Connected Assets: driving efficiency and productivity with data

Caterpillar uses data analytics and machine learning to connect assets and improve safety, productivity, and efficiency for customers globally.

In today’s world, we understand the benefits of smart devices, like GPS monitors in our automobiles that enable us to get clear directions to a destination or smart watches that help us track our activity and health biomarkers. But what does connectivity mean at Caterpillar, and why is it so important?

Data Is foundational
One thing that all ‘smart’ devices have in common is that they communicate via the internet to data platforms that collect, organise and store information. The devices then perform actions based on the collected data. For example, wearable health monitors can detect abnormal heart rhythms and alert the wearer to seek medical care before the condition reaches an emergency.

The same principles apply to Caterpillar engines and machines. Using data analytics and machine learning, they can predict critical service events – providing customers with information to help avoid unplanned downtime or identify a potential problem before it grows into a larger, more costly repair.

But it all starts with data. As we connect assets, we gather billions of data points from our products in the field and apply advanced analytics and machine learning. Then we add our engineering data. The result is ‘smart’ iron and value-add services that help customers improve safety and productivity, minimise downtime, and maximise asset utilisation.

Data is the future
The beauty of Caterpillar’s digital model is that it’s incredibly simple – it all starts with connected assets. The more assets we connect, the more data it gathers; the more data we gather, the smarter our iron becomes. And they are getting smarter every day.

Today, CAT have more than 1.2 million connected assets (machines and engines) connected globally – more than double the number of connected assets they had at the end of 2016. Each customer interaction, data point from a machine, and service event performed by a dealer feeds our digital ecosystem.

Nearly all CAT machines are now connected when delivered to a customer. Not only are they connecting their customers’ Caterpillar assets, but they are also offering holistic customer solutions by connecting entire customer fleets. Doing so enables the team to provide various work site solutions that drive efficiency and focus on productivity.

CAT has been doing this for a while
Although Caterpillar is on the leading edge of this technology in this industry, it’s certainly not new to them. For more than 20 years, Caterpillar has been connecting machines and leveraging telematics to create machine insights. And because no one knows their machines and engines as they do, it only makes sense for Caterpillar and Cat® dealers to provide customers with digital solutions that work.

Connectivity will continue to be integral to how they do business and help customers. It’s key to our future and supports:

• Remote service capabilities that allow remote troubleshooting of an asset or the ability to upload new machine software to an asset in the field from another location.

• CAT Inspect is a convenient mobile way to complete equipment inspections in the field.

• CAT App delivers simplified, streamlined telematics data directly to a user’s mobile device, monitoring machine location and health.

Data and tomorrow
The company is committed to investing in the technology necessary to maintain its industry leadership. They have some of the best and brightest minds working on products and solutions focused on digital innovation.

Caterpillar is sure to transform customer experiences in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few short years ago. And together with the customers, they are building a better, more sustainable world.

For more details, visit: https://www.caterpillar.com/