Production Management in Low-Connectivity Operations
This case is designed for locations with very limited communications infrastructure.
Context
In many mining or material-transport operations, trucks, shovels, auxiliary equipment, and machinery in general operate in remote areas with very limited or no network coverage. This was the case for our client, whose operation had production cycles of approximately 60 minutes, but trucks only had between 3 and 6 minutes of connectivity per cycle—meaning less than 10% of the available time to transmit data.
Traditionally, this forces supervisors and managers to rely on manual reports and constant radio communication, which overloads channels and results in imprecise estimates. The lack of adequate tools severely limits the ability to manage production effectively.
Project Objective
Count the production cycles completed by the equipment in productive zones.
Record detailed trip-cycle information to identify bottlenecks in loading, dumping, full-travel, and empty-travel processes.
- Validate SimpleFMS’s ability to operate under extremely low-connectivity conditions.
- Store data locally and synchronize it automatically when entering areas with coverage.
- Enable the client to install the hardware autonomously, without relying on third parties.
Results and Operational Benefits
Production recorded in SIC format, enabling hour-by-hour performance visibility by equipment.
Identification and quantification of bottlenecks in loading, dumping, full travel, and empty travel.
Regular access to productivity indicators each time the trucks entered network-coverage zones.
- Detection of route deviations, such as workshop entries or other interruptions.
- Identification of repeated dumping events.
- Simple implementation: no operator training was required, as SimpleFMS can operate with or without an in-cab display. In this case, the display-free configuration was selected.
- Autonomous hardware installation by the client, which generated benefits such as:
- Elimination of additional installation and maintenance costs.
- Reduced logistical time and expenses (travel, lodging, insurance, etc.).
- Greater independence and faster implementation.
- Lower operational risk by avoiding the entry of external personnel into the site.
- Elimination of additional installation and maintenance costs.
SimpleFMS is a reliable solution that is easy to use and install
It offers an automatic workflow that does not require operator training.
It proved capable of operating without communications, securely and consistently storing and processing data in no-coverage zones.
Detection of It provides dependable auditing tools to verify that the reported information accurately reflects what happens in the field.
Let’s talk about your challenges to maximize productivity
You may be facing connectivity issues, but as you saw in this case, that doesn’t have to be a limitation. You can also contact us regarding other operational challenges.
