What Skyline wanted
> Skyline wanted to track its tools in order to optimize how they’re used and minimize the need to buy new ones.
> Skyline has an internal asset rental system and knew that tracking tools could play a key role in the accuracy of how it bills for rentals.
> Skyline required knowing in real time where their tools are located and coordinating that information with where they’re needed.
> Skyline bills clients for tools used and felt the need to automate the expected accountability of that process.
Skyline's Journey
Skyline is tech savvy and knew about the benefits of wireless sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) before Recon Dynamics first met them. In fact, they had once implemented a trial program with a large tool manufacturer as well as a purpose built tool tracking company, but were not satisfied with the results or with the cumbersome technology of either platform. Skyline remained convinced of IoT’s benefits, however, and continued looking for a provider they were confident could meet their needs.
About Skyline
Skyline is a full-service electrical contractor in Salt Lake City, Utah specializing in commercial and residential projects of almost every size and complexity, from small jobs to multi-million-dollar projects.
Although the company has one large campus-like location, it’s typically engaged in dozens of projects across the region at the same time. This means thousands of tools, many costing a great deal, are frequently moved from job to job to job.
Why Recon Dynamics
Skyline was initially attracted to Recon Dynamics by our ability to track and help manage tools in real time. Also, by the fact that our data transmission is completely automated. This means busy field workers would be spared from having to manually scan anything or use an app or QR code to learn the location of tools.
According to Skyline’s Ben Bishop, “The automated nature and simplicity of Recon’s tracking system had huge appeal to us. They were the only company that offered us that – the only one.”
Not just tool tracking, tool usage
The Recon/Skyline relationship kicked off with our standard 6-week Starter Pack – about 50 tags and 5 receivers. During that time, Recon demonstrated that in addition to tracking location, our sensors – which sense the actual vibration or motion of a tool – can also reveal when and how long tools are used.
This is important, because if a tool isn’t being used, a manager can take it off one job and move it to another – or send it back to the main shop.
Says Bishop, “Recon’s ability to monitor tool usage gives us a more complete picture than tracking alone. It helps us avoid waste and lets us job-cost overhead accurately, so we know how profitable (or unprofitable) a job is. This helps us bid on new projects and be more competitive.”
What happened in the next months
Only Recon Dynamics can deploy wireless tracking that also reveals tool usage, and is fully automated, and generates data that’s clear and actionable. Recon’s system performed so well in trial, Skyline has deployed it on every one of its tools worth $300 or more – a total of 1,500 tags and 45 receivers.
In just four short months, Recon and Skyline went from initial contact … to launching a pilot program … to proving the system’s value … to broadly implementing the technology.
According to Bishop, “Recon’s technology and support have been awesome. We’re getting all the information we had hoped for – and more.”
In the first year they have saved weeks worth of billable hours . . .
Skyline is still ordering more tags, still finding more use cases and still finding new efficiencies from the data and customized reports that we are providing. For example, the tedious task of jobsite billing which had been estimated to take upwards of 80 hours a week has been reduced to an automated weekly report that takes minutes to process and forward to the appropriate people.
About Recon Dynamics
Recon's action-from-data service starts with patented motion-based sensors that not only track assets, they reveal actual usage and automatically transfer clear, actionable data to any device without scanning. Construction companies, electric utilities, the tree care industry and many others benefit from our systems. With a proven track record of improving efficiency, safety, and the bottom line, we'd love to hear how we can help you.
Care to learn more? Just let us know.