Can we talk about the push for all digital crane load charts?

Our company switched to tablets with digital charts about 18 months ago. At first, I thought it was great, no more paper. But last week, I was on a site in Tacoma with a bad signal, and the app froze right as I was setting a 12-ton beam. I had to use my old paper backup chart, which I still keep in my bag. The digital system is fine when it works, but it adds a point of failure we did not have before. Has anyone else had a close call because their tech just stopped working?

3 comments

3 Comments

spencer_owens5816d ago

Heard a guy on a podcast say his whole site lost power for an hour. How do you run a digital chart with a dead tablet battery? Paper doesn't need updates or a charger.

cole_baker16d ago

Yeah, the "paper doesn't need updates" line hits hard. Been there with a dead tablet right when you need it most.

emma_flores16d ago

Remember when everyone said going digital was the only smart move? I used to push for tablets hard at my old job. Then our whole network went down for a morning during inventory. Suddenly those paper lists and clipboards didn't seem so dumb. It's like having a backup plan you don't even have to think about. Makes you wonder if putting all your eggs in one tech basket is ever really safe, right?