This year marks a truly significant milestone for RCT – Powered by Epiroc and its flagship industrial fleet management system, SmarTrack. It's a moment to reflect on how far we've come and the role we've played in shaping fleet management and safety technology as it exists today.
RCT's journey began with early machine telematics, focused on operator authentication and the collection of critical operational data. At the time, these capabilities were groundbreaking, laying the foundation for smarter, more accountable fleet operations. In true RCT style, we continued to innovate to improve the system and continue to meet clients' needs.
Therefore, not long after, we introduced operator user interfaces to further streamline interactions between humans and systems. Of course, when this was first developed, it was simple by today's standards, but revolutionary for its time.
It was a basic LCD display, featuring just three rows, containing up to 20 characters. Just enough information on the screen to display information required for operators to complete electronic pre-start checklists that could be centrally managed through an online portal.
This was an early, yet significant step towards digitising processes that were once entirely manual.
Driven by relentless innovation, these early concepts provided the cornerstone of the evolution of what we know as today's world-class SmarTrack - a renowned solution in the materials handling industry. This state-of-the-art solution has now been deployed globally, and SmarTrack represents decades of refinement, real-world testing, and continuous improvement.
Early adopters such as a well-known packaging and recycling company, played a pivotal role in validating the technology and accelerating its adoption, helping to shape the platform into what it is today.
In parallel, we were also pioneering advancements in fleet safety. One of the most notable breakthroughs was the introduction of forklift GPS Zoning. By allowing companies to draw operational zones directly on Google Earth maps and integrate them with RCT's Speed Limiter technology, businesses gained unprecedented control over vehicle speeds and site safety. Industry leaders like a major Australian integrated steel manufacturer, were among the first to embrace this innovation.
Today, terms like zoning and geofencing are commonplace across the industry, but two decades ago, they were anything but. These solutions didn't just improve efficiency; they fundamentally changed how organisations approached safety in dynamic operational environments.
As we mark this 20-year milestone, it's not just the technology we celebrate, but the vision, persistence, and partnerships that made it possible. RCT's legacy is one of innovation driven by real-world challenges and most importantly a commitment to building safer, smarter operations alongside our customers.
To learn more on these technologies, visit our landing pages:
The challenges surrounding safety and operational efficiency in the supply chain industry are ever-present. With forklifts and personnel sharing the same working space, the risk of accidents and fatalities remains high. Therefore, the necessity for innovative solutions that ensure everyone’s safety is mandatory, and a bonus that these solutions also optimise operations at the same time.
Incidents in the industry serve as stark and timely reminders of the potential hazards associated with supply chain operations. For instance, the recent tragic accident involving a forklift operator in Australia underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures.
Despite the operator having a high-risk work license and recent safety training, an unfortunate lapse resulted in a fatal outcome. This illustrates the need for robust safety protocols and advanced technology to prevent such accidents.
Earlier in the year, SafeWork NSW had launched a statewide compliance operation aimed at reducing injuries caused by mobile plant, fixed machinery, and vehicles in the workplace. To date, this operation has already resulted in over 140 notices being issued, with a significant focus on forklift safety, including managing risks such as pedestrian separation, rollover and collision prevention, and ensuring proper maintenance and inspection protocols.
At RCT, safety is our top priority. Our innovative technology is versatile and can be installed on any machine, regardless of make or model. Forklift-related incidents can be a thing of the past with some of the following solutions:
RCT’s SmarTrack Fleet Management system is essential in offering a comprehensive approach mitigating risks. From monitoring, controlling, and optimising the use of forklifts, it integrates real-time data and advanced analytics to provide operators with invaluable insights into each forklift’s performance and status. This enhances operational efficiency and enables proactive maintenance, reducing the likelihood of equipment failure and accidents.
One of the most significant advancements in supply chain safety is the implementation of RCT’s Pedestrian Alert Systems (PAS). Designed to detect and alert operators to the presence of personnel near forklifts, this system prevents accidents before they occur by providing awareness. Utilising state-of-the-art sensors and communication technology, the PAS ensures operators are always aware of their surroundings, significantly reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing overall site safety.
The supply chain industry faces unique challenges that require innovative solutions. RCT’s SmarTrack Fleet Management and Pedestrian Alert System can be combined into one integrated solution, delivering full coverage for these challenges and offering a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective way to manage supply chain operations.
Ready to invest to further protect your workforce and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry? With a comprehensive global support team, we’re ready to hear from you. Enquire now at xxxxxxxxx@xxx-xxxxxx.xxx
1. Information is power
How do people know how to enhance operations if they don’t know what exactly needs improving?
Fleet management systems provide businesses with the succinct information needed to make constructive changes to improve the operation of their fleets. This information is used to address areas to improve upon whether it be resource, asset management related or both. In some instances, businesses don’t realise there are small adjustments they can make to see operating costs reduce and productivity increase. It’s thanks to the information supplied by fleet management systems that give people the power to make the required changes needed to see compelling results.
2. Increase productivity
Increasing output, reducing machine maintenance, streamlining efficiencies and improving safety are all made possible with the help of fleet management systems and all aid in increasing productivity in business. For example, productivity can be affected when mobile machines and/or equipment are unexpectedly out of service. Fleet management solutions can alert management when servicing is due and when incidents have occurred to prevent unexpected downtime which directly affects productivity.
With SmarTrack® Fleet management, information is reported electronically, meaning management is more inclined to act upon the notification than if this was manually recorded. The out of service notification allows clients to categorise planned and unplanned maintenance which helps allocate resources and understanding to the cost of the client’s fleet. The incident reporting feature also ensures operators are more accountable for machine damage.
3. Stay compliant
Compliance is key in the business world! Obeying legal laws and regulations is of the utmost importance to avoid incidents and fines and fleet management systems can help. Fleet management systems can ensure only licensed, qualified personnel can access equipment; preventing any unauthorised use. Fleet management system, SmarTrack® will only allow authorised personnel to access machines via a swipe card or pin number, it delivers pre-start checklists (available in English and two other languages making it ideal for worldwide use). Live email alerts also notify management when operators’ licences are approaching renewal dates, ensuring all personnel are appropriately licenced.
4. Improve safety
Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility; to ensure the wellbeing of themselves and colleagues. Incidents can have a dramatic effect on business, so prevention is key and fleet management is the answer; helping to adopt a preventative and predictive approach to workplace safety. The implementation of fleet management systems create a greater awareness among employees that leads to greater ownership and behavioural changes in operators which reduces incidents. Fleet management systems such as SmarTrack® is equipped with impact monitoring; meaning management is notified of any incidents involving machines making contact with anything
and any points of sharp deceleration, making operators more accountable.
This also helps management identify where the majority incidents are occurring to identify and address “black spots” in the working environment as well as recording where impacts occurred if it happened outside in view of satellites).
5. Understanding fleet utilisation
Imagine having the tools available to gain a comprehensive understanding of how fleets and operators are performing and using this information to assist the decision making process, to ensure the fleet is well-utilised at all times?
In business it is imperative for a fleet to do more, with less; the more a business can get out of their fleet, the more competitive they are. Being able to strategically improve fleet utilisation, not only boosts productivity and decreases costs but also increases profitability of a business, which is always everyone’s end-goal.
Additional benefits of tracking utilisation include reducing fuel consumption, assisting with fleet deployment and having the ability to compare traction vs idle time to plan and manage personnel across during shifts. Alerts and graphs, reports are provided by SmarTrack® displaying fleet utilisation information in an intuitive and easy-to-read
format.
6. Boost security
Controlling and monitoring access to equipment in a fleet has numerous security and safety benefits. It ensures only those with valid licences and permission is able to access machines to safeguard companies to prevent incidents but also gives businesses up-to-date information about where vehicles in their fleet are located at all times and personnel who have had access to the machine last. With the SmarTrack® fleet management solution, machines can only be accessed via an operator sign in via a swipe card or a pin number; whatever is more suitable
for the company.
7. Reduce overall costs
Fleet management solutions can help companies to decrease fleet-related costs to increase profitability. These systems are integral for monitoring and making progressive changes in managing fleets. It’s these step-changes that work towards reducing incidents, damage and costs associated with manual paperwork which in turn significantly reduces costs. All the benefits associated with the implementation of fleet management systems save businesses money in the short and long-term.
Global automation specialists Schneider Electric and RCT partnered up in 2015 with the delivery of an fleet management solution for a number of forklifts in Singapore.
RCT’s SmarTrack® Industrial Fleet Management solution was chosen over competitors for a myriad of reasons including, the fact it was independent, user-friendly, and web-based.
“The first order of 35 units was supplied to Schneider Electric’s headquarters in Asia two years ago and the working relationship has grown from there,” said RCT’s Industrial Business Development Manager Grahame Don.
Just like RCT’s relationship with Schneider, the SmarTrack® Industrial Fleet Management solution has evolved and expanded over time.
Over the past two years RCT has supplied SmarTrack® for numerous forklift users nominated by Schneider in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. As distribution expanded, so did the need for the product to be adaptable to cater to different languages and as a result the product is now available with a multi-lingual display feature.
“RCT recognised that English wasn’t the first language for many operators and it was necessary to cater to the needs of the end-users,” said Mr Don.
“Therefore RCT’s product development team worked on multi-lingual options and as a result, the solution is now available in multiple languages.”
“Having this option available means the solution is adaptable worldwide.”
Together with Schneider Electric, RCT has been able to cater to clients direct needs; an attribute RCT endeavours to achieve with each project in undertakes.
