Abstract:
A system and method for providing indexed work machine utilization data. The system implementing the method includes an operator identification device for identifying an operator of a work machine based on operator identification data and a work data collection device for collecting work data related to the work machine. A first processing device indexes the collected work data to the operator identification data and a communication device transmits the indexed work data and operator identification data to a second processing device. The second processing device receives the indexed work data and the operator identification data and provides operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data that reflect a quantitative performance value associated with at least one of the work machine and operator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/574,782 entitled, “SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INDEXED MACHINE UTILIZATION METRICS,” filed May 27, 2004, owned by the assignee of this application and expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The disclosure relates generally to data collection systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing work machine utilization metrics by indexing work data, and perhaps work machine related parameters, to operator identification data.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     An important feature in modem work machines (e.g., fixed and mobile commercial machines, such as construction machines, fixed engine systems, marine-based machines, etc.), is the on-board network and associated machine control modules. An on-board network includes many different modules connected to various types of communication links. One or more of these modules may be used to monitor and collect work data for the associated work machine. The work data collected by on-board data collection systems are typically transferred from the work machine to the off-board system through manual download operations.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,968 (“the &#39;968 patent”) discloses a device for loading and moving loads, for example, a wheeled loader, track type loader, shovel loader, crane, scraper, back hoe, etc., that is equipped with various sensors for determining when a load is being moved and what the weight and volume of the load is. The data from the sensor is buffered and supplied to a microprocessor. This is done for a period of time as the operator uses the loading device. The data accumulated for each load moved by the operator is used to determine the efficiency of the operator in using the device. A display provides the operator with various information regarding the load being moved, such as its weight and volume, or the total weight and volume of several loads delivered to a particular location, etc. The same display can be used to provide data regarding the efficiency and productivity of the operator during a work period. A printer is also provided to print out the data.  
         [0005]     Although the &#39;968 patent discloses a device for accumulating, displaying, and printing information regarding the load being moved, and there are known on-board systems for collecting work data, the device disclosed in the &#39;968 patent and these known systems do not index the collected work data to operator identification data at the work machine and automatically transmit the indexed work data and operator identification data to an off-board system. Further, the off-board systems do not receive the indexed work data and the operator identification data and performing operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data.  
         [0006]     Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with certain disclosed embodiments may solve one or more of the problems set forth above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A system and method is provided for performing a process for determining indexed work machine utilization metrics. In one embodiment, the process includes identifying an operator of a work machine based on operator identification data, and collecting work data related to the work machine. The collected work data is indexed to the operator identification data and is transmitted to a processing system, where operator utilization metrics are provided based on the indexed work data that reflect a quantitative performance value associated with the work machine and operator.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a system is provided for providing indexed work machine utilization metrics. The system includes an operator identification device for identifying an operator of a work machine based on operator identification data, and a work data collection device for collecting work data related to the work machine. A first processing device indexes the collected work data to the operator identification data, and a communication device transmits the indexed work data and operator identification data to a second processing device. The second processing device receives the indexed work data and the operator identification data and provides operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed communication system. In the drawings:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pictorial representation of an exemplary system that may be configured to perform certain functions consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an on-board system consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of exemplary components of the on-board system of  FIG. 2 , consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate exemplary database structures consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary database structure showing exemplary metric groupings consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process for performing work machine utilization metrics consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process that may be performed by an off-board system consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary work machine environment  100  in which features and principles consistent with certain disclosed embodiments may be implemented. As shown in  FIG. 1 , work machine environment  100  may include a remote off-board system  110  and work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Each work machine  120 ,  130 , and  140  includes a wireless communication device, such as antennae  122 ,  132 , and  142 , and an on-board system  124 ,  134 , and  144 , respectively. Although only a specific number of work machines are shown, environment  100  may include any number and types of such machines and/or off-board systems.  
         [0019]     Work machine, as the term is used herein, refers to a fixed or mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with a particular industry, such as mining, construction, farming, etc. and operates between or within work environments (e.g., construction site, mine site, power plants, etc.). A non-limiting example of a fixed machine includes an engine system operating in a plant or off-shore environment (e.g., off-shore drilling platform). Non-limiting examples of mobile machines include commercial machines, such as trucks, cranes, earth moving vehicles, mining vehicles, backhoes, material handling equipment, farming equipment, marine vessels, aircraft, and any type of movable machine that operates in a work environment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , work machines  120  and  140  are backhoe type work machines, while machine  130  is a hauler-type work machine. The types of work machine illustrated in  FIG. 1  are exemplary and not intended to be limiting. It is contemplated by the disclosed embodiments that environment  100  may implement any number of different types of work machines.  
         [0020]     An off-board system, as the term is used herein, may represent a system that is located remote from work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 . An off-board system may be a system that connects to work machine  120  through wireline or wireless data links. Further, an off-board system may be a computer system including known computing components, such as one or more processors, software, display, and interface devices that operate collectively to perform one or more processes. Alternatively, or additionally, an off-board system may include one or more communication devices that facilitate the transmission of data to and from work machine  120 . In certain embodiments, an off-board system may be another work machine remotely located from work machine  120 .  
         [0021]     Remote off-board system  110  may represent one or more computing systems associated with a business entity corresponding to work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 , such as a manufacturer, dealer, retailer, owner, project site manager, a department of a business entity (e.g., service center, operations support center, logistics center, etc.), or any other type of entity that generates, maintains, sends, and/or receives information associated with machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Remote off-board system  110  may include one or more computer systems, such as a workstation, personal digital assistant, laptop, mainframe, etc. Remote off-board system  110  may include Web browser software that requests and receives data from a server when executed by a processor and displays content to a user operating the system. In one embodiment of the disclosure, remote off-board system  110  is connected to work machine  120  through a local wireless communication device. Remote off-board system  110  may also represent one or more portable, or fixed, service systems that perform diagnostics and/or service operations that include receiving and sending messages to work machine  120 . For example, remote off-board system  110  may be an electronic testing device that connects to work machine through an RS-232 serial data link or through wireless communication mediums.  
         [0022]     Wireless communication devices  122 ,  132 , and  142  may represent one or more wireless antennae configured to send and/or receive wireless communications to and/or from remote systems, such as off-board system  110  and other work machines. Although devices  122 ,  132 ,  142  are shown being configured for wireless communications, other forms of communications are contemplated. For example, work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140  may exchange information with remote systems using any type of wireless, wireline, and/or combination of wireless and wireline communication networks and infrastructures. As shown in  FIG. 1 , work machine  120  may wirelessly exchange information with work machines  130  and  140 , and off-board system  110 . Further, work machines  130  and  140  may exchange information with off-board system  110 .  
         [0023]     On-board systems  124 ,  134 , and  144  may represent a system of one or more on-board modules, interface systems, data links, and other types of components that perform machine processes within work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 .  FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of on-board system  124  consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. The following description of on-board system  124  is applicable to on-board systems  134  and  144 .  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , on-board system  124  may include a communication module  210 , interface control system  220 , on-board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N, and on-board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y. On-board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N and interface control system  220  are interconnected by a data link  215 . Although interface control system  220  is shown as a separate entity, some embodiments may allow control system  220  to be included as a functional component of one or more of on-board modules ( 230 - 1 - 230 -N). Further, although only a specific number of on-board control modules are shown, work machine  120  may include any number of such modules.  
         [0025]     Communication module  210  represents one or more devices that are configured to facilitate communications between work machine  120  and one or more remote systems, such as off-board system  110  and other work machines  130 ,  140 . Communication module  210  may include hardware and/or software that enables the device to send and/or receive data messages through wireline or wireless communications. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , communication module  210  is connected to communication device  122  for facilitating wireless communications with remote off-board system  110  and work machines ( 130 ,  140 ), although other off-board systems may send and receive data messages to and from communication module  210 . The wireless communications may include satellite, cellular, infrared, and any other type of wireless communications that enable work machine  120  to wirelessly exchange information with an off-board system.  
         [0026]     An on-board module, as the term is used herein, may represent any type of component operating in a work machine that controls or is controlled by other components or sub-components. For example, an on-board module may be an operator display device control module, an Engine Control Module (ECM), a power system control module, a Global Positioning System (GPS) interface device, an attachment interface that connects one or more sub-components, and any other type of device that work machine  120  may use to facilitate and/or monitor operations of the machine during run time or non-run time conditions (i.e., machine engine running or not running, respectively).  
         [0027]     An on-board module, as the term is used herein, may represent any type of component operating in a work machine that controls or is controlled by other components or sub-components. For example, an on-board module may be an operator display device control module, an Engine Control Module (ECM), a power system control module, a Global Positioning System (GPS) interface device, an attachment interface that connects one or more sub-components, and any other type of device that work machine  120  may use to facilitate and/or monitor operations of the machine during run time or non-run time conditions (i.e., machine engine running or not running, respectively).  
         [0028]     In one embodiment, interface control system  220  may include various computing components used to perform certain functions consistent with the requirements of that embodiment. To do so, interface control system  220  may include one or more processors and memory devices (not shown). For example, interface control system  220  may include a digital core that includes the logic and processing components used by interface control system  220  to perform interface, communications, and software update functionalities. In one embodiment, the digital core may include one or more processors and internal memories. The memories may represent one or more devices that temporarily store data, instructions, and executable code, or any combination thereof, used by a processor. Further, the memories may represent one or more memory devices that store data temporarily and/or permanently during operation of interface control system  220 , such as a cache memory, register device, buffer, queuing memory device, and any type of memory device that maintains information. The internal memory used by interface control system  220  may be any type of memory device, such as flash memory, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), and battery backed non-volatile memory devices.  
         [0029]     For clarity of explanation,  FIG. 2  shows interface control system  220  as a distinct element. However, interface control functionality may be implemented via software, hardware, and/or firmware within one or more modules (e.g.,  230 - 1  to  230 -N) on an on-board data link. Thus, interface control system  220  may, in certain embodiments, represent functionality or logic embedded within another element of work machine  120 .  
         [0030]     Modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N may represent one or more on-board modules connected to data link  215  included in work machine  120 . Data link  215  may represent a proprietary or non-proprietary data link, such as a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard data link including Controller Area Network (CAN), J1939, etc. Data link  215  may be wireless or wireline. For example, in one embodiment, work machine  120  may include wireless sensors that are linked together through interface control system  220 . Further, although  FIG. 2  shows one data link  215 , certain embodiments may include additional data links connected to one or more on-board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N that interconnect additional layers of on-board modules and/or interface control systems.  
         [0031]     On-board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y may represent one or more components that receive data, control signals, commands, and/or information from on-board modules,  230 - 1  to  230 -N, respectively. On board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y may also represent one or more components that transmit data, control signals, and/or other work data to on board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N. In certain embodiments, on-board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y may be controlled by respective on-board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N through the execution of software processes within these modules. For example, on-board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y may represent different types of work machine components that perform various operations associated with the type of work machine  120 . For instance, on-board component  240 - 1  may be one or more engine components, while on-board component  240 -Y may represent one or more transmission type components.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  will be used to illustrate various embodiments using the on-board modules ( 230 - 1  to  230 -N) and on-board components ( 240 - 1  to  240 -Y) discussed above. In one embodiment, at least one of on-board modules  230 - 1  to  230 -N may be configured to receive work machine operation data (“work data”). For the sake of simplicity,  FIG. 3  illustrates on-board module  230 - 1  as being the on-board module configured to receive the work data. However, other on-board modules may be used to receive the work data.  
         [0033]     In another embodiment, at least one of on-board components  240 - 1  to  240 -Y may be configured to receive the work data. For the sake of simplicity,  FIG. 3  illustrates on-board component  240 -Y as being the on-board module configured to receive the work data. However, other on-board components may be used to receive the work data. In this embodiment, the work data received by on-board component  240 -Y may be transferred to on-board module  230 -N.  
         [0034]     In either of the above-mentioned embodiments, one or more identification technologies may be used to identify an operator. For example, a radio frequency device  310  (e.g., an RFID tag) may be used to identify an operator. Radio frequency device  310  may consist of a chip attached to an antenna. A scanner (not shown), which may be located at an on-board module  230 - 1  or on-board component module  240 -Y, may be used to scan the chip. In a passive device, a small amount of radio frequency is passed from the scanner to energize the chip, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting an operator&#39;s unique personal verification (chip ID) number. In an active device, the chip may provide a power source for emitting the radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal transfers the chip ID to interface control system  220  for verification.  
         [0035]     Additionally, or alternatively, on-board system  124  may include means for receiving an operator identification code. Such means may include, for example, a switch or similar device, configured to receive key data from a key device (e.g., smart card, smart key, etc.) having operator identification data stored therein.  
         [0036]     In addition to the operator identification information, through various sensors (not shown) connected, or transmitting data, to on-board modules ( 230 - 1  to  230 -N) and/or on-board components ( 240 - 1  to  240 -Y), interface control system  220  may collect the work data. For example, the work data may include data such as gas consumption, load weight, idle time, number of engine starts, load type, work machine type, terrain type, terrain grade, type of material manipulated by the work machine, hours of operation, fluid levels, fluid consumptions, work site parameter data, and any other type of information related to work machine  120  and/or the work site, terrain etc., associated with work machine  120 .  
         [0037]     In the above embodiment, interface control system  220  may collect the operator identification information and work data. The collected information may be transferred to an off-board system, such as remote off-board system  110 , which may represent one or more computing systems associated with a business entity corresponding to work machines  120 ,  130 , and  140  ( FIG. 1 ), such as a manufacturer, dealer, retailer, owner, project site manager, a department of a business entity (e.g., service center, operations support center, logistics center, etc.), or any other type of entity that generates, maintains, sends, and/or receives information associated with machines  120 ,  130 , and  140 .  
         [0038]     Through wireless communication devices  122 ,  132 , and  142  ( FIG. 1 ), interface control system  220  may transmit the collected work data and operator identification information to remote systems, such as off-board system  110  and other work machines. In one embodiment, interface control system  220  may transmit the collected information to the remote system(s) in response to a request or an event. The request may be initiated by a component of work machine  120 . Further, the event may be associated with a hardware or software event, such as a command initiated by a program for providing automatic scheduled communications (e.g., periodic reporting applications, etc.).  
         [0039]     In one embodiment, off-board system  110  may receive and process the operator identification and work data.  FIG. 4A  illustrates and exemplary database structure for storing and presenting operator identification and work data. The database structure shown in  FIG. 4A  may be stored in a memory device in a work machine or off-board system  110  and is accessible and used by a processing device configured to perform processes consistent with the disclosed embodiments.  
         [0040]     In  FIG. 4A , for exemplary purposes only, the gas consumption (GC) for each of a plurality of work machines (WM#) is indexed based on respective operator identification information (OP#). For example, the gas consumption for work machine # 3  (WM# 3 ) is indexed based on the operator identification information for operator (OP# 1 ) and is stored in cell  402 . In similar fashion, the gas consumption for work machine # 2  (WM# 2 ) is indexed based on the operator identification for operator # 4  (OP# 4 ) and is stored in cell  404 .  
         [0041]     The values corresponding to the gas consumption stored in the cells of the exemplary database structure (e.g., GCWM11) may reflect an amount of fuel consumed by each respective work machine over a predetermined period of time, such as between reporting events, a defined number of operating hours, etc. It should be noted that the fuel consumption data is exemplary, and any type of work data may be collected and stored in the database structures described herein.  
         [0042]     In another embodiment, off-board system  110  may receive and process the operator identification information and work data. The work data may be indexed based on the operator identification information and take into account other work machine related parameters. In this embodiment, the operator identification information and work data may be stored and presented in a three-dimensional matrix.  FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary database structure for storing and presenting operator identification, work data, and a work machine related parameter. In  FIG. 4B , the gas consumption for each work machine (WM#) is indexed based on the operator identification information (OP#) and the grade incline (GI) for the worksite where the work machine is being used. For example, the gas consumption for work machine # 1  (WM# 1 ) is indexed based on the operator identification information for operator (OP# 1 ) and a grade incline of  20  degrees (GI 20 ) and is stored in cell  406 . In similar fashion, the gas consumption for work machine # 1  (WM# 1 ) is indexed based on the operator identification for operator # 1  (OP# 1 ) and a grade incline of 40 degrees (GI 40 ) and is stored in cell  408 .  
         [0043]     In addition to the fuel consumption discussed above, other work data (e.g., load weight, number of engine starts, engine idle time, etc.) and work machine related parameters (if required) may be indexed to an identified operator.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are non-limiting exemplary database structures. Other structures known in the art may used to store and present the operator identification information, work data, and the work machine related parameters.  
         [0044]     In the above mentioned embodiments, off-board system  110  may provide the collected work data, operator identification, and work related parameters (if required) to an operator interface (not shown). In the same or in an alternate embodiment, interface control system  220  may also provide the collected work data, operator identification, and work related parameters (if required) to an operator interface (not shown). Through the operator interface, an operator may instruct off-board system  110  and/or interface control system  220  to provide work machine utilization metrics using the stored work data, operator identification, and work related parameters (if required).  
         [0045]     These metrics may reflect quantitative values associated with the performance of a work machine, operator, or groups of work machines and/or operators. For example,  FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of exemplary work machine utilization metrics in which the load weight/hour (Lw/hr) of a group of work machines are grouped for analysis to determine the performance of the group. In this example, the work data (Lw/hr  502 ) for work machine # 1  (WM# 1 ) and operator # 1  (OP# 1 ) and the work data (Lw/hr  504 ) for work machine  2  (WM# 2 ) and operator # 2  (OP# 2 ) are represented as group  512 . Similarly, the work data (Lw/hr  506 ) for work machine # 3  (WM# 3 ) and operator # 3  (OP# 3 ) and the work data (Lw/hr  508 ) for work machine  4  (WM# 4 ) and operator # 4  (OP# 4 ) are represented as group  514 . These exemplary groupings may be used to analyze the performance of a particular worksite or group of work machines under the supervision of a particular individual or group of individuals.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for providing work machine utilization metrics. Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, interface control system  220  may receive operator identification information (Step  602 ). As explained, different types of identification technologies may be used to identify an operator. For example, a radio frequency device  310  ( FIG. 3 ) or smart card/key device may be used to transmit a chip ID to interface control system  220  for verification of the operator. If the operator is not verified based on the identification information, interface control system  220  may return to Step  602  to receive additional operator identification information (Step  604 ; no).  
         [0047]     If the operator is verified (Step  604 ; yes), interface control system  220  receives the work data associated with its respective work machine (Step  606 ). At some point, interface control system  220  stores the work data and work related parameters (if required) indexed to the operator identification information. (Step  608 ).  
         [0048]     At Step  610 , interface control system  220  determines whether the indexed work data is to be analyzed on-board. If this determination is in the affirmative (Step  610 ; yes), interface control system  220  further determines if the indexed work data is to be grouped for analysis (Step  614 ). If this determination is in the affirmative (Step  614 ; yes), interface control system  220  may group and analyze the data based on the identified group (Step  618 ).  
         [0049]     Analysis of the work data may include determining metric values for various mapped combinations of work machine parameter and operator identifiers. These metrics may be compared to determine those work machines and/or operators that either display efficient or non-efficient operations. The efficiency of these entities may be based on a relationship of metrics collected for a plurality of similar type entities associated with similar parameters, work site types, terrain types, and/or work machine types. For example, it may be appropriate to refrain from analyzing or comparing the performance metrics of an operator using a loader machine in a mining work site with an operator using a loader machine in an agricultural work site. Along the same lines, it may be desirable to refrain from analyzing and comparing operators using different types of work machines. The above noted rules are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Certain embodiments may include metric analysis of different work machine types, work site types, etc.  
         [0050]     Once the interface control system  220  completes its analysis, the results from this processing may be reported for subsequent review by a computer implemented process or an individual (Step  620 ). However, if interface control system  220  determines that the indexed work data is not to be grouped (Step  614 ; no), the indexed work data is analyzed for an individual operator (Step  616 ) and the resulting metrics information is reported to an operator (Step  620 ).  
         [0051]     If at Step  610 , interface control system  220  determines that indexed work data is to be analyzed by an off-board system (Step  610 ; no), the indexed work data is transmitted to an off-board system, such as remote off-board system  110 .  FIG. 7  is an exemplary flow chart showing the process that may be performed by the off-board system. As  FIG. 7  illustrates, the off-board system receives and stores the indexed work data (Step  702 ) transmitted from interface control system  220  and, at some point, determines if the indexed work data is to be grouped for analysis (Step  703 ). If this determination is in the affirmative (Step  703 ; yes), the indexed work data is grouped and analyzed based on the identified group (Step  706 ) in a manner consistent with the processes described above in connection with steps  618  and  616  of  FIG. 6 . The resulting metrics information from the analysis may be reported to a computer implemented process and/or individual for subsequent analysis, display, etc. (Step  710 ). However, if the off-board system determines that the indexed work data is not to be grouped (Step  708 ; no), the indexed work data is analyzed for an individual operator (Step  704 ) and the resulting metrics information is reported to a computer implemented process or individual for subsequent analysis, display, etc. (Step  710 ).  
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
       [0052]     Methods and systems consistent with exemplary disclosed embodiments allow work machines to receive operator identification information and index work data (e.g., fuel consumption, load weight, engine starts, engine idle time, etc.), and other work machine related parameters (if required), to the operator identification information. Utilizing the disclosed methods and systems, it is possible to identify an operator and index work data and work machine related parameters, if required, to the operator. The indexed information may be provided to a user interface at the work machine or transmitted to an off-board system for display on a user interface. Based on the indexed information, work machine utilization metrics may be performed to improve work machine performance.  
         [0053]     In certain embodiments, the results form the metric analysis processes performed by either off-board system  110  or work machine  120  may be further processed to adjust operations associated with the monitored operators and/or work machines. For instance, a software program or individual may analyze the performance information for a certain type of work machine operated by different operators in a common work site over a predetermined period of time. Using the parameter data, the process or individual may identify those operators who are more efficient in operating the monitored work machine. For example, the value GCWM12 in  FIG. 4A  may reflect that OP# 2  uses less fuel over a similar time period than OP# 1 , based on the value GCWM11. As explained, further analysis may be performed using the three or n-dimensional data relationships stored in the data structure shown in  FIG. 4B . Accordingly, the operations of work machines and operators may be monitored and adjusted through use of the systems and methods consistent with certain disclosed embodiments.  
         [0054]     Another application of the disclosed embodiments include managing the performance of a fleet or work machines operating at one or more work sites. That is, certain embodiments enable an individual or an entity to process individual, or groups of, machine operational data indexed by one or more operators into work site and fleet utilization metrics. Using these metrics, the individual or entity operating off-board system  110 , or a work machine, may manage the operations and performance of a fleet of machines and make adjustments to the machine operations. For example, if a group of work machines operating at a particular work site are associated with utilization metrics that reflect an inefficient performance of one or more tasks at the work site, the individual or entity may reassign the operators of the machines in an attempt to increase efficiency and performance of those machines. Additionally, the individual or entity may reassign tasks to selected work machines and/or operators based on the metrics evaluated by off-board system  110 . Moreover, individuals in charge of managing one or more of the machines at the work site may also be reassigned, such as changing foreman or supervisors based on the determined metrics of the one or more work machines.  
         [0055]     In another embodiment, off-board system  110 , or a work machine (e.g., work machine  120 ) may be configured to analyze the determine metrics of one or more work machines to manage the performance and operations of multiple work sites. For example, a manager of a company that have work machines operating at multiple work sites may assess the performance of each of the work sites, fleets of work machines, and/or individual or groups of individuals based on the indexed utilization metrics determined from the operational data collected from the machines operating at those work sites. Based on the assessment, the manager may reassign machines, operators, and/or tasks at one or more of these work sites. The performance assessments may be performed manually and/or automatically through the use of software programs configured to evaluate the collected metrics.  
         [0056]     Other embodiments, features, aspects, and principles of the disclosed exemplary systems may be implemented in various environments and are not limited to work site environment. For example, a work machine having the features of the disclosed system may perform the functions described herein in other environments, such as mobile environments between job sites, geographic locations, and settings. Further, the processes disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particular system and may be implemented by a suitable combination of electrical-based components. Embodiments other than those expressly described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed systems. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.