The internet of things (IoT) has made leaps and bounds in an effort to improve productivity the last 20 years. It has significantly improved things such as reducing operational costs, protecting assets, and decreasing bottle necks. Many companies have been slow to adopt these powerful tools, and we are here to help improve the process. Whether you’re a long time GPS user, or looking into tracking for the first time, these tips can help anyone.

It may seem like the smart cost saving option to track your assets together in bulk or 1 in every 10. We find in a lot of circumstances that it is more beneficial to put a tracking unit on every single asset. For example, if you run a construction company that only 20% of assets on a job site, you will have an idea of where that group is. However, what happens if one of the assets without a tracking device goes missing? If ALL the assets are tracked, you would know it’s status instantly. Whether it is being relocated, having maintenance, in a strange location on the yard, or even stolen.

A mistake we see with a lot with companies is restricting access to segments of the company that could benefit from more information. It is understandable to restrict access to high value cargo and contract obligations, but most cases, it’s not necessary. In short, giving asset tracking capabilities to more employees can help reduce needless communications and reduce frustrations within an organization.

Upon getting any new tracking system, it is best to plan out what hardware is tracking what asset before you mount it. With an excel sheet write out every asset you will be tracking and organize them in a logical manner. Try to involve only a few key members in this step so to avoid over complicating. It will make installations and database creation much smoother.

We find that some new customers tend to use technology for the sake of keeping up with the times. However, it will be much more beneficial in the long run to sit down with multiple departments and find individual pain points. In addition, this new technology can help reduce friction in the business cycle when used correctly. If you spend the time to find these issues, you can then put a plan into action with the new data. This can help not only in reducing friction, but also save money in places you would never have thought.

Want to learn more about asset tracking assets? Send us a message!

Are you maximizing your productivity?

How often do you feel like you could squeeze more out of your work day? If you’re like me, then it’s a probably pretty often. We are always trying to find the right tool or technique to help with organization or procrastination. As a result, people realize they aren’t machines. We can’t always download some magical app and instantly become the most efficient workhorse of all time. It takes a little time, patience and a desire to learn. The people who desire to become better are the people who come out on top. 

How we can help

Lat-Lon has the tools to improve your quality of life and increase your productivity. Our easy to learn software combined with the top of the line rugged hardware will in fact make your day more productive. Spend less time worrying if your cargo is going to get somewhere, and more time on developing way to make it get there faster. 

How data made my life easier

As a marketer, the technology that changed my life, and my perspective on productivity was google analytics. In a field where most of my work is to create content and to make things look nice; traffic statistics and click rates are sometimes far from the mind. When I truly learned how to interpret the data and the correlation it had to my workflow, my life became exponentially more productive. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel every time something failed, it’s about finding what works, and how to maximize the output.

How big data can help you

Here at Lat-Lon we strive to make our customers lives easier. Our products are designed to give you all the necessary data to maximize your productivity. Imagine that you’re a rail fleet manager who can’t understand why some lines never seem to get out of a yard on time. How do you find out where your assets are without calling a yard and hoping to find an answer? With our user-friendly Web-based software, you can easily see exactly where your train is, how long it has been sitting, and a whole lot more with our customizable sensors.

“But I already have fleet management software”

We love that! It means you are well on your way to maximizing your asset potential. Our products can easily report to your current software and give you the data to push your assets to where they need to be.

Where do I start?

Click this button to learn how

The new Hazardous Location Solar Tracking Unit:

Lat-Lon, LLC (“Lat-Lon”), a subsidiary of BSM Technologies Inc. (TSX: GPS), announced today the launch of its new 15K Hazardous Location Solar Tracking Unit (“STU15K-HL”) hardware device.  The STU15K-HL is the latest version of Lat-Lon’s most popular tracking and monitoring hardware device, specifically designed to withstand hazardous conditions.  Upgrades to the STU15K-HL include the Lat-Lon certified category one 4G modem with 3G rollback, extended power capabilities for longer life in the dark, and enhanced geo-item options.  Decreased power draws results in more frequent reporting on location and sensor data from the STU15K-HL. In addition, impact and wireless sensor options continue to be available on the STU15K-HL.

What is a Hazardous Location?

“Hazardous locations are areas where flammable liquids, gases or vapors or combustible dusts exist in sufficient quantities to produce an explosion or fire. In hazardous locations, specially designed equipment and special installation techniques must be used to protect against the explosive and flammable potential of these substances,” as defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Publication 3073.  The STU15K-HL is certified for Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2 and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.

“The STU15K-HL enables our customers to receive more frequent messages on both locations and valuable sensor data.  The tireless efforts by our engineering team allow Lat-Lon to offer the highest quality product to our customers for advanced reporting in hazardous locations.  The chemical industry just gained a valuable tool to use for collection of data on their shipments” said Ms. Amy Boehm, Vice-President at Lat-Lon.

The STU15K-HL can be used on tank cars and tank trailers to monitor conditions of hazardous material during shipment. It is the perfect tool for any container that needs Class 1 Div 2 monitoring.

About Lat-Lon, LLC

Founded in 1999, Lat-Lon, LLC, is located in Denver, Colorado and provides wireless GPS tracking and monitoring solutions for mobile or stationary assets.  Lat-Lon’s key products include a solar-powered GPS monitoring systems (STUs) for railcars and trailers and a locomotive monitoring unit (LMU) that allows fleet managers to know the condition and location of their assets in near real-time.  For further information, please contact Lat-Lon at 877-300-6566 or visit www.lat-lon.com.  Lat-Lon is a subsidiary of BSM Technologies Inc. (TSX: GPS).  For more information, please visit http://www.bsmtechnologies.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

For inquiries, please contact:

Amy Boehm
Vice-President, Lat-Lon
Lat-Lon, LLC
(416) 675-1201
aboehm@www.lat-lon.com

Rail Yard Tech

How many freight trucks did you share the highway with during your road trip this summer?  According to Forbes.com, it was less than last year and even fewer than the year before. A trend that is expected to continue in the coming years.

Why? There are several factors, but topping the list are advancements in rail yard technology, the fluctuating price of diesel, and improved delivery speeds. More and more freight traffic has shifted from roads to rails, where trains can move one ton of goods about 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel.

How telematics connect the rail yard

Telematic monitoring solutions do so much more for rail operators than merely ensuring their cargo gets delivered on time and in the right condition. Solutions such as Connected Rail Yard from Lat-Lon provide real-time reporting on location, temperature, and weight. This information is displayed on a simplified dashboard. Along with usage data to help rail fleets and operators improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of network operations.

More than dollars

As if running a tighter rail operation and saving money wasn’t enough, telematics offers huge safety benefits for the people working for you. Connecting your rail yard enables you to institute the appropriate safety protocols required at regional and federal levels. It also provides a way for your rail operators to more efficiently meet compliance and safety requirements. Railroad Technology helps with HOS logs and inspections, with sensors to measure acceleration, temperature, and impact, as well as hazardous material tracking.

You CAN have it all

There are many companies in the telematics field that can monitor and report on usage and other metrics, and there’s another handful that use solar energy to monitor powerless assets (i.e., rail cars). The difference with BSM and Lat-Lon lies in the power of leveraging both technologies to bring a truly integrated monitoring and reporting experience to our customers.

Now that we have your attention

We dove deep into the ins and outs of the 21^st-century rail yard and the benefits of connecting it in our whitepaper: 5 Keys to Improving Rail Yard Visibility. We encourage you to read it and then reach out to us so we can discuss how BSM and Lat-Lon can customize the Connected Rail Yard for your organization.

This week the Blog Crew is sitting down with Grant Dunbar, a product manager in the construction and rail verticals at BSM to dive into how companies within the industrial assets sector are leveraging the IoT (Internet of Things) to connect their assets.

BC: Thanks for chatting with us today, Grant.

GD: Absolutely, thanks for making time for me! I jump at any chance talk about telematics and the IoT; I’m admittedly obsessed with this topic.

BC: Aren’t telematics and the IoT the same thing?

GD: They’re related, but not the same. Telematics describes vehicular technologies and the sending, receiving, and storing of information via a cellular network link to the internet. It often includes location-based information and services enabled by GPS. The IoT on the other hand expands on that scope to include all things beyond vehicles.

BC: Like smart home devices?

GD: Exactly, only in an industrial setting the IoT connects construction vehicles, rail cars, and fleets using an internet-connected device that communicates location, power and fuel status, and usage metrics to one source.

BC: Got it. Last week a post on the BSM site dove into the connected job site. That’s all IoT, right?

GD: Yep! When you network data together through the IoT you have a 360 view of all your industrial assets, their data, and even remote-control options. Think fuel levels, remote on-off capabilities on construction sites, GPS data on rail cars, and so on.

BC: Is it essential to have GPS enabled on your devices and vehicles before implementing an IoT solution?

GD: It’s not essential but it’s certainly very common. Location is often a key data point when it comes to vehicles and movable industrial assets.

What’s essential to IoT solutions is that your asset can communicate to the portal I mentioned earlier, so it absolutely must have an internet-connected device within it. Whether a delivery van, rail car, or a hand-held power tool, if it’s connected to a network you can generate value out of its data. But as both examples show, location is often a valuable data point to transmit.

BC: Where else is the IoT being applied to industrial assets today?

GD: Traditional fleet vehicles were early adopters of telematics due to the value of location data for route optimization. The IoT has blown that scope wide open, allowing us to include all types of industrial asset deployments, from a traditional taxi fleet to industrial assets such as hy-rail vehicles, heavy equipment, light stands, generators, and boom lifts on a job site.

The other immense value of the IoT is the breadth of information that is now being collected. Asset utilization can now be measured as well as asset health. Measurements like how long an asset was on, how it’s being treated as well as its current fuel level, temperature, and fault code status provides specific actionable insights. This means efficient asset deployment, reduced cost of operations for our customers, and improved safety for their employees.

BC: What if a company has different types of vehicles or assets in their fleets?

GD: If there’s cellular or Wi-Fi connection, it can be connected to our portal largely through plug-and-play installations, but we’re no stranger to more complex or custom installs—in fact it’s something we specialize in.

Many devices exist in a variety of sizes and are powered by a fixed power connection, battery, or solar and they are all eligible. Fleets with mixed assets usually have several device types, and with BSM technology they all communicate to the same portal to provide a unified window.

 BC: How do customers know which data to collect?

GD: The right data is different for every company because it’s the data that solves a unique business issue within a specific industry, but usually focus on things like reducing costs or unlocking new revenue streams. BSM works with our customers to create custom connections to assets so they can solve what matters most to them.

 BC: What can customers do to get their fleets connected to the IoT?

GD: Start now. The speed at which we’re innovating means playing catch-up down the road becomes more difficult. If you get your fleet connected to the IoT now, then you’re updating at the pace of innovation, not completely overhauling your fleet technology later on.

As interest grows in advancing technology for transportation, the latest developments show significant incentives, and many articles stress quick adaptation. Over the past few years, content pieces have featured a few common themes: robotics (and artificial intelligence), virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technology developments have been influencing how different organizations operate and how they create products and services, individually and as a collective.  It is the IoT that has had some of the most practical applications and benefits.

The Internet of Things: An Introduction

Defined by Gartner, the IoT is a “network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal state or external environment.” [1] This simplified explanation addresses a complex, interconnected system by identifying the two key characteristics of an IoT system: a sensor and a method for communicating the sensor’s data. Basically, the IoT is composed of devices that gather information and the systems that make use of that data.

As a result of its many applications, the IoT takes a variety of forms – and has already been integrated into professional and personal functions. For some types of connected devices, the sensors simply collect data and analyze it through a software solution, such as my smartwatch sending pedometer data to an app. I then choose how to use that data, to increase my steps, or accept my activity for the day. For other systems, the analyzed data is incorporated into a system that automatically takes action, such as purchasing a needed product or scheduling a maintenance appointment.

The Internet of Things and Industry

The IoT is transforming business processes and efficiency in a wide range of fields. From smart agriculture using farming drones [2] to location- and behavior-based targeting in advertising [3], Internet-connected devices are making permanent changes in how these groups operate. Solutions provided by IoT devices and software are being used to create improvements in more industrial fields, such as manufacturing, construction and transportation.

In one case, a global manufacturer of trucks used the IoT to add a brand new, related revenue stream to their business. They have outfitted sensors to their vehicles that will transmit over 10,000 points of data for each truck every day — all focused on predicting the vehicle’s maintenance needs. Going beyond alerts to needed checks and replacements, this integrated system will also auto-schedule repair appointments and order any parts that the vehicle will need [4]. By employing the IoT, the truck manufacturer was able to add to their profits while providing more services to their clients, saving them money and time in the repair process.

On the production end, Internet-connected devices and analysis systems are being used to make improvements in manufacturing quality and efficiency. Harley-Davidson’s manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania uses the IoT to track both equipment and processes. With more detailed, data-backed insights into each step of their manufacturing system, the plant has seen huge benefits: productivity has increased by 2.4 percent and net margin received a 19 percent boost [5]. The advantages for decision-making and process efficiency can be translated to nearly any industry.

And service industries are not immune to the benefits of IoT for route optimization, better customer scheduling, and optimal inventory on hand for maximum utilization time on calls.

The Internet of Things and Lat-Lon

The benefits of the IoT, reaching far beyond what is mentioned above, is significant particularly when it comes to improving current processes and products. Internet-connected sensors and devices provide greater visibility into every system with more precise data that has real-time relevance. From tracking inventory to making processes more efficient, this information can help industrial businesses adopt leaner operations and make better decisions.

With the flexibility of Lat-Lon’s customizable solutions, the industrial IoT is attainable to all sizes of business and offers significant ROI catered to the particular enterprise.  The industrial Internet of Things can also be used to improve safety, reduce downtime for maintenance, and control costs.

At Lat-Lon, we embrace the technology that makes IoT fit your needs and help drive the industry forward. We want to pass on those advantages to each of our customers, allowing them to improve operations, make better informed decisions, and increase their bottom-line. Our solutions are designed to connect any industrial asset to the Internet, bringing that data together under one convenient platform. Specifically, our fleet and asset management solutions connect various sensors to turn their data points into reliable information that will improve fleet visibility. We also use IoT technology to offer tracking and monitoring devices as well as storage tank systems. Contact us today to learn more about how a partnership with Lat-Lon and BSM Technologies brings the advantages of the IoT to your firm.

To publicly recognize how individuals and companies are working to raise the status of the rail industry, we unveil the annual BSM Technology Innovation Award.  This year, we focused our selection on the utilization of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the rail sector.  Specifically, we have chosen to honor an individual who continues to guide far-reaching changes, using the IoT, to advance the industry.

After careful deliberation, we have selected Don Loftis, Principle Software Engineer and Rail Security Coordinator of Olin Corporation.  Don is a frequent speaker and has helped shaped industry regulation with data-driven statistics on car coupling damage.  He has been leveraging the IoT by merging data from diverse sources, free and vendor generated, for over a decade under the simple methodology that more data leads to better decisions.

“We, at BSM, are impressed with how the adoption of technology in the rail industry consistently translates into significant tangible business results, ultimately advancing the industry as a whole as well as the communities in which we all operate.  Now, more than ever, we’re seeing our industry leaders set themselves apart with creative implementations designed to address immediate and longer-term growth strategies.  With our 20+ years partnering in rail we believe we’re uniquely positioned to recognize exceptional contributions via our Innovation Award,” comments Aly Rahemtulla, BSM President & CEO.

We will be announcing the award winner, and details of their work shortly, so stay tuned for more information. The award will be presented on April 8, 2018 at the ASLRRA 2018 Connections.

The American Short and Regional Railroad Show brings together railroad officials, rail suppliers and government officials that have vested interests in the short line sector. This year’s annual convention will be held in Nashville, Tennessee. BSM and Lat-Lon, who together deliver best-in-class IoT solutions for rail, will be present at booth number 1229.  We hope to see you there and tell you more about how our solutions are integrated into databases, business practices and customer facing applications, enabling our customers, and their customers, to better manage their business.

Toronto, ON

Today, BSM Technologies, with Lat-Lon, has announced its new BSM Technology Innovation Award. The award will recognize leadership and innovation in adopting Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the rail industry. BSM & Lat-Lon, who together deliver best-in-class IoT solutions for rail, will be presenting the award at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Connections Show (ASLRRA) in April of 2018.

The winner will be recognized publicly at the ASLRRA show, prefaced by a press release and information brief on their significant contributions to IoT advancements and industry progress.

“We, at BSM, are impressed with how the adoption of technology in the rail industry consistently translates into significant tangible business results, ultimately advancing the industry as a whole as well as the communities in which we all operate.  Now, more than ever, we’re seeing our industry leaders set themselves apart with creative implementations designed to address immediate and longer-term growth strategies.  With our 2+ decades partnering in rail we believe we’re uniquely positioned to recognize exceptional contributions via our Innovation Award,” said Aly Rahemtulla, BSM President & CEO.

Dave Baker, President of Lat-Lon says “Often our customers see our solution as a stand-alone system they can use to improve efficiency.  The reality is that the best utilization of our technology is when our customers integrate the location and sensor data into their business operations.  The addition of our data into the customer’s databases, business practices and customer-facing applications fulfills the true potential of the Internet of Things.  It’s what we call virtual presence for all things shipped by train, truck or barge–and our customer’s customers love it!”

“All of us at BSM Technologies have great pride in our extensive solution portfolio, uniting all assets into one platform, and in our unique capability to deliver the right solution for our vertical customers,” adds Brendan Shaw, EVP Sales.  BSM has undergone significant growth through the merger with Webtech Wireless and acquisition of industry leaders such as Mobi Corp, JMM, and Lat-Lon.  The combined technology accelerates BSM’s ability to provide a single platform for all assets across various industries.  Lat-Lon’s highly customizable rail products complement BSM solutions, key in the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) and HOS (Hours of Service) compliance space.

About BSM Technologies Inc. (bsmwireless.com) BSM Technologies Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading provider of remote monitoring, fleet tracking, fleet maintenance and a business intelligence engine providing real time web‐based tracking of mobile and fixed assets. BSM provides solutions for rail, construction, service and government organization who manage and operate diverse assets and large fleets. Their solutions help companies enhance customer service; improve the safety of their drivers and vehicles, and lower business costs. For more information, please visit https://bsmtechnologies.com/

About Lat-Lon: Lat-Lon, LLC was founded in 1999 in Denver, Colorado and provides wireless GPS tracking and monitoring solutions for mobile assets with a specific focus on the rail market. Lat-Lon’s key products include a Locomotive Monitoring Unit (LMU) and a Solar-Powered Tracking Unit (STU) for railcars and trailers that allows fleet managers to know the condition and location of their assets at any given time.  For further information contact Lat-Lon at 877-300-6566 or visit www.lat-lon.com

###

According to  the US Department of Transportation, “In 2013 the U.S. transportation system moved a daily average of about 55 million tons of freight valued at more than $49.3 billion”.  Water transport accounted for 808 million tons in 2013, with projections to increase to 1,070 million tons by 2040.  This growth in Inland Marine Transport stresses the need for efficiency in freight transport, and IoT solutions offering safety, ROI, and ease of use are critical to make it happen.

IoT statistics are astounding.  According to Vision Critical, “in 2015, there were about 15.4 billion connected devices. According to IHS, this number will grow to 30.7 billion in 2020, and 75.4 billion by 2025.” And Intel’s forecasted 200 billion connected devices by 2020.  B2B IoT devices will fundamentally transform the way organizations do business with other companies, and will impact every industry.

What are the $’s?

For 2016, spending around the world for IoT $737 billion. IDC predicts that by 2020, this number will reach $1.29 trillion, a compound annual growth rate of 15.6 percent. GE claims IoT will add $10-$15 TRILLION to GDP globally by 2030.

According to General Electric, the IoT will add $10 to $15 trillion to worldwide GDP growth by 2030—the equivalent of China’s entire current

Are you on Board?

This year, 60 percent of global manufacturers will use analytics data recorded from connected devices to analyze processes and identify optimization possibilities, according to IDC and SAP.  One implementer, saw tangible efficiency almost immediately through easy installation of near real-time GPS.  Read More…