Hilti ONTrack 3.0 Designed to Maximize Efficiency and Reduce Lost Tools
The Hilti ONTrack Asset Management System 3.0 provides consultation, implementation, and customer care for the complete line of Hilti tools. According to Hilti’s research, companies lose more than $1 billion in tools, consumables, and commodities each year. The majority of these end up in the hands of people that didn’t come across them by legal means. When we looked into jobsite security, several companies told us they had ideas under development. That includes systems like Milwaukee One-Key and DeWalt Tool Connect. In fact, Hilti has been working on its solution since 2011.
Hilti ONTrack Overview
The primary function of the Hilti ONTrack 3.0 system involves keeping track of what tools are out, who they’ve been checked out to, and what site they’re on. The idea behind On Track is nothing new—we’ve been using whiteboards and spreadsheets to track this information for a long time now.
Hilti makes it easier by using an RFID/bar code scanning system with a unique ID number. Any team member can download the app and scan bar codes to check out tools from the warehouse or at the jobsite. Taking it to another level of efficiency, Hilti’s scanner can read the RFID tag by just sweeping it over the box to see exactly what’s inside.
Checking Tools Out and In with Hilti On Track
The implications are profound. A warehouse manager can now scan an entire box of tools in just a few seconds while the project manager verifies on screen that he has everything he needs. Using the app or a second scanner, the project manager can scan the boxes. Do this at the beginning and end of each day to ensure your employees have returned all the tools.
When it comes to returning tools to the warehouse (or to double-check before you leave the jobsite), the manager again only has to make a quick sweep to see that all the tools have been returned. Not only does Hilti ONTrack tell the manager how many tools have been returned, but it also tells him exactly which tools were returned. Rather than seeing 20 tools were brought back, he now knows that 19 of them were the ones he checked out to you, but that someone swapped an SF 10W-A18 Drill for an SID A-18 Impact Driver. Managers can ensure that the exact tools checked out have been returned down to the serial number.
Tool Tracking, But No GPS…Yet
Beyond simple check-out/check-in, Hilti ONTrack software shows the physical locations of where the check-out occurred. While not yet GPS-enabled, you select the jobsite so you can track the distribution of your tool assets. You can also keep track of service considerations such as standard maintenance, certification, calibration, and inspections. The system can tell you when it’s time to take a tool out of service for scheduled maintenance or retirement. No more guessing when it’s time or where it is.
Hilti ONTrack RFID Tool-Tracking
Hilti ONTrack uses a unique RFID/bar code system. You can place stickers on tools, accessories, and consumable packaging. That means they work on anyone’s tools, not just Hilti’s. Whether it’s a power tool, ladder, or drill bit, you can track it. I know what you’re thinking, “a sticker is going to last about as long as a cowboy riding El Diablo in a bull riding competition on my jobsite.” This is Hilti we’re talking about. They designed these nine-layer tags to stand up to the worst you can throw at them. We caught Hilti reps tossing tagged tools into a mixer along with broken concrete pieces just to show how tough they are.
App Control via the Cloud
The cloud-based system grants you access via an app on any web-enabled device. The subscription has an unlimited number of users rather than the per-user fee that normally accompanies asset management software.
Hilti ONTrack Unite
Hilti ONTrack Unite provides a new open Application Programming Interface (API) for software integration. The Hilti On Track Unite platform transforms an often complex and manual set of data management tasks into a seamless digital experience. It imports and unifies data from multiple sources, increasing data quality and consistency. Hilti On Track Unite also automates processes involving ONTrack Tool Tracking and Asset Management and other software.
Hilti designed the platform to support two main integration scenarios. Customers can use off-the-shelf integrations available on the marketplace or create their own integrations by leveraging the ONTrack Unite open API. The company even provides documentation to developers so they can easily build scalable integrations.
Software developers can offer all of their customers integrated solutions that tie ONTrack with their developed application(s). Then, they can make these apps available on the integration marketplace. Supported integrations already include Fieldwire, Trackunit, Procore, and Viewpoint, a leading construction Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Additional integrations should come onboard soon.
Remote Support
Hilti also provides on-site or remote support to get you up to speed and help you maximize your newfound efficiency. There’s a dedicated hotline to get immediate assistance if you run into any questions or issues. For more information, check out the Hilti website.
