Wandering through Acme Tools, I spotted a huge closed Knaack jobsite box. Upon seeing my interest, a salesperson walked up and started giving me the pitch: "Here, let me show you the bigscreen TV." My curiosity piqued.
Knaack is well known for their jobsite storage boxes, which are typically used for safeguarding tools and supplies from the elements and would-be thieves.
The Knaack DataVault (118-01) is very different, as it doesn't just store a crew's tools. The DataVault is designed to give workers a way to manage, secure, and access electronic plans and other digital assets, right on site.
Knaack describes the DataVault as a Digital Plan Station, but it's also much more than that – it could even be described as a mobile electronics hub.
Additional features include heavy-duty all-steel construction, heavy duty non-marring casters, fork-lift skids, a 4-point lift kit, recessed handles, Watchmen 4 lock system, and independent locking storage hatch.
The top doors open separately from the bottom, and the keyboard drawer locks downs, so you can restrict access to your computer while still using the display. On the inside of both upper doors are whiteboards for memos and notes. When you open the bottom doors, heavy duty sliding drawers let you access the printer easier, and you can load the other one with a computer or whatever else you want quick access to.
Knaack builds each powder-coated DataVault from 16 gauge steel, (the floor is 14 gauge). Given its size, construction the DataVault is heavy — 742lbs when loaded with electronics. The DataVault is also big. It measures 60.5″ long x 30″ wide x 77″ tall, with lift brackets and castors installed.
While the DataVault is large, you can move it around 3 different ways. You could grab the recessed handled and roll the DataVault on the non-marring casters. It's designed to fit through a standard 36″ wide door. You could also lift and move the DataVault with a forklift, thanks to the 4-way skids. Finally, you could also install the 4-point lift kit and place the DataVault with a crane.
Knaack lists the DataValut at $6000. It's hard to find a retailer that'll just give you the price straight up, but ToolUp does list it for a $5500 on their website.
It's a near-complete mobile digital hub and resource center — just add your own computer!
If you're still interested, check out Knaack's DataVault promotional video.
If this model (118-01) is a little too much for you, Knaack makes a smaller one, model 118-M, that has a smaller monitor (32″) and a few less features and components.
It seems like an interesting idea, but it comes with a healthy markup. You could purchase a similar sized Knaak cabinet retail (at Home Depot) for $1900 and it has at best $1000 worth of monitors, printers, UPS, and whiteboard (if you bought those retail). What's the other $3000 for? Wheels and stickers?
Personally I find it interesting that the construction industry is headed towards tech. But it is amusing to me that this cabinet doesn't come with anything that would store "data" as it's DATAVAULT name suggests. From the headline I figured there was some sort of rugged server hooked up to a RAID setup with a router built in. Turns out it's just a big ol' metal case that has some accessories for your laptop.
That Wifi symbol down at the corner kept getting to me. I had to go back and check when I was writing this several times to make sure a Wifi router wasn't included.
The actual cost is probably even lower than $5500, especially seeing all the "Call for Prices." Since they seem to be one of the first companies into this area, I'm sure they are charging everything they think they can get.
Once this is out for a while and/or they get some competition, the actual price will probably drop further.
There is more and more merging of electronics and construction every day – with electronic "blueprints" showing up on jobsites. For us small fish – instruments like my Leica Disto changed how we measured and then fabricated. My countertop guy was even more sophisticated. On big jobs, total engineering stations are showing up on site not only in the survey phase – but now for construction management. Still, while we loved our Knaack boxes, this one does seem a bit pricey for what it purports to do.
i'm a little surprised there isn't a pull out or drop down extra work surface for a laptop or a place to take notes if you're reviewing something on the monitor – the area where a keyboard would sit is somewhat limited…for $6,000?
I'm probably off base, but every time I see a box of this construction, I am instantly reminded of every rusted/ugly delta toolbox I have ever seen.
In my mind, this concept would be more attractive in a modular, pelican case, mainly thermoplastic style construction.
I'm curious if anyone can outline a situation where the utility of this unit isn't hindered by its limited portability.
I think the limited portability is the utility rather than a hindrance. The goal of this unit is to place something on a job-site for the duration of a project that thieves can't easily remove or brake into. Pelican makes some lovely solutions for modular offices, but unless they are guarded 24/7 they or their contents will be stolen.