How Haugland Made the Switch from Spreadsheets to Smart Fleet Tracking

At Haugland Marine, fleet tracking used to mean one thing: spreadsheets. Every day, someone had to manually update an Excel file to keep track of barge and vessel locations across their East Coast job sites.

“We knew there had to be a better way,” said Joe Stevenson, Assistant Port Captain. “With all that technology has to offer these days, it just didn’t make sense to keep doing it manually.”

That better way turned out to be NeboFleet, a real-time tracking platform introduced by TBS Safety.

A Simple Fix for a Complex Job

Haugland Marine didn’t test a dozen options. They didn’t need to.

“Nebo was our first and only trial,” Stevenson said. “The accuracy of the devices and the website’s ease of use made the decision simple.”

Installation was quick. The small, battery-powered tracking units were deployed across the fleet, and captains received a short training on how to view and log activity. From there, it was off to the races.

And the results? Immediate.

“What used to take hours now takes minutes,” Stevenson said. “The simplicity of it makes my life a whole lot easier which is a resounding ‘wow’ day to day.”

What Changed?

Since moving to NeboFleet, Haugland has seen improvements in just about every area of fleet operations:

• No more spreadsheet chaos. The daily update grind is gone.

• Real-time visibility. Everyone sees the same data at the same time, which cuts down on mistakes.

• Smarter billing. Automated logs help with tracking time, usage, and costs.

• Asset protection. If there’s ever damage to a barge, the team can trace back through the logs to find out exactly where and when it happened.

And that last point matters more than most realize. In marine construction, assets are expensive and having proof of how they’re being used can save thousands in repairs or disputes.

A New Standard for Fleet Operations

For Haugland Marine, switching to NeboFleet was less about fancy features and more about getting the basics done right and done fast.

“It’s hard to imagine not having it now,” Stevenson said.

So if you’re still stuck in the world of spreadsheets and whiteboards, consider this your nudge. With tools like NeboFleet, tracking doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be smart, seamless, and scalable without the headache.

Need help making the switch?

TBS Safety offers full support to get you started with NeboFleet, including installation, training, and real-world insight from industry pros who’ve been in your boots. Visit tbssafety.com or call (251) 459-9891.