Providing workers the PPE, consumables and parts they need through a frictionless distribution experience boosts efficiency and productivity on projects. Automating asset distribution and inventory management saves companies endless labor hours spent on manual, repetitive processes.

United Rentals has made both dream scenarios a reality with the new Supplies OnDemand offering. Inspired by electronic inventory management systems used in the retail sector, the groundbreaking solution provides 24/7 access to inventory while automatically tracking who removes items and how many remain in stock.

A flexible, customized solution

Supplies OnDemand can take the form of a locked trailer, container or room and is custom stocked with assets necessary for project work. Employees access the interior by entering an assigned PIN on a keypad or scanning their ID badge.

Inside, assets are stored in specific locations on shelves embedded with weight sensors. When a worker removes a face shield, pair of gloves or other asset, the system registers the removal based on the change in weight. The data is sent via an internet or Ethernet connection to construction inventory management software that updates the inventory count accordingly.

Items removed are associated with the employee who coded or badged in, which creates accountability and discourages workers from stockpiling. When multiple workers occupy the trailer at the same time, a sophisticated camera system in the ceiling distinguishes them by their silhouettes and tracks their movements, including where they reach on a shelf. This allows managers to confirm who removed a particular item should a dispute arise.

Job cost allocation

On large projects, multiple departments often need access to the same inventory. Allocating costs to different job cost codes or work orders can be time-consuming. Supplies OnDemand streamlines the process.

As workers exit the secure space, they use a touchscreen to enter the item(s) they took and the job cost code for each one. A detailed transaction receipt is emailed to the worker and to their supervisor. 

Managers can use the construction inventory management software to generate reports based on the data collected, sorting by job code, time period or another parameter. Insights into inventory usage and costs can help them identify opportunities to reduce expenses.

Automatic construction inventory management 

Work can grind to a halt when employees need an item that’s not available. Supplies OnDemand helps preserve uptime by providing real-time inventory counts so staff members know when to restock.

Better yet, contractors can choose to have low stock alerts sent automatically to the appropriate vendor. Using their own assigned PIN, the vendor can enter the trailer and restock the item. The system detects the new inventory and sends the vendor and the contractor a restocking receipt.

Reducing labor strains

Labor typically constitutes 50% to 60% of the cost of any project. Reductions in labor costs can significantly improve the bottom line.

Freeing employees from the ongoing work of distributing assets, scanning barcodes and keeping inventory counts allows them to take on other, more important tasks. Safety department personnel, for example, can focus on conducting or overseeing safety training rather than handing out PPE.

Eliminating the need for manual distribution and inventory management is especially beneficial during labor shortages and on projects running multiple shifts. Unlike human beings, the Supplies OnDemand solution can provide service 24/7, every day of the year, without taking a vacation day or sick day.

With the revolutionary Supplies OnDemand, companies can maximize labor resources, drive efficiency and increase productivity, saving time and money while ensuring workers are properly equipped to do their jobs and keep projects moving on schedule.

Learn more about all of United Rentals’ innovative solutions for creating a more productive, efficient jobsite.