Read Fulcrum blog posts for the utilities industry, covering field data collection, inspections, and operational workflows.
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!
You may know that Fulcrum is the only field inspection platform that automatically delivers location information with every inspection, every data point, every task, and every issue. But how does Fulcrum’s geolocation capability play out over different titles and job functions? We’ve explored just that in our new infographic, Location Intelligence for Smarter Field Inspections.
When the leading provider of mobile inspection services for utilities makes the switch from the incumbent – its proprietary, in-house software for pole assessments and field inspections – to an outside vendor, it’s a big deal. Osmose Utilities Services Company has done just that, swapping out its homegrown mobile pole inspections and evaluations application to Fulcrum’s SaaS field inspection platform.
Making the switch from pen and paper
Maybe you’ve been contemplating making the switch from pen and paper for your utility pole inspections. Or thought about moving from collecting data on optical loss on fiber optic cable using a spreadsheet typed on a laptop on the hood of your car in the middle of nowhere. However, you don’t get any further because this isn’t the right time to upgrade to data collection software for utility field operations.
Published October 2022.
It’s officially Spooky Season! If your safety, quality, field ops, or data collection processes give you nightmares, we’ve got the treats to help in the way of some informational resources. Happy Halloween, all!
Published September 2022
It’s September, and for millions of kids, school is back in session. In the spirit of the new school year, we have some fresh new thought leadership and learning resources to share. Happy Autumn!
Closing the loop for safety, quality, and maintenance inspections. Published August 2022.
How digital safety field inspections allow for constant learning, rethinking, and upgrading of the process in each iteration
Your field teams already collect data when they’re doing inspections. Why not use that same data to give managers operational insights?
Sure, digital field inspections keep your operations running smoothly, but that’s just the beginning of their utility.
Getting started with Fulcrum Academy online learning platform. Published May 25, 2022.
Fulcrum introduces Intelligent Team Automation. Published April 20, 2022.
You’ve got to keep track of your people, your equipment, and their statuses. The question is, how?
Learn how implementing a digital field inspection management platform can help to prevent field worker inspection fraud.
This research report is jam-packed with data that will help you understand inspection-related challenges across multiple industries.
Your field teams are your eyes and ears on the ground. Their success–and yours–depends on effective field inspection programs for utilities.
Introducing new capabilities to make field inspections a team sport. Published March 23, 2022.
Drinking water comes to you from the 1+ million miles of water pipes that make up America’s water infrastructure system, many of which were put in place in the early-to-mid 1900s. But with a lifespan of 75 to 100 years, this system is starting to show its age.
In late 2021, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) encountered a severe problem. A former contract worker was accused of falsifying up to 3,000 electric system inspections over two years. The deception was revealed when a power pole, allegedly inspected and declared free of rot, collapsed into a residential backyard. It sent a live electrical wire into a swimming pool, fortunately without causing any injuries.
Combating burnout in the construction industry. Published December 8, 2021.
Using technology to make safety inspections less painful (and more powerful). Published January 18, 2022.
Move beyond the perception of safety inspections as OSHA busywork: how inspections keep your workers safe and protect your bottom line.
How can you arm a rookie (novices, temps, and seasonal employees) with the experience of a 20-year veteran?
Learn about new data-driven tools that are available to effectively and efficiently improve vegetation management.
