dirt or gravel on jobsites will need relatively more tire changes than a vehicle that mainly drives over paved roads. Using these preventive maintenance features, the company can both cut maintenance costs and maximize equipment uptime. 

The Samsara platform’s safety tools are another huge benefit for Ghilotti Bros., who consider worker safety a top priority. The company has logged 375,000 accident and injury-free man-hours since March 2017. 

With their commitment to safety and operational efficiency, Samsara helps like-minded businesses such as Ghilotti Bros. to reach and maintain their success. 

3 ways an asset tracking solution can help safeguard your small equipment

In addition to large equipment and heavy-duty machinery, construction companies also require small equipment to support their operations. Small construction equipment such as concrete saws, portable pumps, skip loaders, porta potties, laser levels, pallet jacks, and more are vital for the success of various construction projects. Despite their importance, the miniature size of small assets make them especially susceptible to theft and loss. Construction site managers need a better method to track and locate small equipment, so they can keep their field crew operating at peak efficiency and deliver construction jobs on time.

A real-time asset tracking solution offers construction companies a way to protect their small equipment. Going beyond GPS technology, modern asset tracking solutions such as Samsara Asset Tags use an industrial network comprising millions of devices to provide real-time visibility into equipment location. Below are 3 ways an asset tracking solution can help protect your small construction equipment:

1. Reduce downtime and job disruption: Ensure that front-line construction workers remain productive and efficient by providing them with the necessary tools to complete critical construction jobs. By tracking essential assets, construction companies can prevent delays and minimize revenue loss.

2. Mitigate theft and recover valuable assets: With a small, discreet, and ruggedized tag, construction companies can significantly reduce equipment theft, cut down on time spent searching for construction tools, and decrease resources used in locating small equipment in the field.

3. Simplify inventory management and audits: Real-time data allows for easier asset inventory management, ensuring accurate write-offs, informed purchasing decisions, and more streamlined construction equipment audits.

How Desilva Gates uses Asset Tags to protect their small equipment 

DeSilva Gates, a construction company based in California, uses Samsara Asset Tags to add a layer of protection to their most high-value assets. By discreetly deploying Asset Tags on their small assets, as well as their large assets as a backup tracker to existing Asset Gateways, they now have real-time visibility into all of their assets, enabling effective tracking and recovery of stolen assets. Asset Tags use the Samsara Network, an industrial network comprising millions of devices that give organizations near real-time visibility across all of their assets. "I wanted to test the network’s coverage so I installed it on my pickup truck,” said Rich Poppoff, Equipment Superintendent. “It registered on the Samsara Network, even in rural areas where none of our job sites are located.”

With the enhanced tracking capabilities, DeSilva Gates is not only able to deter theft but also improve inventory management—enabling them to improve efficiency and better protect their $200 million equipment fleet.

“Asset Tag allows us to reinforce existing location tracking on our high-value assets and, for the first time, add tracking to smaller assets that we couldn't track before,” said Poppoff.

Asset Tracking technology for construction firms 

The uses for GPS in construction are numerous and increasing. GPS solutions like Samsara’s can assist you in managing every stage of your construction projects by tracking equipment, monitoring asset utilization, and ensuring the safety of everyone on site. Thanks to Samsara’s real-time GPS tracking systems, you can have peace of mind knowing the exact location of your vehicles and equipment, save time avoiding yard hunts, and optimize your operational efficiency with automated inventory reports. And thanks to Samsara Asset Tags, you can now locate and track small, mission-critical assets easily—enabling you to improve operational efficiency and minimize revenue loss.

The construction industry involves countless moving parts. Keeping track of these parts while also maximizing safety and efficiency can be a difficult job. Asset Tracking technology is a cost-effective solution that enables your construction projects to be highly efficient and ensures the security of your assets. 

For more information, reach out to Samsara for a free trial, or learn more about our solutions in the construction industry.