Computer smarts

"Eyes in the sky" help improve equipment management, customer satisfaction
GlobalTRACS from Qualcomm is an integrated, wireless equipment management solution that can help rental companies get the most out of their equipment investments. "This tool tracks usage to help you bill for actual hours, spot unauthorized use, and avoid costly over- and under-servicing of equipment," says Tim McCrady with Qualcomm. "The system monitors critical machine health, issuing alerts when an engine overheats or another monitored system on the machine breaches, helping prevent costly engine damage. Virtual fences around the equipment help protect your assets from loss due to theft by proactively notifying you if equipment moves outside a predetermined boundary or is started after hours."

GlobalTRACS can be easily integrated into your rental business, says McCrady. "Our web-based interface requires only a browser for anywhere-anytime access," he says. "The system can also be integrated with existing back-office operations, billing and maintenance software - including automatic updating of all systems with the collected data."

GlobalTRACS also allows your rental customer to log in and see how the equipment is being used. "If it's a long-term rental, they can see if the equipment is being used or if it's just sitting on the jobsite. The rental customer will appreciate the added benefits of theft protection, unauthorized use and managing the utilization of the rental assets."

McCrady feels that the GlobalTRACS system can be used for any size rental company. "Regardless of the size, rental businesses all have the same problems - proper billing, maintenance, hours of operation, and asset protection," he explains. "Their business is really a logistics business. They have to provide equipment at the right time, right place and at the lowest costs. This system helps them do that, as well as helps them record the actual hours of operation for proper billing and make sure the equipment is maintained on schedule."

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS ...

What's the best piece of advice you can give to a rental business when it comes to computer software systems?

• "Over the years more than 100 rental management systems have been marketed," says Bob Shaffer with Point-of-Rental. "Most of these companies are out of business. Your software provider should have a proven record of excellence. They should have systems installed in hundreds of stores and be willing to provide you with a list of at least 100 references using the product they are trying to sell you. It's your job to get this list and randomly call at least 10 companies that have an inventory mix similar (tools, party, sales and service) to yours. Your questions to ask are basically common sense: Would you buy the product again? How would you rate their support? Did the system meet the promises of the salesperson?"
• Michael Stilwagner with Wynne Systems agrees, stating, "Trust the proven."
• "My advice would be to make sure that the system you're considering can handle the unusual aspects of the rental business as well as a standard transaction," says Jack Shea with Solutions by Computer. "Ask to see how the software handles equipment substitutions, price overrides, overbooking, security levels for employees, and other demands of the business - even if they come up only occasionally. When they do arise, your system needs to be able to handle them."
• "If you don't have any rental management software now, get a package that has been developed for the rental industry and start using it to help run your business," says Ray Bonestroo with Genisys. "If you already have a rental management software package, start using it to it's full potential and get the most out of your investment. Remember, your rental software supplier should be a partner with you, a company that you can talk to, returns calls prompltly and gets suggestions implemented quickly."