Despite their decades-old prevalence, utility poles stand at the forefront of a technological evolution. As telecom companies build ever-newer networks, utility poles become essential equipment for both legacy electrical grids and cutting-edge telecoms. Doubling pole use benefits both utilities and telecoms, but these utility pole partnerships can present numerous challenges without proper oversight.
Explore Fulcrum’s capabilities with our concise five-minute GIS lines and polygons demo. This engaging tutorial goes beyond basic instruction, showcasing how to revolutionize your field data collection. It uses practical scenarios, like power pole inspections, to demonstrate the real-world application and effectiveness of Fulcrum’s GIS-first data collection platform.
I’m excited to share some big news with you today. We’ve brought lines and polygons to Fulcrum, a move that’s been high on our clients’ wish list for quite some time. This isn’t just a new feature; it’s a big step forward in making GIS-oriented data collection and field operations more straightforward and effective, a goal I had in mind when I joined Fulcrum four years ago. And believe me, we’re just warming up.
The Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) 2023, held in Chicago, IL, was more than just an event; it was a transformative experience. As attendees from all over the globe converged to discuss, learn, and collaborate, the conference provided a comprehensive understanding of the water sector’s current challenges, recent innovations, and future opportunities. One of the standout discussions was the potential integration of platforms like Fulcrum within the water industry, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping water engineering, infrastructure, and resilience.
Global electricity demand is projected to grow between 62% and 185 percent by 2050. As our world becomes more electrified, new challenges threaten the reliability and stability of our power infrastructure.
The future of electric vehicles (EVs) presents a looming challenge. The projected demand for public EV charging stations will place the US electrical grid under immense strain.
As of September 2023, a staggering 30 percent of the United States finds itself grappling with moderate to severe drought conditions, signaling a distressing trend in climate patterns. This alarming development is not merely a temporary phase. In fact, experts from the UN Environmental Program have shifted away from using the term “droughts” to describe the current water scarcity issues plaguing the American West. They now refer to this persistent state of aridity as “the new, very dry normal,” a phrase that encapsulates the gravity of the situation and hints at a long-term transformation in the region’s climate. This change in terminology underscores the urgency of digital transformation in water utilities to adapt and prepare for a future where water resources might be scarcer and more precious than ever before.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) continue to transform field data collection, offering depth and detail that were previously out of reach. Fulcrum leads the charge in this revolution by integrating GIS lines and polygons directly into its data collection tool, setting a new benchmark for industries requiring comprehensive and precise geospatial analysis. Join us as we explore the enhanced functionalities and real-world applications that are defining the next chapter in field data collection.
This webinar will focus on several issues related to the standardization and improvement of higher quality field data collection. In addition, we will explore how fixing these issues naturally helps solve some workforce issues you’re probably facing.
Geographic information systems (GIS) have emerged as vital tools for visualizing and analyzing spatial data in utility management. These systems utilize detailed mapping features such as lines (representing linear features like roads or utility cables) and polygons (depicting enclosed areas like parcels or land use zones). This technology grants utility companies a deep understanding of complex network systems, facilitating informed strategies to meet the needs of growing communities. It empowers them to pursue well-informed expansion strategies with efficiency and foresight. Below we’ll explore how GIS lines and polygons for utility planning can help with data-driven decisions and field management tasks.
Fieldwork is demanding, expensive, and full of unforeseen challenges. Achieving an optimized, efficient workflow involves iterative stages, trial and error, and focused testing. These efforts balance trade-offs to capture the necessary data. Join Coleman McCormick, in collaboration with Geo Week, as he shares best practices for designing field data processes.
Data accuracy plays a critical role in utility field operations. Incorporating GIS lines and polygons is reshaping utilities with visual data collection and mapping of critical assets.
Water utility asset management involves tracking and optimizing infrastructure, inventories, and tasks to ensure safe, consistent, and cost-effective service delivery. Doing this effectively requires the right tools to reliably collect accurate data on assets, life-cycle costs, and proactive maintenance.
Field inspections are central to an electrical utility’s network, safeguarding infrastructure by identifying wear and potential hazards to prevent service disruption. Successful electrical inspections require collecting and analyzing accurate and reliable data to identify inefficiencies and risks and prioritize timely remediation.
Are you looking for a data collection solution to revolutionize your water infrastructure projects and field operations? Fulcrum’s water infrastructure solution software is your key to success – and we’ve got the infographic to prove it! Following are some infographic highlights on how Fulcrum provides:
The 2023 T&D World Live Conference was a landmark event, bringing together the brightest minds in the transmission and distribution sector. Fulcrum was among many who exhibited and attended with a team of experts in their field. Although the show was well attended by major players in the industry, the environment was one of a close-knit community.
The Fulcrum field inspection management platform digitizes utilities inspections to maximize field team performance and agility.
Field operations managers and their teams play an indispensable part in electrical utilities. They work tirelessly to ensure timely maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency response. However, in an industry where precision and efficiency are paramount, managing and coordinating field teams presents a constant challenge.
GIS software serves as a powerful tool, capturing, storing, and interpreting geographic data. GIS technology bridges the gap between locations, boundaries, and intricate details within a geospatial framework. Yet, the question arises – what’s the next step? Enter Fulcrum, industry-leading field data collection software that gives context to the geospatial content, expanding the use case of GIS data.
In the realm of modern water management, there are two unsung heroes that deserve the spotlight: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications and data collection platforms. They might not have flashy costumes, but the impact of data collection platforms and GIS applications for water, wastewater, and stormwater systems is nothing short of transformative. Read on to learn how this dynamic duo is rewriting the playbook for efficient water management.
It’s not easy overseeing the #2 necessity of life, just after air. In addition to managing the intricate water network and maintaining essential services, water utilities must comply with a dizzying number of regulations from federal agency regulations all the way down to small town local ordinances. Oh, and somehow at the end of the day, they must also make enough money to stay (ahem) afloat in a world where expenses from materials to workforce continue to climb. The Fulcrum data collection platform is utilities’ go-to for water infrastructure solutions, helping to navigate these challenges. Let’s explore how Fulcrum empowers water utilities to streamline operations, make informed decisions, and ensure optimal service delivery.
Access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation has long been considered a basic human right. But over two billion people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, a staggering figure on the rise. The need for robust, efficient, and sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure is clear, especially in an era of resource scarcity and extreme climate events. Water utilities infrastructure planning ensures public health and protects our environment.
Published August 2023
Say goodbye to summer and say hello to the Fulcrum Insider August newsletter! Discover thought-provoking content, updates, and more. From the advantages of SaaS data collection to in-depth IT insights and our Summer G2 awards update (hint: it’s impressive 😉), we’ve got your summer wrap-up covered. Don’t miss out on these enlightening highlights – download below!
The 2023 Outlook for Water Utilities by the American Water Works Associate reports that water utility leaders generally view the industry favorably, giving it a 5 out of a possible 7 “optimism rating.” However, this positive outlook doesn’t imply that everything is smooth sailing. From resource allocation to environmental impact to sustainability to retaining appropriate technical and field staff, water utilities still face stiff headwinds (undertows?). In this blog we’ll look at environmental and operational challenges, and how water utility data management software can make a difference in providing long-term, sustainable solutions.
If electric utilities and their contractors need reliable, efficient, and affordable SaaS data collection tools, why do they so often rely on in-house software solutions to manage their field operations?
Published July 2023
Hello Fulcrum Family! As summer heats up, we’re thrilled to bring you our July newsletter packed with the coolest thought leadership and exciting success stories from two of our incredible clients. Get ready to be inspired in this sizzling July edition – and see you next month!
Wooden utility poles are essential infrastructure but costly to replace. Using inspection software helps utilities reduce replacement frequency by identifying issues early and maintaining each pole’s health more efficiently. Accurate, consistent inspections lower operational costs and enhance safety while extending pole lifespan.
Since COVID, employers in just about every industry have been scrambling for workers. This is happening particularly in the trade fields as older workers retire in greater numbers. And while electrical utilities and contractors have not had quite as many issues attracting new workers as, say, the construction industry, they too are struggling to retain workers.
More than a mere inconvenience to customers, power outages represent a costly ordeal with far-reaching implications for electrical utilities, and, by extension, their service contractors. Both the direct costs (e.g., resources dedicated to troubleshooting and restoration) and the indirect costs (e.g., revenue loss from disrupted service and potential compensation to affected consumers) add up quickly – especially when outages are happening more frequently and for longer periods.
The smart water meter market is slated to grow globally at about 27 percent per year[i] – not surprising considering the many advantages of smart water meters such as reducing water waste, improving water quality, and increasing system efficiency[ii]. There’s only one problem: the meters don’t upgrade themselves.
To guarantee safety, improve efficiency, and meet regulatory requirements, electrical utilities must collect reliable, consistent, and accurate data from a vast range of inspections and field operations, including pole inspections, vegetation management tasks, and more.
Published June 2023
After 25 issues, we are proud to announce the rebranding of our newsletter as The Fulcrum Insider, giving readers the same great thought leadership content with a refreshed look. Check us out each month to get the inside scoop on all things Fulcrum!
Embark on an exploratory journey with our on-demand webinar, highlighting Fulcrum’s integration with Esri. This year marked a significant milestone for us at Fulcrum, as we successfully integrated with Esri’s renowned SDK. Now, we invite you to explore the impactful results of this integration, showcasing a new era in location-oriented solutions.
The Challenges
Clients have varying data collection processes, data formats, and platform demands
Emergency response teams need to get to work quickly, without waiting for client GIS data to load or worse, relying on paper maps
Clients require regular updates on work progress from the field
Quality control on the work of field teams is difficult to do at a distance
Working with electricity and in remote locations, it’s important for crews to be up-to-date on safety protocols
Key Outcomes
Through integration of Fulcrum data with Microsoft SQL Server, GeoForce can give clients their data in any form needed
With a single address or coordinates, GeoForce crews can get started tracking down the location of problems, getting ahead of other crews to return field data much more quickly
Giving clients access to GeoForce’s inspection processes through the Fulcrum app lets them see what’s going on in real-time
By monitoring work done throughout the day through the app, managers are able to detect – and correct – errors before they become habit
After safety training, workers can access training documents as reference materials in Fulcrum, and acknowledge receipt of their training to ensure compliance with safety regulations
Background
GeoForce Utility Technologies (GeoForce) was founded in 1990 as a utilities contractor, providing GIS and building field data collection software for its clients. About 15 years ago, GeoForce pivoted its focus to providing the field work itself.
Whether electrical utility contractor GeoForce is tackling power outages with lightning speed, performing digital utility pole inspections with precision and efficiency, or creating bespoke solutions for its clients, GeoForce’s secret weapon is Fulcrum’s intuitive interface and advanced GIS integration.
Published May 2023
Did you know that May is National Barbecue, Biking, and Hamburger Month? We decided to jump on the bandwagon and designate May as “Month of Mapping” to celebrate the continued expansion of Fulcrum’s integration with Esri. Read on to learn more, check out some new thought leadership materials, and learn about two upcoming events. Happy May Month of Mapping!
It is more important than ever for electrical utilities to ensure the safety and security of their facilities from threats and attacks from trespassers, tampering, and saboteurs. Join us as we discuss how field inspection management software helps utilities keep their facilities safe and secure from physical threats.
Published April 2023
This month it’s all about working together! Read below to learn about our new partnership with American Society for Safety Professionals (ASSP), new features stemming from our Esri integration, plus thought leadership blogs, infographics, and webinars.
Published March 2023
Read on to learn what “spring cleaning” we’ve been up to, including an updated look for our website, new infographics, and more!
Designing mobile data collection apps with intention helps teams capture cleaner, more valuable information in less time. When apps are focused and easy to navigate, data collectors work faster, and the results become easier to trust and analyze. Fulcrum’s platform combines a drag-and-drop interface and powerful form builder with geolocation capabilities, including GPS coordinates, custom maps, and geotagged photos. It works in a web browser or in offline data collection mode, so teams capture real-time data even without connectivity. These flexible tools support clarity, scalability, and stronger outcomes across every project.
A circuit protection checklist provides a comprehensive list to ensure that your electric power system is meeting all the safety requirements. It also ensures the system is providing protection to your facility against any kind of electrical hazards.
Utility poles are everywhere, so much a part of the landscape that we don’t even notice them. That is, unless something goes wrong. A power or cable outage due to a defective utility pole is bad, sure. But did you know that about 10% of California’s wildfires are caused by utility pole failures, including Camp Fire, the worst wildfire in California state history? Utility companies face high stakes, necessitating a strict inspection schedule to maintain their utility poles in optimal condition.
Are you considering the transition to digital field inspections but apprehensive about the challenges that lie ahead? Don’t let uncertainties hold you back from embracing the future. Our comprehensive infographic dives into the world of digitizing field inspections, addressing common obstacles and offering actionable strategies to ensure a seamless transition for your team.
Published February 2023
Check out our updates about Esri, our client TREKK, and more. Thanks for reading!
Watch a demonstration of Fulcrum’s integration with Esri’s ArcGIS Online!
The Challenges
Legacy paper-based processes that included time-consuming – and error-creating – transcription tasks
Workflow coordination and connectivity challenges are encountered when coordinating multiple crews, especially in areas with limited connectivity
Inability to easily incorporate national standards and client requirements into inspection processes
Preserving institutional knowledge
Key Outcomes
Fulcrum provides a simple, mobile interface that replaces paper forms, streamlining data collection and reducing errors
Fulcrum’s geospatial integration mapping and offline data collection capabilities allows for smoother workflow coordination, ensuring that inspection crews can work efficiently without being hindered by connectivity issues or location discrepancies
Fulcrum’s customization features enable the rapid creation and deployment of inspection applications, utilizing standardized forms as a starting point to provide guidance and minimize setup time
Fulcrum serves as a repository for critical data, facilitating knowledge transfer and ensuring operational continuity
Background
Brown and Caldwell is 100% employee owned, with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. Senior Principal Engineer Sean Kilpatrick has been with Brown and Caldwell for over 25 years and was one of the early champions of adopting a SaaS field data collection and process management solution.
Download this substation inspection checklist to ensure structural and functional integrity of electrical substations.
Regular substation inspections help electric utilities maintain and repair their facilities to keep costs down and power flowing to their customers.
Use data produced by digitization to improve safety for utility companies’ workers and customers.
Discover how electric utilities can enable their workers to be more productive, boost their resilience and reliability, and make better short- and long-term decisions.
Published December 2022.
Read below for some of our hot takes to keep you warm as the weather grows colder (or, in the case of our mates Down Under, getting hotter!). Happy holidays and a prosperous 2023 to all our Fulcrum friends!
