Greater control and improved performance in the warehouse

Relying on systems that can withstand today's challenges

Crown’s InfoLink system for operators and fleet management was developed to address the increasing complexity of modern warehouse operations. Diverse fleets, tight schedules, and higher processing speeds are putting pressure on warehouse operations management. Companies need to be able to rely on systems that can withstand today’s challenges and scale up for the future.

Warehouses are processing more and more orders in ever-shorter time frames. At the same time, forklift fleets are becoming more diverse, and pressure on availability, safety, and productivity is increasing. This makes a clear understanding of equipment usage essential. With the InfoLink system, Crown offers a platform that enables companies to translate data from daily forklift operations into concrete improvement actions. The system collects operational data on, among other things, driving time, downtime, energy consumption, damage, and the usage patterns of individual operators. This allows fleet managers not only to see how many forklifts are available, but also how they are actually being used. Where are bottlenecks occurring? Which trucks are idle for long periods? And is the fleet still adequate for the daily workload? This information can help make informed decisions about the size and deployment of the fleet. Instead of purchasing additional equipment based on a sense of scarcity, a factual picture of utilization rates and peak loads emerges. Deviations in processes can also be identified earlier.

Safety

In addition to productivity, safety is a key area of application. InfoLink supports, among other things, electronic inspection lists, on-screen safety alerts, and real-time coaching for drivers. It also allows companies to manage which employees are authorized to operate specific trucks. The system also records collisions. While this does not in itself resolve an incident, it does reveal where and when damage occurs. This information can serve as a basis for adjusting routes, driving behavior, workplace layout, or instructions. In this way, safety becomes not only a topic for periodic evaluations but also an integral part of daily operations.

Insight at Palibex

One user of the system is Palibex, a Spanish network for the express transport of palletized goods. The company uses InfoLink to monitor its forklift operations on a daily basis. Among other things, Palibex tracks shift start and end times, driving and forklift operation times, downtime, driver absences, collisions, idle hours, and energy consumption.

According to Guillermo Cagigas, Systems Director at Palibex, that information has helped to better organize the fleet and processes. “We now have a clear daily overview of each forklift’s operating time, the number of meters traveled, battery life, and any collisions with cargo.” That daily overview, in particular, has proven valuable. When anomalies are quickly identified, managers can intervene sooner, and minor bottlenecks don’t persist unnecessarily long. This can help reduce damage, improve equipment utilization, and make operations more predictable.

The value of fleet management software, therefore, lies not only in data collection. The real benefit arises when companies use that data to set goals, adjust processes, and systematically monitor progress. In a warehouse environment where capacity and safety are under constant pressure, data is thus increasingly becoming a practical tool for managing operations on the shop floor.