Sensors, smart-connected equipment, and software are changing the way we operate in our homes, cars, offices and even industrial facilities. Forward-thinking industrial equipment manufacturers have been developing ways to make their products smart and inter-connected in recent years. From the loading dock to the plant interior, equipment that can harness the power of data can help maintenance, safety and facility managers do their jobs better and make more effective long-term improvements. With the increased focus on productivity along with the always important need for safety, industrial facilities have a growing number of options at their disposal.
One option that offers an immediate positive impact to facility safety is integrating sensors into existing equipment. Solutions that were originally developed for one specific job – like a vehicle restraint to help secure a trailer or a loading dock leveler to bridge the gap from facility floor to trailer bed – can now be optimized with sensors that offer proactive warnings in potentially unsafe situations. From out on the drive approach to the busy loading dock, these sensors activate audible and visual warnings while also integrating with controls to provide a safer sequence of operations.