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Built to act: Agentic AI for field operations
Agentic AI is poised to transform field operations by executing repetitive tasks autonomously, adapting to changing conditions, and reducing the need for human coordination. This evolution in agentic AI for field operations is built on decades of progress and now stands ready to address real-world challenges in industries like utilities, construction, environmental consulting, and others.

How GeoAI is shaping the future of field operations
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.

Prevent losses by using field inspection software for GIS asset management
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.

How GIS mobile data collection connects teams across distances
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.

How field-first platforms extend the value of ArcGIS solutions
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.

Why regular field inspection process is critical for operational efficiency
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.

When environmental regulations shift, will your team be ready?
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.

Time-saving GIS data collection techniques
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.

Smart maps & custom forms: Enhancing GIS data management
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.

Fulcrum: The missing link between ArcGIS & field data collection
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.

Five industries leveraging GIS lines and polygons for smarter field operations
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.

How AI and GIS lines and polygons are transforming field data collection
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.

How to maximize your GIS application for optimal field management
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.

Build smarter: Tips for optimizing your Fulcrum apps for AI and Audio FastFill
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.

Audio FastFill: Field data capture using voice dictation
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.

Successful digital transformation starts with smarter field technology adoption
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.

What’s fueling digital transformation in AEC?
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.

How AI-powered UAVs are transforming utility inspections
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 redefined by technology
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.

Fulcrum’s approach to efficiency for AEC consulting firms
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.

GIS and asset management: Building smart city solutions
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.

Enhancing infrastructure inspections with AI and mixed reality
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.

How field AI advances preventive maintenance efficiency
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.

Five essential applications of GIS in engineering and consulting
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.

Embracing a new era in AI-supported field data collection and process management with Fulcrum
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: tools, techniques, and trends
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.

Why real-time field data syncing is crucial for field engineers
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.

The Role of GIS and AEC in Hurricane Helene recovery
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.

Modernizing aging infrastructure: How smart cities are leading the way
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.

Fulcrum’s Esri ArcGIS Enterprise integration: Enhancing control and efficiency for self-managed GIS
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.

Geospatial data solutions in modern urban planning
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.

How Fulcrum’s GIS integration makes ArcGIS data management easier
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.

IMGIS for smart AEC field project management
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.

How GIS is shaping the future of AEC
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.

From manual to AI: The evolution of fieldwork practices
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.

Standardizing field processes saves time and reduces mistakes
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.

Applying AI and field data collection to revolutionize field ops
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.

How Fulcrum aligns with geospatial industry trends
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.

Loose coupling, easy integrations with Fulcrum
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.

Using Fulcrum to automate field data workflows
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.

Why you need to integrate field data collection with other systems
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.

Addressing global subsidence risks: how field data collection can help
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.

Balancing customization and standardization in field processes
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.

Unveiling Fulcrum tools at the 2024 Esri User Conference
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.

Best practices for implementing new field software
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!

The intersection of geospatial technology and energy management
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.

Fulcrum strengthens geospatial capabilities with Esri Bronze partnership
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.

Exploring field workflow automation in geospatial industries with Fulcrum
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.

Fulcrum’s role in geospatial data integration
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.

Fulcrum’s central role in integrated office and FieldTech ecosystems
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: Exploring the future of geospatial intelligence
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.

What is FieldTech?
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.