Cool Tool of the Day: STRATTEC i-Guard Theft-Deterrent System

Keeping your equipment safe just got easier, thanks to STRATTEC SecurityCorp.’s i-Guard anti-theft solution, which is developed specifically for theconstruction, fleet and rental equipment industries. Equipment theft hasescalated over the past decade across North America, with estimated lossesranging from $300 million to $1 billion annually. Of the 1,000 pieces ofequipment reported stolen each month to the National Crime Information Center,only 21 percent is ever recovered.
     
A robust theft-deterrent system now available for heavy equipment, STRATTEC’si-Guard system is based on the world’s foremost automotive anti-thefttechnology. i-Guard is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) electronicimmobilizer system that can literally safeguard costly machinery of any sizefrom unauthorized use.
     
With i-Guard, a unique electronic code is programmed into the engine module andinto a chip in the key or a Fob. The code is transmitted between the twocomponents by a small antenna via difficult-to-mimic radio frequencies. When akey is inserted into the ignition or a Fob used with a push-start button, thevehicle requests authorization. If the engine and key or Fob codes don’t match,the vehicle will not start. And, unlike easily hacked GPS technology, thei-Guard system relies on radio frequencies, which the majority of criminals donot have the skills to disable.
      
“Deploying robust security is becoming increasingly critical as equipmenttheft rates rise year after year,” said Fred Kosloske, aftermarket salesmanager, STRATTEC. “The i-Guard system not only can help keep costlyequipment from being stolen, it can help lower insurance costs, while reducingworkforce downtime and project delays.”
     
STRATTEC originally developed an RFID electronic immobilizer system for themajor automotive OEMs, which has helped reduce auto theft in the United States by anestimated 40 percent since 2001. STRATTEC specifically adapted its system forthe construction, fleet and rental equipment industries under the brand i-Guardto keep machinery secure anywhere.