Lift-It Mfg. Co., Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., has introduced InfoChip, an RFID-based online tracking system that helps sling and lifting equipment users by streamlining sling inspections and management. The RFID tag is inserted into the product during the manufacturing process and is impervious to dirt, water, grease and other contaminants. The RFID tag stores manufacturing and testing information, allowing authorized Lift-It distributors and customers to access information on site with mobile handhelds, via a web-based database.
According to Mike Gelskey Sr., Lift-It CEO and president, InfoChip instantly identifies and tracks any type of lifting equipment. “With InfoChip we are dramatically improving the sling management process with digital technologies,” he said. “The decision to offer our customers this solution further demonstrates our commitment to safety, service and technical innovation.”
Now inspections are performed with increased accuracy, in less time and with greater consistency. A digital audit trail tracks any desired transaction such as inspection, repair, testing, and certification. Information captured in the field is forwarded to management through maintenance alerts with the Infochip IC Online manager.
With InfoChip, information is shared between each party in the sling's value chain. Fabricators and dealers better track the lifting equipment through its lifecycle and can offer value-added services including required, periodic inspections, testing and certification. Each of these operations is performed digitally and then published online for customer reference.
Authorized Lift-It dealers can also add the InfoChip to hooks, blocks and other gear, providing inherent flexibility. End users benefit when slings arrive pre-programmed with critical information. Utilizing mobile handheld technology and RFID chips, the user can better track location changes and field inspections. Additional detail and history is readily available online for reference by all parties.
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