Bringing QR tracking to lifting equipment
As the cranes and lifting sector continues to evolve, digital tools are beginning to address long-standing inefficiencies in equipment management and compliance.
One such entrant is LIFTIQ, a cloud-based platform developed to streamline how lifting gear is tracked, inspected and managed across operations.
At the centre of the business is Stephen Boyd, General Manager at LIFTIQ, whose experience in the rental and lifting industry shaped the foundation of the platform.
Stephen has worked across the rental, mining and lifting sectors, supplying rigging and lifting equipment throughout his career.
“I noticed a clear gap in the market, with many customers still depending on Excel sheets or basic documents and lacking an effective system to properly manage their lifting equipment,” he said.
Moving Beyond Spreadsheets
LIFTIQ was developed to address this exact problem. The platform provides a centralised, cloud-based system where all lifting equipment can be recorded, tracked and managed in one place, regardless of supplier.
“Rather than relying on a spreadsheet that simply sits idle, this is a live system that shows what is due, when it is due, and allows users to update it straight away,” Stephen said.
A key feature is its automated notification system, which alerts users when inspections are due.
“They no longer need to wait until something becomes a problem. The reminders allow them to stay ahead of upcoming due dates,” he said.
LIFTIQ centralises lifting equipment data into one live platform, replacing static spreadsheets. Image: LIFTIQ
QR Tags Bring Visibility On Site
One of the more distinctive aspects of the LIFTIQ system is its use of stainless steel QR tags attached directly to lifting equipment.
Traditionally, inspection status is indicated using coloured cable ties that need to be replaced regularly. LIFTIQ replaces this with a permanent tagging solution. By scanning the QR code with a mobile device, users can instantly access the asset’s status, inspection history and associated documents.
“It lets users see straight away whether the asset is current or overdue, and they can also pull up operator manuals or other key information connected to that item,” Stephen said.
Site supervisors, safety managers or clients can scan the equipment directly on site without needing to request documentation from the office.
Driving Efficiency in Operations
The operational impact of the platform is most evident in day-to-day workflows, particularly for rigging managers and those responsible for compliance.
LIFTIQ’s dashboard uses a traffic light system to provide a quick overview of asset status.
- Green indicates the asset is compliant
- Orange shows it will soon need attention
- Red means it has gone overdue
The platform also simplifies reporting requirements, particularly when crane companies are required to provide a register of all lifting assets assigned to a specific crane before attending site.
Users can generate compliance reports for specific jobs or equipment allocated to a crane in a matter of seconds.
Before adopting a centralised system, this process typically involved manually compiling asset lists, cross-checking inspection records and confirming compliance status across multiple spreadsheets and documents. For large fleets, this could take hours and often introduced the risk of human error, especially under time pressure.
With LIFTIQ, the process is reduced to a simple action. Users select the crane within the system and generate a report instantly containing all the information required by site. In less than 30 seconds, the platform produces a complete register of every item onboard, along with its current compliance status, ready to be shared.
Strengthening Safety and Compliance
Beyond efficiency, the platform has clear implications for safety.
Missed inspections remain a known risk in the industry, particularly when systems rely on manual tracking.
“When an item misses its inspection deadline, it may continue being used for months without being properly checked. That is when failures can happen and injuries become a real risk,” Stephen said.
LIFTIQ reduces the risk of equipment being overlooked by providing advance reminders and a clear overview of inspection status. Storing inspection reports and compliance documents against each asset also enhances audit readiness and traceability.
Flexible for Businesses of All Sizes
LIFTIQ has been designed to cater to a wide range of users, from small operators to large fleets.
“It is suitable for anyone from a single-asset operator through to businesses managing thousands of items. There is really no ceiling,” Stephen said.
The platform includes a free entry-level plan, allowing users to trial the system with a small number of assets, alongside scalable paid options.
Pricing has been kept accessible to encourage adoption in an industry that has traditionally relied on manual systems.
“For crane businesses, the cost is minimal compared with the benefit of improving and organising their equipment management processes,” Stephen said.