Process Optimization and Asset Security: The Janning Group digitizes its fleet management
When companies grow quickly, it becomes easy to lose track of things – and Janning Group from Twist experienced exactly that. Within just two years, the company massively expanded its machinery fleet. This created the need for new digital structures to maintain oversight, identify movements early, and professionalize internal processes.
“It had basically become chaos”
When Pia Schmitz, who is responsible for fleet dispatching at Janning, thinks back to the time before digitalization, one word comes up repeatedly: time-consuming. The machinery fleet had grown so rapidly that the analog lists and spreadsheets were simply no longer sufficient.
“We barely had any planning reliability anymore,” Schmitz recalls. Often, nobody in the office knew exactly where a specific machine or piece of equipment was located. Site managers had to get into their cars and drive from construction site to construction site just to check whether the excavator or attachment was actually there. A huge amount of effort for information that should really only be one click away.
Why syniotec?
It quickly became clear that Janning needed more than just a tracking solution. The company was looking for a system that could provide a complete overview of its diverse fleet. After reviewing several providers, the decision was made in favor of syniotec because SAM brings small equipment, cars, trucks, excavators, and wheel loaders together in one single platform. The key factors were the versatility of the solution and the ability to use software and telematics from a single source.
Preventing and solving theft cases
Security was another major factor. Expensive construction equipment such as compressors are frequent targets for theft.
“Financially, this is a massive issue. Losing three pieces of equipment can quickly result in damages of €30,000,” says Schmitz.
Thanks to the telematics integration, Janning has already successfully resolved three theft cases. In one instance, a stolen compressor was tracked via GPS from Northern Germany all the way to the Stuttgart region. By temporarily adjusting the transmission intervals within the software, the police were able to pinpoint the exact location. The equipment has since been recovered and returned to the company.
One system for everything: From compactors to 24-Ton excavators
The pressure was also high in the workshop department for Rafael Krüger. As workshop manager, he is not only responsible for keeping operations running smoothly, but also for managing deadlines for safety inspections (UVV) and maintenance schedules. With a growing fleet consisting of excavators, wheel loaders, trucks, and smaller equipment, handling this without a proper system quickly becomes unmanageable.
The company needed a platform capable of covering everything. Their choice was the Smart Asset Manager (SAM) from syniotec. Whether it’s a heavy excavator or small equipment, everything is managed within the same centralized overview.
“I can now clearly see which machines are grouped together on which construction site. That means a technician only has to drive there once and can complete maintenance on five machines at the same time instead of making multiple trips,” explains Krüger.
Telematics for construction: Installed in ten minutes
Practical usability was especially important to the team. Nobody in construction has time for complicated IT projects. That’s why Rafael Krüger was particularly impressed by the “plug-and-play” approach of the trackers (syniotec LINK devices).
“The installation takes less than ten minutes,” he explains. Attach the tracker, scan the QR code with your phone, and you’re done. The system is so intuitive that new employees do not require days of training. It essentially explains itself.
The collaboration between the Janning Group and syniotec has significantly improved communication between dispatching, the workshop, and construction sites. Reaction times to irregularities have decreased, while planning reliability has increased substantially.
In the future, the company also plans to fully integrate the workshop module in order to further advance the digitalization of internal processes.
For Pia Schmitz, the conclusion is clear:
“The consultation was professional, the price-performance ratio is right, and we finally regained control over our assets.”
Since implementing the system, things at the Janning Group have become noticeably calmer — at least when it comes to organization.
- Transparency at the click of a button: The search for machines is over. Dispatchers can now see in real time on the map where every asset is located.
- Workshop management under control: Maintenance intervals automatically appear in the system. This improves safety and prevents costly downtime.
- Digital assistant: Through the SAM AI Agent, locations can even be requested via voice message — ideal for quick access directly from the construction site.
- User-friendly operation: High acceptance within the team thanks to intuitive usability and quick hardware installation.
For Pia Schmitz, the relief is obvious: “We chose syniotec because everything comes from a single source. That has massively simplified our day-to-day work.”