Tool loss is rampant on worksites, so much so that contractors often find themselves replacing 30% or more of their tools during a project. The costs add up, and as profit margins shrink, they matter more. Rather than writing off tool loss as a given, United Rentals customers can take advantage of a new, automated Bluetooth tool tracking system that minimizes tool loss while providing exactly the tools workers need where and when they need them.

ProBox OnDemand is an industry-leading IoT solution that leverages Bluetooth asset tracking tags affixed to tools stored in a patented tool storage box. It provides instant visibility and accountability with minimal manual effort and no setup required on the part of the customer.

A telematics gateway inside the unit reads each tag. When a tool is removed, its location is tracked as it moves through the jobsite by telematic devices in nearby construction equipment or by Bluetooth gateways placed in strategic locations throughout the site. At any point, managers can view a tool’s location via a desktop or mobile app.

Thanks to access management, the Bluetooth tool tracking system provides not only the location of each tool but also the identity of the borrower. To open the ProBox OnDemand, a worker swipes an ID badge or enters an assigned PIN. When a tool is removed, the tool is assigned to that worker. Access to the unit is restricted to workers with permission to check out tools.

Real-time location tracking enables fast retrieval

At the end of the workday, the system automatically creates a tool inventory status report. If any tools have gone missing, configurable text or email alerts provide timely notification.

To retrieve missing tools, managers can contact the worker who checked out the tool and request that it be returned to the box. In the event the worker has lost the tool or a worker from another craft has “borrowed” it, real-time location data allows managers to quickly locate and retrieve it. Time-stamped transaction reports verify which tools a worker removed from the box and when.

Accurate results shrink or eliminate tool loss

In a recent pilot, a large mechanical contractor saw a remarkable 0% tool loss over a 30-week period when using the ProBox OnDemand on a large, multi-story building project. In the only incident in which tools went missing, the tools were retrieved the next morning.

Customers who have used the solution have found that when tools are tracked, workers become much more cognizant of the need to return them.

Customizable inventory increases wrench time

United Rentals can custom stock the box for any project or jobsite area so that workers have the tools they need close at hand, reducing or eliminating time-wasting hunts for tools. The unit accommodates small, medium and large tools.

Unlike many tool tracking solutions, the ProBox OnDemand is manufacturer agnostic; it can read and report on rental tools from any manufacturer, giving customers the widest possible tool selection.

Renting alleviates the burden of tool ownership

Renting tools for a project instead of purchasing them has proven advantages. It relieves the responsibility of tool maintenance and repair and preserves capital budgets for other expenses. In addition, it often results in reduced overall tool spending, especially when a partner such as United Rentals assists with tool tracking through the ProBox OnDemand or a managed tool trailer.

Utilization data informs tool planning

Utilization data generated by the ProBox OnDemand helps customers control tool spending and right-size their tool inventories. Visibility into utilization allows managers to reduce the number of under-utilized tools they rent and ensure that high-demand tools are readily available to support maximum productivity.

Understanding how tool utilization varies over the course of craft curve enables customers to better predict their tool needs at each stage of similar projects in the future.

Tool tracking is smart way to increase productivity and protect profits. The best tool tracking system for jobsites is one that is flexible, convenient to use and delivers accurate results. Compared to manual tool tracking solutions, which may create more hassle than they’re worth, the ProBox OnDemand automates tool tracking, potentially saving time, labor and money while allowing customers to use the rental tools of their choice to get work done.

Contact the United Rentals Tools Solutions Group for all your tooling needs, including custom-stocked ProBox OnDemand solutions for your next project.