Cordless power tool technology is about to take a giant leap forward in delivering the raw power, performance, and productivity demanded by the professional contractor. The technology being introduced today, and over the next few years, will change users’ preconceived notions about the capability of cordless power tools and the extent to which they can deliver improved productivity on the jobsite. This advancement will fundamentally change the way professionals work, and make a significant impact on the overall operations on a jobsite.
Let’s continue in part two of this article to highlight Milwaukee’s lighting improvements, greater performance, and the digital platform for tools for added productivity.
LIGHT IT UP
With advancements in lithium-ion have also come improvements to other tools. Jobsite lighting is a critical part of a contractor’s job. Much of the lighting seen on jobsites today are tethered to a power cord, requiring users to lay out extension cords and maneuver for limited power on the jobsite. Managing power cords alone can be a drain on productivity. Additionally, during critical times when there is no power, users can be left without light. Through a combination of high output LEDs, advanced battery technology, and intelligent electronics, Milwaukee now offers the industry’s first system of cordless high output LED lights which deliver full day runtimes in portable packages. These innovative lights feature high definition light technology with the capability of taking the place of traditional halogen and incandescent lights. With their extreme durability and cordless convenience, the productivity and overall cost savings vs. traditional halogen will change the way contractors light up a jobsite.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Challenges on the jobsite, such as battery runtime and overall performance, are being addressed every day as cordless technology improves. This investment in technology has also unlocked capabilities the industry never thought possible. The capability to not only deliver traditional productivity realized when using cordless tools, but also provide additional value to the contractor that was never possible due to technology limitations. The investment contractors make in power tools can be substantial and the value those tools provide continue to evolve with improvements in technology. The breadth of tools offered in a cordless platform, the warranty provided, after sales service and overall performance on the job are just a few of the considerations when making an investment in a power tool platform.
DIGITAL PLATFORM
Recently, Milwaukee Tool introduced the first digital platform for power tools and equipment, ONE-KEY™. By integrating industry-leading tool electronics with a custom-built cloud-based program, ONE-KEY provides a new level of control and access to information that is revolutionizing the way work gets done. Power Tools with ONE-KEY technology enable users to connect wirelessly to their tools via their smart phone or tablet, unlocking solutions that provide value and productivity never possible.
ONE-KEY enables a user to customize, track, and manage their tools. Tool control allows you to harness the power and speed of M18 FUEL™, and completely customize your tools around the work you do. Using ONE-KEY, you wirelessly sync with your drills and impacts to program custom speed and torque settings directly into the tool’s memory.
Integrated tool tracking allows contractors to have full visibility of tool utilization across your network of jobs and users. The ONE-KEY app will automatically keep records of the last time your mobile device was within 100 feet of your tool, allowing you to quickly pinpoint any missing tools on a map quicker and increase the accountability of your crew.
As the first to integrate this technology standard in the tool, ONE-KEY Tool Tracking provides a free, easy to use web and mobile platform to keep a virtual eye on your tools when you can’t. Additional functionality being introduced in late 2016 will provide even more tool security allowing users to lock and unlock their ONE-KEY tools. Also, inventory management creates a central place for contractors to track all tools and equipment across your network of jobs and users while keeping detailed records of all inventory, any manufacturer, or brand. ONE-KEY enables instant and easy information-sharing between the field and backoffice by assigning locations and owners to each inventory item. Contractors will have a full picture into the allocation and location of equipment, how that equipment is performing, how to maximize tool potential, and save settings that achieve the very best results. This type of information has true impact on productivity on and off the jobsite. Contractors will see ONE-KEY technology in a broader range of Milwaukee tools and other future products.
JUST THE BEGINNING
This new age for cordless power tools has already made a tremendous impact with contractors and on jobsites everywhere, but this is just the beginning. Logging hundreds of hours on the jobsite, we interact with professional tradespeople on a daily basis to learn about their frustrations and ideas. This not only inspires true innovation, but drives us to develop solutions professionals need to perform their job productively. Milwaukee will continue to invest in technology to deliver disruptive innovation for the jobsite since the future will only be built by user-driven solutions. With momentum and continued advancements, the industry will catapult into the future. ■
About the Author: Shane Moll is the president of Power Tools for Milwaukee Tool based in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions – October 2016
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