Lift Truck Tips: 4 ways connected fleet technology is changing operator training
As telematics become nearly standard on lift trucks, companies are benefiting from increased safety, productivity and operator satisfaction.
Technology is changing how fleet managers approach operator training.
From the August 2026 Issue of
Modern Materials Handling
Lift Truck Tips: 4 ways connected fleet technology is changing operator training
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Connected fleet technology is making it easier to train operators, while also keeping the focus on safety. As telematics have become almost standard on lift trucks, an opportunity has presented itself to continuously assess, train and coach operators for the precise job they need to do. The benefit: increased safety, productivity and employee satisfaction.
“That training needs to be specific and concise to, first, keep them safe, but also help drive some of that productivity, help them grow from a skill set,” says Damon Hosmer, director of technology solutions sales at Toyota Material Handling North America. “A lot of people forget that the operator cabin of many of the vehicles that we sell is somebody’s office, so you want them to feel comfortable, you want them to feel empowered to do right, and to be able to exceed in that situation.”
Technology is changing how fleet managers approach operator training in four key areas They include:
1. Digital compliance and recordkeeping
Electronic recordkeeping is often the gateway into telematics as an easy way to maintain compliance. Checklists like pre-shipped inspections and OSHA documentation can be easily performed while also ensuring that truck operators know what they’re doing.
Errors in digital compliance can be a red flag that more training is needed.
“Are they completing those pre-shift inspections? Are they going through the safety questionnaires that are required for that set environment?” asks Hosmer.
Digital compliance and accountability often tie directly into one another as many checklists begin with operator access control to verify an authenticated operator. This step ensures fleet managers do not have untrained drivers on equipment they shouldn’t be on.
“Having that in a digital format specific to the operator through that access control gives you the ability then to make sure that their certifications are current within each of those areas,” explains Hosmer.
Equipment protection comes down to having better control over equipment through connected technologies. While prevention should be priority No. 1, accidents happen.
“There are tons of impacts within a warehouse, so not only do customers and operators need to know when there’s an impact, but we also need to be able to control the vehicle behavior associated,” says Hosmer. “Being able to lock it out, ensure that it stops in place, you have the accountable party, you’re able to get health and safety over there to investigate in immediate fashion, not let things linger.”
This is especially important as industrial and warehouse environments continue to see large amounts of employee turnover.
“We see a lot of job hopping and labor constraints… we see a lot of employees shifting within the business environment, depending upon the dedicated places, and the last thing you want is somebody that’s unauthorized on that individual piece of equipment or in that environment to be able to write, log in, gain access and then operate that vehicle unsafely,” says Hosmer.
Collecting data, KPIs and metrics around your workforce empowers leadership teams to implement better training and coaching scenarios. Hosmer recommends looking at metrics like productivity reporting trends, idle time, charging and incidents to prompt training opportunities.
“Looking at things differently, whether it be pick paths, process improvements… it’s all with the hopes and focus on that operator individually to increase that performance piece,” he adds.
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About the Author
Amy WunderlinAmy Wunderlin is an editor at large for Modern. She has written for several weekly and daily newspapers, in addition to trade publications such as Modern Materials Handling, Supply & Demand Chain Executive, Food Logistics and Building Operating Management, among others. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she earned her B.A. in journalism.Follow Modern Materials Handling on FaceBook
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August 2026 Modern Materials Handling
Lift Truck Tips: 4 ways connected fleet technology is changing operator training
As telematics become nearly standard on lift trucks, companies are benefiting from increased safety, productivity and operator satisfaction.
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