The Fulcrum Focus

GeoAI combines artificial intelligence with geospatial data in a deep learning model to help field teams work faster, make better decisions, and stay ahead of operational challenges. This blog explains how GeoAI evolved, what it enables today, and how it’s reshaping asset management, risk detection, and resource planning across industries. It also explores practical considerations like implementation, data security, and future trends including IoT integration and adaptive machine learning.

For companies in sectors like construction, as well as in field-oriented industries like telecom and utilities, the scope and complexity of in-house and field operations mean they’re often just squeaking by: for example, construction general contractors average a mere 4% profit margin (versus an average of 15.5% across all industries). In addition, keeping costs contained is critical for highly regulated telecoms and utilities that are subject to much scrutiny regarding profits, and, in the case of utilities, usually require government approval to raise rates.

In this article we explore how field data collection with mobile GIS cloud platforms like Fulcrum enable seamless, real-time communication and coordination between field and office teams. By capturing geospatial data instantly and sharing it across locations; organizations can make faster, smarter decisions and operate more efficiently.

Learn how pairing field-first platforms with ArcGIS strengthens GIS accuracy and improves workflows, and how structured, real-time field data collection eliminates delays and integrates cleanly into ArcGIS systems.

Explore why regular field inspections are essential for maintaining operational efficiency across construction, engineering, and utility teams, and how a consistent, well-managed field inspection process helps teams catch issues early, improve coordination, and reduce costly delays.

Find out how rapid changes in environmental regulations pressure field operations across industries like utilities, construction, and oil and gas. Discover the the operational risks of relying on outdated systems for regulatory change management, and how flexible, configurable field data collection platforms like Fulcrum ensure fast adaptation, maintain regulatory compliance during disruptions, and avoid costly rework.

Discover how Fulcrum FieldTech improves GIS data collection or geospatial data by streamlining processes, boosting data accuracy, and enhancing team efficiency through modern, customizable, and real-time tools to address common field operation challenges.

Effective GIS data management goes beyond plotting points on a map. It requires structured, accurate workflows that ensure every piece of spatial data is reliable, consistent, and useful. Whether you’re managing infrastructure, monitoring environmental changes, or tracking field assets, the ability to collect, standardize, and integrate data seamlessly is key to making informed decisions.

Field teams and GIS teams often seem like they speak entirely different languages. Your GIS teams rely on precise data, accurate coordinates, and timely geospatial information to guide important decisions. Field teams need straightforward, simple-to-use field data collection software that let them execute their workflows while quickly and unobtrusively capturing important data.

Field teams across industries rely on location data to get work done. Whether they’re maintaining power lines, monitoring ecosystems, or planning new infrastructure, they need more than static maps. GIS for field operations ensures they have actionable spatial data to collect, analyze, and make informed decisions in the field.

Field teams rely on GIS to map infrastructure, assets, and environmental features, but too often, those maps don’t match reality. Pipelines, power lines, roads, and land boundaries shift over time, while GIS data lags behind, leading to costly mistakes.

Optimizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for field management goes far beyond basic mapping solutions. GIS optimizations focus on customization, automation, mobile integration, and clean data to transform GIS from a static storage tool into a dynamic driver of operational efficiency and smarter decision-making.

Fulcrum Audio FastFill is transforming how field teams collect data, offering faster, hands-free workflows through AI-powered voice input. Before this feature became widely available, early adopters were already putting it to the test on their custom Fulcrum apps. Their feedback has given us valuable insights into how organizations can optimize their forms and workflows for this game-changing tool.

Fulcrum Audio FastFill is a voice-powered AI feature that replaces manual typing with real-time, structured voice dictation for field data capture. It solves common problems in the field by turning spoken input into accurate records, helping teams move faster and stay focused on their work.

Digital transformation promises to revolutionize field operations, unlocking unprecedented efficiency, precision, and insight. But as exciting as this future sounds, the path to get there can be fraught with challenges. From unclear goals to resistance among team members, even the most promising field technology initiatives can falter. The good news? By anticipating these pitfalls, your organization can sidestep them and pave the way for meaningful, lasting change.

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry faces unique challenges: complex projects, tight deadlines, and ever-increasing client demands. But a digital revolution is underway, offering solutions to these challenges and reshaping how we design, build, and manage the world around us. This transformation is leading to a fundamental rethinking of workflows, collaboration, and the very nature of construction itself. To understand why, let’s explore the forces driving this digital revolution and how it’s changing the AEC landscape.

The landscape of utility field inspections is rapidly evolving. AI-powered UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle), aka drones, are taking center stage, offering a safer, faster, and more efficient alternative to traditional ground-based methods. 

Infrastructure inspections have always been essential to maintaining the structures that connect and sustain modern society. These field inspections are critical for bridges, pipelines, power grids, and roadways, but they have traditionally been slow, expensive, and risky. Teams conducting inspections often rely on labor-intensive processes that involve scaling dangerous heights or working in hazardous environments. These methods are not only inefficient but often fail to capture the full picture needed for accurate maintenance planning.

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) consulting firms face growing challenges, from managing complex projects to maintaining compliance and delivering on increasingly tight deadlines. Manual workflows and disconnected tools can often exacerbate these pressures, creating inefficiencies that slow progress and increase costs.

Modern cities face mounting challenges. Populations continue to grow, infrastructure ages, and the demand for sustainability rises. For construction managers, field operations teams, and project leaders, this creates a clear need for smarter, more efficient ways to manage resources and infrastructure. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and asset management provide the tools to meet these demands head-on.

Reinforced concrete inspections are tough work. Inspectors squint at cracks, measure with gauges, jot down notes, and hope their instincts hit the mark. It’s slow, inconsistent, and overdue for an upgrade. With aging infrastructure presenting growing challenges, traditional visual assessments alone don’t cut it.

Preventive maintenance is a cornerstone of asset management, and for many organizations, integrating AI into their maintenance programs seems like a no-brainer. Yet, while businesses race to harness AI’s analytical power, they’re often overlooking a critical factor: their data. In fact, many teams are falling into a common trap—focusing on AI’s potential without addressing the data quality issues that undermine its effectiveness.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become indispensable in engineering and consulting, offering a unique combination of spatial analysis, data visualization, and decision-making tools. Platforms like Esri’s ArcGIS provide engineers and consultants with robust tools for spatial analysis and decision-making, making GIS an integral part of modern workflows. Whether it’s improving project planning, enhancing design accuracy, or advancing sustainability, GIS empowers professionals to work smarter and deliver better outcomes. Here are five key ways GIS is driving transformation across the industry.

Greetings, everyone. Today, I’m thrilled to share an important step forward for Fulcrum, one that brings to life our vision of enabling field efficiency and unifying the field with the office. 

AI-driven field data collection makes fieldwork smoother, faster, and error-free. With modern tools at their fingertips, field teams now capture real-time insights and act on data directly in the field. Industries like utilities, engineering, telecom, and environmental management are getting actionable information on the spot, cutting out delays and transforming raw data into instant solutions.

Field engineers work under constant pressure to provide accurate, up-to-date insights from the field. Delays or outdated information can lead to costly mistakes, stalled projects, and missed deadlines. Real-time data syncing has evolved into an essential tool that keeps projects moving, enhances accuracy, and supports seamless decision-making across teams. In this blog, we’ll explore how real-time syncing elevates the role of field engineers, helping them deliver results with speed and precision.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina faces monumental challenges—and opportunities—in rebuilding. Flooding, landslides, deforestation, and contaminated waterways are just some of the issues communities now confront. The impact goes beyond physical infrastructure; it reaches into the heart of local ecosystems, leaving scars that will take years to heal. However, with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry working together, the region has a path to rebuild stronger and smarter, creating resilient landscapes prepared for future disasters.

Urban infrastructure is in serious trouble. Decades-old bridges, pipes, roads, and grids are buckling under the weight of growing populations and years of neglect. Potholes that swallow cars, bridges hanging on by a thread, water mains bursting—this isn’t the future anyone had in mind. For the engineers, city planners, and field ops teams on the front lines, aging infrastructure is like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole with crises popping up faster than they can handle.

When it comes to managing your GIS systems, control is everything. Esri ArcGIS Enterprise gives you full command over your GIS infrastructure, and now with Fulcrum’s integration, that control extends seamlessly to your field data collection. Whether it’s GIS, IT, or field operations, Fulcrum ensures that your data stays secure and fully within your grasp—just the way you need it. 

Urban planners face increasing pressure to create more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable cities. As populations grow and resources become more strained, planners need accurate, real-time data to make decisions that will shape the future. Geospatial data solutions are revolutionizing urban planning by offering a detailed view of the spatial relationships within a city. This helps to optimize land use, improve infrastructure, and enhance transportation networks.

For GIS professionals, managing geospatial data can be a complex, multi-step process. Fulcrum’s seamless integration with ArcGIS simplifies this by allowing teams to collect and sync data directly into the ArcGIS platform. This eliminates manual data transfers, reduces errors, and speeds up data management for faster decision-making. With Fulcrum, field teams and GIS analysts collaborate easily, ensuring accurate, consistent data across both platforms.

Managing architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects has always been a high-wire balancing act. Coordinating site inspections, managing project timelines, and ensuring safety compliance are just a few of the challenges project managers face daily.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are giving architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals clearer insights that drive smarter decisions. GIS transforms complex spatial data into a usable format, helping teams visualize site conditions, understand risks, and plan with greater precision. By adding location-based information to project workflows, GIS makes it easier to avoid costly mistakes, manage environmental factors, and optimize resources. As the complexity of projects increases, GIS is becoming a crucial tool for navigating site challenges, urban planning, infrastructure management, and disaster preparation.

The fieldwork landscape is changing fast, evolving from outdated manual processes into a domain driven by AI-powered solutions. What used to be a slow, error-filled, paper-based process has evolved into a system driven by digital precision, efficiency, and real-time decision-making. As the leap from paper to tech, and now to field AI, transforms how on-site operations are conducted, the result is not just faster processes, but smarter, more reliable workflows.

Field operations often suffer from inefficiencies and errors due to inconsistent processes. Standardizing your field processes is a powerful way to mitigate these challenges, ensuring smoother workflows, reduced mistakes, and faster project completion. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of standardizing field processes and how this approach can transform your operations.

If you’re not quite on board with the idea of practical AI, you’re not alone. Between generating nightmare images of uncanny valley mutants with too many (and too bendy) fingers and news stories of AI missteps and hallucinations, it’s easy to dismiss AI as another tech novelty. 

The geospatial industry is experiencing a profound shift, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving user expectations, and an unyielding demand for more intelligent workflows. The Trimble State of the Global Geospatial Industry 2024 report highlights several key trends shaping the future of this field—from the essential need for reliable field data collection to the decisive move towards Software as a Service (SaaS) models. 

At Fulcrum, we pride ourselves on enabling loose coupling in your workflows. But what does that mean? Loose coupling integration allows different systems and components to work together seamlessly, without heavy dependencies on each other. This flexibility makes it easy to integrate new features or replace components without disrupting the entire system.

Efficient data management is essential for success in field operations. Fulcrum, an industry-leading field data collection and process management platform, offers robust tools to automate data workflows, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy. This blog explores the benefits and processes of automating data exchanges between Fulcrum and other platforms, providing practical steps and real-world examples to guide users in implementing these integrations.

Efficient and accurate data collection is the backbone of many businesses, especially those with teams in the field. Integrating your field data collection platform with other systems can significantly enhance your operations. This integration not only boosts efficiency and accuracy but also provides numerous other benefits that can transform how your business functions. Here, we explore these benefits and outline steps for a successful integration.

Subsidence is the gradual sinking or settling of the Earth’s surface, driven by both natural forces like soil compaction and human activities such as groundwater extraction and mining. Threatening more than two billion people globally, The effects of subsidence include cracked building foundations, reduced aquifer capacity, damaged infrastructure, increased coastal flooding, and habitat deterioration. With urban expansion leading to increased groundwater extraction and climate change intensifying drought conditions, the need to monitor and mitigate subsidence has never been more critical.

Achieving a balance between customization and standardization in field processes is essential to maintain flexibility while ensuring consistency and efficiency. Here’s how to strike that balance effectively.

As we gear up for the 2024 Esri User Conference, Fulcrum is excited to showcase several groundbreaking features and recent developments that enhance geospatial field data collection and management. These innovations promise to streamline field operations and improve data reliability, setting a new standard for GIS integration and field data handling.

Implementing new field software can significantly enhance operational efficiency and data accuracy, but it requires careful planning and execution. To ensure a successful implementation, here are five best practice tips to guide you through the process!

Geospatial technology is revolutionizing various industries, particularly energy management. As the cornerstone of sustainability and efficiency, geospatial technology – comprising Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, and drone technology – offers profound insights and optimization capabilities across sectors. Optimizing energy resource management not only addresses immediate operational efficiencies but also steers the global sustainability agenda. This blog explores the powerful connection between geospatial technology and the energy sector, highlighting how it can drive transformation and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Hey there, Fulcrum community! Jim Grady here, and I’m very excited to share some news that marks a significant milestone for us at Fulcrum and, more importantly, for you, our valued users. Our journey with Esri has taken an exciting turn, and I’m here to dive into what this means for all of us.

Industries such as environmental consulting and utility services are increasingly recognizing the practical benefits of Fulcrum’s platform for field data collection and process management. Fulcrum’s approach focuses on rapidly evolving existing workflows to improve efficiency. Join us as we explore case studies from GeoForce, Great Lakes Wellhead Inc. (GLW), DIEHLUX, and TREKK Design Group to see firsthand how Fulcrum’s technology streamlines tasks and boosts overall efficiency with field workflow automation.

Geospatial data integration involves combining geospatial data (which is data related to specific geographic locations) from various sources into a single, comprehensive dataset. This process typically requires harmonizing different data formats, coordinate systems, and data models. The integrated data can then be analyzed and visualized more effectively, providing a comprehensive geographical perspective. This is particularly useful in fields like urban and rural development, environmental management, and construction, where understanding spatial relationships and patterns is crucial for decision-making and planning.

Even though you might not have heard the term “FieldTech ecosystem,” if you’re with an organization that collects data outside of an office setting, you have one. 

Geo Week 2024 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). The event showcased significant advances in airborne, terrestrial, and commercial 3D technologies. In response to evolving geospatial and built world professionals’ needs, it brought together experts, innovators, and enthusiasts from around the globe. As a result, it served as a melting pot of technology, ideas, and advancements in the field. Moreover, it emphasized the fusion of traditional geospatial methods with the latest trends. Additionally, it integrated AI and big data analytics into mapping and spatial analysis.

FieldTech refers to the specialized technology and systems designed for outdoor operations and fieldwork. Unlike traditional office-based technologies, field technology solutions are crafted to meet the unique challenges faced by teams working in diverse and often remote environments. This encompasses a wide range of hardware and software, from GPS, sensors, drones, and GoPros, to data collection and asset management to real-time communication, all tailored to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and safety of field operations.