Damage-prevention specialist ShockWatch has created EquipCommand 3.0 software for use with a dashboard for management and operator monitoring of forklift status and activities. A manager can host EquipCommand on a personal workstation or server.

The dashboard "makes it easy to identify challenges as well as areas of improvement", says Kerri Lusk-Barnes, vice president of product safety with ShockWatch in Dallas.

Work on the product idea began in February 2009. Over the last year, ShockWatch provided early versions of EquipCommand, most recently version 2.2.3, to the market and worked with multiple customers globally in detailed testing of version 3.0.

EquipCommand software replaces ShockWatch legacy platforms including ShockMate, EquipManager and UsageManager.

The version 3.0 dashboard "has been geared to provide customers with the needed tools to better analyze and manage their fleet performance," says Daniel Hafen, ShockWatch product manager for equipment monitors. "Productivity levels have increased due to the unique workstation in which each manager is able to monitor operations."

Economic conditions and the need to find cost savings led ShockWatch to develop software enabling "company managers to right-size their fleet, decrease forklift-related damage and find peak efficiency", the company says. EquipCommand facilitates data collection for better fleet management, provides a clear and concise forklift report analysis, delivers tools for management to build an effective plan and has capability for a phased approach allowing for customised adjustments.

By providing analysis, evaluation and planning details, a manager can focus on the implementation of an "action plan backed with quality metrics that are proven to help achieve desired goals", Hafen notes.

Through the onboard system, "we offer operators the ability to interface with tools (that) indicate issues related to safety and maintenance", Hafen says. Forklift operators' "proper use of the safety checklist will provide up-to-date information to one to their manager's dashboard check list widgets. This puts the operators in a position to help manage their own safety, keep trucks running at the optimum levels and avoid downtime."

In operation since 1976, ShockWatch is a unit of Dallas-based Media Recovery Inc.