BRICKS & CLICKS

March 1, 2001
A look at what's new, different and interesting in the world of cyberrentals. The Internet Partner Against Crime Thieves are turning their attention to

A look at what's new, different and interesting in the world of cyberrentals.

The Internet Partner Against Crime

Thieves are turning their attention to something bigger, heavier and more lucrative than automobiles these days. Heavy equipment is becoming a hot item, and if you're not careful, those thieves might turn their attention to you.

To fend them off, some equipment owner-operators turn to the Internet for valuable theft data. LoJack, a Dedham, Mass.-based manufacturer of vehicle recovery systems, has updated its Web site in hopes of becoming “the first line of defense for equipment owner-operators who use the Internet for research,” company president Joseph Abely says.

“We have redesigned www.lojack.com with our customer, the heavy equipment/construction trade manager and owner-operator, in mind,” Abely says. “Starting with the home page, site navigation has been simplified to enable the construction or trucking professional to quickly and easily access product and theft data.”

The commercial portion of the site features detailed information about LoJack's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System and an upcoming product called Locate by LoJack.

The Stolen Vehicle Recovery System is available for on-road or off-road vehicles and heavy equipment. A small, silent transmitter hidden in the vehicle, is activated when the owner notifies police of a theft. The signal leads the police to the stolen vehicle within the LoJack network.

Locate by LoJack, expected to be launched in the second half of this year, is an asset management system that provides customized security and safety features. It lets equipment owner-operators know the precise location of a truck or construction machinery at all times.

“We often hear theft victims say they didn't believe tractor-trailers, semis, rigs, haulers and vans would be as popular as they are to professional thieves,” Abely says. “Expensive construction equipment of every type is at risk for theft. According to FBI and police statistics, equipment left at construction sites overnight or on weekends is most susceptible to theft.

“That's not good for business, and that's why LoJack stepped in and developed these systems to meet the needs of the construction industry.”

e-Fact

On average, 200 pieces of construction equipment are stolen in the United States each week.
Source: John Deere

site gives do-it-yourselfers the ability to design and plan home improvement projects for free. The site also help users create detailed project supply lists, including tools they may need to buy or rent.

QUICK HITS

www.ironplanet.com — IronPlanet, an online marketplace for used equipment, has teamed with Soris Financial, a division of CNH Capital, to deliver equipment financing on purchases made through www.ironplanet.com. Buyers funded through this program submit a down payment to IronPlanet on the equipment they purchase, with the remaining amount financed by Soris.

www.lightcompaction.com — Contractors can order Ingersoll-Rand's full line of light compaction equipment here. Features include the “Product Wizard,” which asks contractors a series of questions about the job and determines the ideal type and size of equipment.

www.utilitycontractor.com — This site allows contractors to search through a database of equipment manufacturers and distributors.

Wellington Equipment Tests Online Reservation System

Wellington Equipment, No. 75 on last year's RER 100, is beta-testing an online equipment rental reservation system developed by RigRent.

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., high-reach specialist Wellington and five local customers are testing the software in anticipation of a national roll-out in “the middle of 2001,” according to RigRent CEO Shajan John.

The software permits contractors to select a supplier, size the equipment needed, determine availability for specific dates, determine cost and reserve the equipment. The system, known as Vertex, maintains equipment specifications and records transactions by job site, purchase order, date and project number, according to the company.