by Brianna Crandall — April 29, 2016 — Doug Oberhelman, chairman and CEO of global heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc., unveiled “The Age of Smart Iron” this month at bauma 2016, billed as the world’s largest construction industry trade show. The Age of Smart Iron describes Caterpillar’s strategy to be the industry leader bringing digital solutions designed to improve productivity, efficiency, safety and profitability for customers.
Caterpillar Group President Rob Charter said:
While we always love to showcase our machines and engines, we’re equally excited about what’s at the center of our exhibit: Caterpillar technology. This is not technology for technology’s sake. It is technology that’s focused on solving, and even anticipating, customer problems. We’re taking the machines, locomotives, engines and parts we’re so well known for and making them smarter, while also equipping the people who operate them with data that makes them more productive, enhances safety and improves sustainability.
The innovative technology that Caterpillar showcased as part of its new strategy includes:
- Cat Connect Technology: Hardware and software available for Cat or competitive equipment that arms customers with information designed to help them optimize their operations. Specific construction technologies include:
- LINK, a solution that captures vital performance and product health data and makes that data available on the Web to guide decision-making;
- GRADE and COMPACT, two productivity solutions that help operators move material faster, more accurately and with fewer passes; and
- PAYLOAD, an on-board system for trucks and loading tools that drives higher efficiency, shorter cycle times and lower cost per ton.
- Cat 360° Advantage, a collaboration between Caterpillar and Cat dealers to deliver a full complement of expertise, technology-enabled equipment, and support services that address customers’ jobsite challenges;
- Leverage Every Litre, an educational initiative with tools, tips and resources that help Caterpillar customers improve the fuel efficiency of their products and, as a result, increase its revenue from every liter of fuel burned; and
- Product Support Services that enhance the customer’s equipment investment and help maximize its value.
Some of the products that incorporate the new technology include the 966M XE wheel loader that features advanced power train design and deep systems integration for higher efficiency and lower total operating costs, and three new pavers, AP300F, AP355F and AP555F, that are built with intuitive, accessible technology and a quick-heating screed system that increases productivity and reduces idle time. In addition, the 6015B hydraulic mining shovel is built with class-leading speed and power and optimized to load the Cat 773, 775 and 777 trucks.
At a news conference, Oberhelman outlined how Caterpillar is different from competitors that are also focused on digital technology and connectivity:
“First, we’re already doing it. We have approximately 400,000 connected assets and an installed base of 3 million machines and engines at work around the world today. That foundation gives us a head start, and we’re building on it.
“Second, when you combine that with the expertise and experience of our people with our unmatched dealer network, you see Caterpillar’s great competitive advantage. We know how to build solutions, and we have the distribution network to deliver and service those solutions.
“Third, since 1925, Caterpillar has been dedicated to helping our customers succeed. Visit just about any country in the world and you’ll see Caterpillar yellow iron at work, building and delivering the infrastructure and energy that brings higher standards of living. Think about the benefits when all of that yellow iron is smart iron, too.
“Fourth, we are not going to offer just one solution across our global footprint, but multiple solutions to meet the demands of our customers in construction, mining, energy and transportation.”
To summarize The Age of Smart Iron, Oberhelman stated:
Our vision is that by enhancing our Cat Connect Technology and Services offerings, entire fleets and job sites – every machine, engine, truck, tablet, light tower, smart device and drone – will eventually share data on one common technology platform and speak the same language. I can’t wait to see what that means for our customers – and for us.
