Bauma Report: Caterpillar
It was around 3 a.m. when the CE newswire lit up like a Christmas tree. It was 9 a.m. in Munich, Germany, and our Bauma correspondent and managing editor Keith Gribbins was sending word from the construction industry’s (if not the world’s) largest trade show. This is just the first update of many updates from the trade show floor. We’ll now throw it over to Gribbins.
…
KG: “Guten Tag from Bauma! The show floor is packed — the sea of people swells around booths making monumental announcements and showing off awesome new machines.”
CE: Glad you made it safely, Keith. What’s the mood over there?
KG: “Safe is the key word. The volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded many of the Europe-bound editors. After commandeering a skid steer to escape the crowds at the ticket booth, I befriended a local pilot and chartered a bi-plane through the cloud of ash. We had a few close calls, but made it in one piece. As a result, I’m one of only a few American editors here at the show. Despite the American press presence, the mood at Bauma is positive and the atmosphere was electric in the first hour on the trade floor. Here is the first word from the show — new releases from Caterpillar. More updates to follow. Gribbins out!”
Next-Gen Caterpillar Fleet Management
The Cat Product Link fleet management solution is being expanded in 2010 to boost user benefits. Additional hardware options enabled with cellular technology and a new user friendly web based application with enhanced features and new capabilities will improve overall fleet-management effectiveness.
The VisionLink application will replace Product Link’s current user interface with powerful tools and features for processing and conveying information to users and dealers. Essential tools to manage an entire fleet of equipment include mapping, working and idle hours, fuel level and more. Keep machines in peak operating condition with timely notification of system events and diagnostic codes, and other machine health indicators. New utilization features will assist machine owners in using equipment more efficiently by supplying information that details working time and idle time, with trends and graphs for fuel-usage associated with each. This basic information can be applied across a fleet to draw inferences about machine efficiency and under-utilized assets.
Today, hardware is available that utilizes Low-Earth-Orbit satellites to transmit data from (and to) the machine. The new generation of Product Link will have the capability to communicate on the cellular network (GSM) adding to the family of enabling hardware and providing contractors the ability to select the right fit option for the location for which their fleet operates.
Cellular communication’s primary advantage is its wider bandwidth, which means simply that the signal can accommodate more data more frequently. Existing satellite-based hardware however, can easily be upgraded to use the new cellular technology.
Mixed-fleet compatibility
Cat Product Link is as much a part of the modern Cat machine as the engine or transmission. However, this expanded capability is extended to the entire fleet, regardless of make or model, allowing all equipment to be monitored in one secure web-based application eliminating the need to visit different applications with varying functionality.
The VisionLink application has been developed by VirtualSite Solutions, a Caterpillar and Trimble joint venture company. VirtualSite Solutions is responsible for developing solutions to transform the way owners of mixed-fleets can efficiently and safely manage their equipment fleets, reduce operating costs and improve productivity in the area of fuel consumption, maintenance, worksite productivity and fleet logistics.
With the new VisionLink application, owners of equipment from any manufacturer can use solutions available from Caterpillar technology partner, Trimble.
