Video: Ditch Witch’s Orange Intel Shows Where Fleet Telematics Is Headed Next (Jobsite Control Centers)

Telematics isn’t just tracking machines these days. It’s running jobsites. The latest platforms act like command centers, pulling in data from every corner of an operation. A great example of this is Ditch Witch’s Orange Intel. We recently took a close look at the system — and how it’s helping underground contractors connect machines, workflows, and reporting into one place. At the Ditch Witch booth at Conexpo, we caught up with Cory Maker to walk us through Orange Intel — the company’s evolving telematics and fleet management platform. The video is embedded above. Watch it. It’s one of the clearest looks at where fleet data is heading.

Telematics becomes the jobsite control center

Telematics in 2026 looks different than it did five years ago. We used to track hours, location, and maybe fault codes. That was enough. Not anymore. Today’s platforms act like business centers. They connect machines, operational data, jobsite specs, and reporting into one system. Orange Intel fits right into that trend. It pulls data from drills, locating equipment, fluid systems, and mapping tools into a single interface. That sounds just about perfect for underground contractors running directional drills and complex utility jobs. These crews generate massive amounts of data. And increasingly, that data determines whether they get paid.

What Orange Intel actually does

Orange Intel started as a service tool. It has grown into something bigger. At its core, the platform connects the full job lifecycle:

• Pre-inspection and planning
• Analyze machine data like thrust, torque, rotation force, and more
• Security features like live GPS and geofencing
• Automated service alerts and monitoring
• Track and export regulatory standards reporting
• Collect and share post-job reporting
• Access your dashboards from virtually any device
• Track diesel and DEF tank levels
• Access fault codes, engine load, hydraulic pressure, and other machine-specific data.
• Find and analyze historical data logging and reports
• Check out more features here

That end-to-end visibility is the real story

Instead of jumping between systems, crews get one place to see everything. The platform also focuses heavily on usability. That came up repeatedly in our conversation. Data only matters if people can understand it. Orange Intel organizes thousands of data points into visual dashboards, graphs, and reports. It helps crews tell the story of a job — what happened, when it happened, and why it matters. And yes, that story now ties directly to billing, compliance, and bid specs.

Data is becoming the product

Here’s the bigger shift. Construction companies are starting to treat jobsite data as an asset. Not just a byproduct. On complex underground jobs, drill data can include thousands of points per bore. That data now feeds reports, validates work, and even influences pricing decisions. In some cases, that data has value beyond the job itself. According to Maker in the video above, utilities and project owners want accurate digital records. They want mapping. They want proof. Platforms like Orange Intel aim to become the central hub for all of it — from initial locate to final as-built.

Watch the walkthrough

We covered a lot here, but the video shows it better. Maker walks through how Orange Intel works, how the dashboards look, and how contractors are using it today. He also explains how the platform evolved from basic telematics into a full digital ecosystem. If you manage underground equipment, this is worth your time. Watch the full video above. Then, maybe head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe. We’ve got lots more videos you’re going to want to see.