Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/620628
EquipmentWorld.com | January 2016 27 innovations | continued site to those involved; it's information that makes the job easier." InSite FleetEdge, provides actionable machine information such as productiv- ity tracking, maintenance prioritization, fuel savings estimation and project time management. Vermeer says this tool also helps with operator training, since it can report on how well an operator is doing compared recommended load- ings, thrust, rotation and pullback on a drill. Instructions from the program can prompt the operator to, for instance, speed up their tramming or increase their rpms. InSite Mapping, which Vermeer describes as the "white board for the bore," uses a GPS-driven receiver to white line, or mark, the proposed bore ahead of time, then sending the data to InSite Projects for planning. During the bore, a crew can record obstacles, such a tree that's in the bore path. After the bore is complete, you can use any re- ceiver that pairs with Vermeer's system to walk the bore path and record it as an as-built. You can use a smart phone or tablet to record the information directly into Projects, making it available to anyone on a project team. InSite BoreAssist is used during drill- ing, designed as a digital alternative to rod-by-rod logs on a clipboard. Devel- oped with locator manufacturer DCI, the on-rig app shows the bore plan on DCI's Aurora display in the operator station; the bore plan is loaded into the display and the operator follows the rod-by-rod plan. The bore head's posi- tion is tracked directly from the DCI F5 locator used by a crew member walking the bore path. The operator can note in-field deviations from the bore plan; if a simple modification is required, it can be created on the display, saved and sent to the office. "We don't believe we are done," Copeland says. "This type of project doesn't have an end." Vermeer also sees possibilities for the tools in contrac- tor markets beyond horizontal boring. "Every contractor is faced with the chal- lenge of growing their profit margins, and that's much easier to do with the productivity gains that tools like this can give," Copeland says. Paperwork is one of the true thorns in a contractor's existence. While an ex- cellent office staff can help keep this tiger tamed, many contractors feel too tied their desks, buried in work that takes them away from the in-field work they love. Vermeer's InSite Productivity Tool suite – which can be used as a whole or in part depending on a contractor's needs – takes aim at this situa- tion. This is an example of a manufacturer looking beyond the iron and taking a holistic view of solving a contractor pain point. – Marcia Gruver Doyle Why we like this product The team behind Vermeer's InSite Productivity Tools. With InSite Mapping, users get a "white board for the bore," accessible in the field on smart phone, tablet or laptop.