Utilities

By using AI to automatically identify and blur out faces in photo fields, Fulcrum makes it easy to protect privacy when collecting data.

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.

Managing field operations in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) is no small task. From keeping projects on schedule to ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, there’s no room for error. highlights the core field challenges AEC professionals face and provides solutions designed to keep your team running smoothly.

Welcome to the Issue 40 of the Fulcrum Insider, packed with insights to enhance your water management. From AI-driven tools to cloud-based solutions, we’re all about making your field teams more efficient and smarter on the job.

Get ready to see AI for field work in action, transforming your field operations! This demo takes you beyond the hype and shows exactly how AI-driven tools boost productivity, automate routine tasks, and eliminate manual data entry for field teams.

The fieldwork landscape is changing fast, evolving from outdated manual processes into a domain driven by AI-powered solutions.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.

Transform your field inspections with AI dictation in the field—no typing required. This demo highlights a sample task: a wood utility pole inspection. By integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT API, we convert spoken observations into structured form data, streamlining your workflow and cutting down on manual entry.

AI has advanced beyond the “figuring it out” phase and is now delivering clear, measurable benefits. As a result of recent technological advancements, field teams can now achieve significant ROI from AI by enhancing efficiency, boosting team productivity, and improving resiliency. Furthermore, these improvements are highly cost-effective, with every dollar invested in AI returning $8 to $18. Consequently, this significant return on investment frees up resources for other critical initiatives, making AI an indispensable tool for modern field operations.

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. 

Effective water infrastructure management requires accurate, real-time data to maintain clean water delivery and efficient waste management. Advanced field data collection platforms provide the insights needed to enhance water management strategies. Download our guide to learn how utilizing field data collection for water infrastructure can help you build resilient and sustainable systems.

Welcome to the Issue 39 of the Fulcrum Insider, your essential guide to the latest trends and insights in the world of GIS and field data management. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey with enterprise GIS solutions, our newsletter delivers the information you need to stay at the forefront of your industry.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening lives, property, and ecosystems. Understanding the causes behind these fires is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. In this blog, we will explore the primary causes of wildfires and how real-time field data collection tools are transforming our approach to mitigating these risks and wildfire prevention.

In industries like utilities, engineering, and environmental services, field data collection is a critical component of daily operations. You might consider developing a custom solution in-house to gain complete control over your processes. However, it’s important to carefully evaluate the costs and challenges of building from scratch versus the benefits of using a FieldTech Platform-as-a-Service solution.

If you’re considering migrating from Survey123 to Fulcrum but are concerned about potential challenges or disruptions, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive data sheet is designed to help you navigate the transition smoothly. This ensures that your operations continue seamlessly as you explore the benefits that Fulcrum has to offer.

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.

Watch this session to discover how Fulcrum is transforming field inspection workflows for thousands of clients. We’ll explore how teams use Fulcrum’s low-code toolkit to build dynamic solutions for digital field inspections. You’ll learn how to capture geopositioned images, record videos, and collect detailed inspection data efficiently.

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.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with remote sensing technologies is transforming groundwater monitoring, providing unparalleled insights into water quality across extensive geographical areas. This innovative approach is particularly beneficial for water utility and field operations teams looking to enhance their monitoring and management capabilities.

In this Issue 38 of the Fulcrum Insider, we’re all about Esri User Conference, our takeaways from the event, and sharing resources focused on the GIS element of the Fulcrum GIS field data collection platform. See below for a sneak peek!

Leaks in water distribution systems have long been a persistent problem for utilities. According to the EPA, leaks account for an average of 14 percent of treated water never reaching customers, with some systems experiencing water losses exceeding 60 percent. Traditional methods of leak detection can be inefficient and costly. To bridge the gap between these outdated practices and the need for more efficient and reliable water management, advanced solutions like acoustic monitoring are becoming crucial. Integrating this technology with comprehensive field data collection platforms like Fulcrum can significantly enhance leak detection and management capabilities for water utilities.

Urban areas are plagued by the eyesore and safety hazard of double utility poles. Addressing this issue requires a deeper understanding of why double poles exist, the scope of the problem, safety concerns, and effective solutions. Tools like Fulcrum can significantly streamline the management of this problem.

In our push for sustainable energy, hydroelectric power is a key player. It generates electricity without greenhouse gases, making it vital in combating climate change. The effectiveness of hydroelectric power relies on regular, advanced inspections to ensure safety and reliability. Additionally, these inspections optimize peak efficiency, maximizing hydroelectric power’s contribution to environmental conservation.

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.

Engineers, scientists, consultants and constructors helping municipal, private and federal agencies solve complex environmental challenges.

Ready to help turn your customers’ field operations from chaotic to cutting-edge? Discover the powerful benefits of a Fulcrum partnership. Download our data sheet now to see how we can give you the competitive edge you’ve been looking for.

Water utilities are facing unprecedented challenges today, including aging infrastructure, population growth, climate change, and regulatory pressures. To address these issues, many utilities are turning to cloud-based solutions which provide numerous advantages, including enhanced flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Read on to learn how cloud-based software can revolutionize field operations, streamline data management, and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for water utilities.

With changing climate patterns and increasing urbanization, proactive stormwater management has become essential for cities worldwide. The intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and hurricanes, are on the rise, posing significant threats to urban infrastructure and public safety. As cities expand, impervious surfaces like roads and buildings prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground, exacerbating the risk of flooding. 

Uncover how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing field operations in this on-demand webinar, presented in partnership with Geo Week. Learn practical steps to integrate FieldTech like drones and sensors as well as AI into field ops to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.

This customer success story explores how TREKK Design Group, LLC uses Fulcrum to revolutionize how it performs utility inspections. This Missouri-based civil engineering firm specializes in practical solutions for community growth and restoration. With expertise from road design to underground infrastructure, TREKK offers down-to-earth answers to complex challenges.

The Challenges

Needed to replace outdated paper-based inspections with a digital solution compatible with existing Access databases and Esri ArcGIS Online for GIS data

Field data collection quality control issues ranging from inaccurate or irrelevant data and/or missing location information.

Inspections of incorrect assets or structures within complex lines or grids due to inaccessible or missing spatial components.

Frustration in the field and home office fighting with non-purpose-built inspection and data collection tools while trying to deliver on customer reporting and compliance requirements

Unreliable hotspots and internet connection results in teams “flying blind” in the field, unable to access databases or reliably collect information

Key Outcomes

Ability to rapidly create customized, “smart” client and project-specific mobile inspection apps that enable data integration and use across GIS, asset management, and other client operations platforms

Guaranteed data accuracy and consistency using mobile inspection apps that make use of data-driven conditional and required field logic coupled with automatic latitude and longitude tagging of every record and data point

Asset inspections are validated by ensuring that the right location data flows directly from the GIS to the inspector’s handheld device

High field adoption and engagement with user-friendly mobile inspection apps created using a wide range of data types, conditional logic and streamlined workflows to deliver automated, turnkey reports included in GIS deliverables

Fulcrum’s offline data collection not only allows teams to use databases but also to collect geotagged information for later syncing, without worrying about a network

Background

TREKK provides a wide range of expertise to municipalities, specifically for utilities and transportation, encompassing design and planning, geospatial information systems and asset management, and construction engineering and inspections. TREKK aptly describe its services portfolio as follows: “Need a road designed? We can help. Want to understand your underground infrastructure? We can do that, too. Have a problem and just need a commonsense solution? We’ve got you covered.”

Welcome to Issue 37 of the Fulcrum Insider, your monthly resource for the most innovative solutions in GIS data collection. This June, learn how enhanced grid stability, optimized field operations, and cutting-edge multimedia documentation can revolutionize your approach to electrical utility management.

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.

Are you struggling with complex workflows and rapid operational demands? Southern California Edison (SCE) faced similar challenges and found a powerful solution with Fulcrum field data management. This comprehensive case study reveals how SCE leveraged Fulcrum to streamline operations, enhance regulatory compliance, and improve emergency response efficiency.

The Challenges

Internal restructuring and rapid growth of staff and contractors were difficult to quickly scale with existing data collection methods

Introduction of new wildfire programs and complex data sets from LiDAR brought new requirements

Emergency management during storm-induced outages required quick adaptation and data access

Key Outcomes

Fulcrum facilitated the quick setup and management of an expanded workforce, streamlining operations despite the scale increase

Fulcrum effectively incorporates large LiDAR data sets and supports new regulatory compliance programs with quick data processing and integration

Fulcrum allows for real-time data partitioning and rapid team mobilization, enhancing SCE’s response to emergencies

About Southern California Edison

Holly Palmer, Senior Specialist Data Analytics, admires SCE for its commitment to constant innovation. “What I love most about Edison is its goal of continual improvement,” says Palmer. “I’ve been on the contractor side and now with SCE itself, and I’ve seen so many changes. SCE is always seeking to enhance and improve its systems.”

Tired of data overload and inefficient processes? It’s time to take control. We’ve designed an exclusive infographic to help you visualize a day in the life of field data and streamline your field data workflow.

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.

Ready to revolutionize your enterprise operations? Choosing the right enterprise GIS solution is essential for businesses aiming to boost efficiency and drive growth. This guide is your ticket to making informed, impactful decisions that can elevate your organization’s capabilities.

Unlock new levels of efficiency and accuracy in your workflows with Fulcrum’s seamless integration capabilities. This guide explores how Fulcrum connects effortlessly with the tools you rely on, from mapping software to data management platforms. Learn practical ways to synchronize your systems, eliminate redundancies, and achieve a streamlined operation that keeps your team focused on what matters.

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!

For water utilities, the process of gathering accurate and comprehensive field data is critical in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of water systems.

With all the talk about technology revolutionizing field operations, it’s time to focus on practical implementation steps. This webinar will unveil how AI and FieldTech, including drones and sensors, transform fieldwork.

As the world continues to grapple with the pressing challenges of climate change and energy sustainability, the importance of renewable energy has never been more pronounced. Solar panels and wind turbines are at the forefront of this movement, providing clean, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. However, the successful deployment of these technologies depends heavily on precise planning and strategic placement. This is where Esri GIS and field data collection platforms such as Fulcrum come into play, offering unparalleled tools for identifying optimal locations and ensuring the success of renewable energy projects.

In Fulcrum Insider Issue 36, we focus on enhancing field operations with practical tools and strategies tailored for the electrical utilities sector. Check out these resources to help streamline your workflow and improve operational efficiency.

In our day-to-day lives, whether we’re brewing morning coffee or binge-watching our favorite series, we’re dependent on seamless utility field operations.

The old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” takes on new meaning for field technicians documenting maintenance and restoration needs of electrical equipment. Multimedia has revolutionized the way we document electrical equipment in the field. Now, using high-resolution photos, videos, and audio, we’re capturing details like never before. These tools bring the intricate details of maintenance and restoration to life, from spotting a tiny crack on a transformer to hearing the subtle sounds indicating a potential issue. 

Electric utilities face a unique set of challenges, from dealing with geographically dispersed teams and lone workers to navigating rigorous regulatory demands and prioritizing public safety. It’s no wonder that these challenges make electric utilities and partners a prime candidate for the implementation of field data collection software.

Unlock the full potential of field data with Issue 35 – April, where we highlight the significant impact of data collection in revolutionizing industry standards and operational efficiency. Fulcrum Insider is your go-to source for the latest trends, insights, and advancements in field data technology.

Electrical utility field inspection teams are faced with many challenges such as vegetation management, utility pole inspections, and emergency response. Discover how field data collection software can provide the necessary tools to enhance these operations. Such software offers streamlined workflows and improved response capabilities, ensuring that your team keeps the lights on efficiently and effectively.