Trackunit

Trackunit is a prominent player in the construction industry, connecting over two million assets worldwide and serving 7,000 customers. Established in 1998, the company originally focused on hardware but has evolved into a global technology firm that orchestrates data and infrastructure to connect the construction ecosystem. With a presence in over 100 countries and a team of more than 450 people across 17 hubs, Trackunit’s software-driven SaaS [1] platform meets a worldwide demand to increase connectivity in construction and enhance industry efficiency.

Illustration 1: Trackunit aims to enable a fully digitized construction industry by connecting machines, people, and processes.

Targeting large construction companies, Trackunit offers IoT [2] solutions that improve machinery and equipment management. Through telematics units, the solution leverages machine data that enables customers to monitor crucial information like location, usage, and deterioration. Relying on an integrated hardware and software model, the solution integrates seamlessly with client systems to provide actionable insights that empower the clients with predictive tools for operational efficiency, maintenance, and safety.

The business model

Trackunit's business model is deeply rooted in its SaaS-based IoT solutions for the construction industry. Through the sale of specialized hardware devices complemented by a plug-and-play software service, the company is able to offer its clients a suite of analytics, reporting, and operational insights. The software leverages data collected by the hardware to facilitate decision-making and efficiency improvements in construction operations. The business model of Trackunit is illustrated below.

Illustration 2: Business model of Trackunit.

Trackunit's IoT solutions rely on a central platform called IrisX, which is designed to connect assets and processes while safeguarding sensitive data against unauthorized access and breaches. Hence, a cornerstone of Trackunit's business model is cybersecurity, as it is crucial for maintaining client trust and ensuring the reliability of their services.

The technical solution

Trackunit’s solution consists of a range of components based on hardware, software, and the platform IrisX. This platform is a cornerstone of Trackunit’s IoT offerings, building on the proven success of the original Iris platform. IrisX integrates generative AI and large language models to deliver advanced analytics, automated workflows, and custom app development. It is designed specifically for the construction industry and is capable of interfacing with a diverse range of construction equipment, from small machinery like scissor lifts to large excavators. The platform includes firmware and a cloud system that manage software updates, data logging, and diagnostics. IrisX is scalable, flexible, and adaptable to various construction projects, and it prioritizes data security and stability in order to ensure reliable data management within the digital framework of the construction sector. With a well-structured data lake, IrisX empowers users to share data selectively, enabling them to build personalized ecosystems. As the platform evolves, it will provide deep insights to tackle key industry challenges, such as maintenance scheduling and fleet management.

 

Software Components

Illustration 3: Software components of Trackunit’s solution fleet management enable fleet-wide insights and tracking.

• Trackunit Marketplace: is the entry point to IrisX, designed to foster partnerships and co-creation across value chains in the construction industry. It streamlines data collection and offers users a catalogue of applications from Trackunit and external developers. This contributes to simplifying processes and reducing downtime in construction operations.
• Trackunit Manager: is a fleet management solution that centralizes construction processes into a singular system. It addresses common challenges such as machine breakdowns, missed service checks, and asset mismanagement. By consolidating fleet data in real-time, the user can improve asset utilization and performance.
• Trackunit Go: is a mobile application for technicians and fleet managers, providing machine insights and fleet overviews on the go. It features a user-friendly interface that highlights machines in need of immediate attention and aids in on-site asset tracking.
• Trackunit On: is a digital access management application that enhances the safety and efficiency of machine operators by replacing paper-based checklists with a digital format, reducing data loss and streamlining workflows.

 

Hardware Components

Illustration 4: Hardware components of Trackunit’s solution are mounted on construction machines and equipment to collect data.

• Trackunit Raw: offers full fleet transparency for the off-road construction industry. Raw interfaces with the machines CAN bus and offers robust connectivity with 4G/5G LTE, Bluetooth, and global coverage. It is scalable, certified compliant and cyber secure with disk-level encryption and penetration testing.
• Trackunit PASS: combines fleet management with user authentication for machinery, ensuring that only authorized personnel operate the machines to enhance safety and reduce theft.
• Trackunit Kin: tracks non-powered equipment, attachments, and tools. It is certified for tracking in hazardous environments and integrates seamlessly with other Trackunit services.
• Trackunit Spot: manages non-powered assets into an integrated platform, ensuring seamless tracking alongside the entire fleet. Providing real-time insights into asset usage and location, it simplifies depot management and ensures strategic relocation of underutilized assets.
• Trackunit Beam: connects equipment, fleets, and sites throughout project phases, offering complete visibility across sites. It integrates with third-party products via Trackunit Marketplace and ensures 100% coverage for Bluetooth-tagged assets.

The role of cybersecurity

Trackunit's focus on cybersecurity has become a key factor in distinguishing them in the construction industry where security is becoming increasingly vital. Their proactive strategy focuses on embedding security in the product development phase and promoting a risk-aware culture within and outside the organization. Trackunit's offerings are not meant to be just robust and secure but also ahead of the market in anticipating and addressing cybersecurity challenges.

"As we do our business, cybersecurity is pegged in everything we do…
It is more like breathing than acting.”

Søren Bruncke Mikkelsen, Senior Director of Engineering

Integrating it within its core offerings, Trackunit has made cybersecurity an integral part of their value proposition [3]. The company is committed to transforming and securing the construction industry through innovative technology and robust cybersecurity practices. In their effort to harness the business potential of cybersecurity, Trackunit focuses on five particular areas:

• Institutionalizing cybersecurity Governance
  With strong support from top management, Trackunit has established an Information Security Committee to oversee its cybersecurity efforts. The committee meets regularly to address risks, incidents, and threats in order to ensure a proactive approach. Their work goes beyond compliance, focusing on continuous improvement and risk management.
• Recognizing and protecting high-value assets
  The operations of Trackunit involve assets, projects, and data of significant value, and with that, risks as well. This recognition has spurred the company to develop robust cybersecurity defences to protect its high-value operations against potential threats. The emphasis on cybersecurity reflects an alignment of interests with their clients.
• Cybersecurity as a competitive edge
  In recognizing the disparity between the industry's cybersecurity maturity and the actual needs of the situation, Trackunit has chosen to lead by example. Leveraging advanced cybersecurity as a market differentiator, the company has enhanced its value proposition to customers and drives industry-wide changes.
• Developing a security-conscious organizational culture 
  Trackunit embeds cybersecurity awareness throughout the organization, ensuring every employee understands their role in safeguarding the clients’ data. Comprehensive training fosters a culture and mutual understanding of security as a shared corporate responsibility.
• Adopting a zero-trust framework
  Trackunit implements a zero-trust security model, deploying a more rigorous identity-centric system rather than traditional perimeter defences. The model contributes to shaping the technical architecture, operational protocols and organizational policies regarding security control, ensuring that all system access is verified and trusted.

Trackunit’s focus on cybersecurity has become a key factor in gaining competitive advantage and creating added value for their customers, as it resonates with the growing demand for secure, efficient, and compliant operations in the construction industry. Their approach to cybersecurity is strategic rather than operational, ensuring that data trust and protection are built into the fabric of their products and services.

Best practice learnings

By empowering more data-driven construction operations, Trackunit drives sectoral innovation and improves workflows, aiming to make the industry more efficient, valuable and safe on a global scale.

Trackunit considers a number of points to be vital for the success of their IoT solution. Vastly driven by their focus on cybersecurity, these points are compiled into a list of recommendations below:

1. Establish an internal cybersecurity governance

Build a solid governance structure that encourages the adoption of cybersecurity as a matter of strategy and organizational culture.  It is recommendable to dedicate a department or committee to take the lead in enhancing the company’s cybersecurity posture and overall valuation, demonstrating how cybersecurity is deeply integrated into the corporate strategy and valued by stakeholders.

“You need to integrate the cybersecurity throughout the whole organization – and it does not happen overnight. Start as early as possible.”

Søren Bruncke Mikkelsen, Senior Director of Engineering

2. Embed security in product design

Embed security at the product level in your solution, incorporating features like disk-level encryption and third-party penetration testing. By collaborating with leading cybersecurity vendors, your company ensures robust product integrity and data security, letting security form a cornerstone of your value proposition to customers.

3. Adopt cybersecurity models

Adopt sophisticated models such as zero-trust to ensure that your company’s defences remain effective against evolving threats. To maintain high security standards of the model, continuously update and review cybersecurity practices to stay aligned with the latest system threats and technological advancements.

“We do not allow anything from any network to go into any systems unless you identify who you are.”

Søren Bruncke Mikkelsen, Senior Director of Engineering

4. Develop cybersecurity measures and proactive response plans

Develop targeted assessments to protect critical assets, especially if your company sells IoT solutions, as it will fortify their defences, enhance customer trust, and increase business integrity. Apply a structured incident response framework to maintain the measures and regularly evaluate potential incidents, ensuring operational resilience and readiness to handle breaches. 

End notes

[1] SaaS – Software as a Service (SaaS) is a method of delivering software applications over the internet, as a service, rather than through on-premises installation.

[2] IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.

[3] Value proposition: a clear statement that explains how a product or service solves a problem or improves a situation, delivers specific benefits, and what value it offers the customer.

Copyright notice:  © 2022 – 2026 CyPro Consortium.

This material was produced as part of the CyPro project and is funded by The Danish Industry Foundation under the thematic focus area Cybersecurity.

The CyPro project aims to strengthen the cybersecurity knowledge level of the manufacturing industry ecosystem in relation to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0.