Field Operations

Challenges

Difficulty in integrating and managing diverse field survey data sources

Need for efficient visualization and pre-population for survey data

Cumbersome and time-consuming documentation with DPR forms

Manual and error-prone photo documentation process

Inconsistent data entry by team members with varying levels of experience

Non-technical historians adapting to tech platforms

Data loss and backup issues with previous systems

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.

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.

Connectivity shouldn’t curb your fieldwork capabilities. Engineered with advanced offline field data solutions, Fulcrum ensures uninterrupted productivity, even in the most remote locations. Here’s how our platform supports seamless field data collection and operations, no matter where your projects take you.

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.

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.”

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.

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!

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.

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.

Conducting defensible space inspections to protect life and property from wildfires.

The electrical cooperative industry faces many challenges, including operational inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities. Fulcrum’s advanced field data collection and process management platform offers a promising solution to these issues. By integrating innovative technology with on-the-ground tasks, Fulcrum transforms the way electrical utilities manage their field operations, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved service reliability.

Welcome to a quick look at Fulcrum’s powerful field data collection and process management platform. With our Fast Fulcrum Walkthrough video, you’ll discover how seamlessly Fulcrum integrates into your workflow, empowering field teams to efficiently gather and manage critical data.

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.

Embark on a journey to discover how geospatial data can redefine your field operations strategies. The following piece explores the geospatial capabilities of the Fulcrum platform, demonstrating its potential to transform organizational efficiency and decision-making with advanced location intelligence.

Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) is the strategic management of tree and vegetation growth around electrical power lines and infrastructure to prevent power outages and ensure the consistent delivery of electricity, playing a vital role in safeguarding the reliability and safety of our power supply.

Broadband deployment is essential for modern societies, driving economic growth, enhancing communication, and enabling access to a wealth of information and services. Central to the expansion of broadband infrastructure are pole attachments – a seemingly mundane yet crucial aspect of network deployment that involves attaching cables and equipment to utility poles. Recognizing the importance of these attachments, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a series of reforms aimed at streamlining the process and addressing longstanding issues that have impeded broadband deployment.

As a GIS professional, you know the power of Esri ArcGIS in project planning, analysis, and management. But what if we told you that Esri integration with Fulcrum could elevate your field teams’ capabilities and take your GIS to the next level? With seamless integration between Esri’s best-in-class GIS software and Fulcrum’s industry-best data collection platform, you get more. More robust field-collected datasets, more support for your field teams, and more efficiency for your GIS operations.

Explore the future of field operations with our latest infographic featuring the Fulcrum platform, a groundbreaking solution revolutionizing field data collection and process management.

FieldTech refers to the integrated hardware and software systems that support field operations in demanding, remote, or regulated environments. From drones and sensors to AI-powered platforms and offline data sync, FieldTech helps field teams capture accurate data, reduce inefficiencies, and bridge the gap between the field and the office. As industries push for greater efficiency, safety, and compliance, FieldTech continues to evolve as a critical part of modern operations.

As a GIS Manager, you’re at the forefront of merging the traditional with the modern, ensuring that your organization leverages the best of spatial insights to optimize its operations. The implementation of an Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) is a pivotal step in transforming your business’s field data capabilities. But how can you seamlessly incorporate this technology to maximize its impact?

Discover the transformative power and benefits of field data collection software! In the following infographic, we’ll unveil the remarkable advantages of integrating modern field inspection technology into your business operations.

Standards form the backbone of operational excellence, defining the quality, safety, and efficiency expectations for organizations. In contrast, inspections play a critical role in ensuring successful business operations by upholding standards and evaluating compliance. Bridging the gap between broad standards and practical digital inspections is critical for effective standards implementation.

Discover the power of GPS tracking for water environments using Fulcrum, demonstrated in a two-minute video by Jake, Fulcrum’s own VP of Product Marketing. This instructional video provides practical insights for field teams, showcasing the ease of capturing and mapping a water sump area using Fulcrum’s digital data collection app.

Welcome to the future of accurate GPS tracking for power lines using Fulcrum FieldTech!  Join Jake from Fulcrum as he demonstrates the simplicity and power of our application in tracking downed power lines – a task critical for maintaining safety and restoring services.

Water assets, crucial elements like rivers, lakes, and treatment plants, are the cornerstone of environmental health and human well-being. This blog navigates the world of water assets, highlighting their importance and the challenges in managing them – and the role of digital data collection platforms like Fulcrum in streamlining these efforts. These technological advancements not only enhance efficiency but also ensure sustainability, marking a significant step forward in how we interact with and protect our water resources. Join us in exploring the integration of technology and environmental stewardship.

Embracing cutting-edge solutions in today’s fast-evolving operational landscape is essential, and one such innovation is the convergence of Field Technology (FieldTech) — technology built for and managed by field teams — with Geographic Information System (GIS) Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings. These integrated platforms are revolutionizing industry workflows by providing unprecedented agility and capacity to adjust to market and environmental alterations quickly and effectively.

Utility companies may hesitate to embrace a SaaS (Software as a Service) field data collection software and management solution due to the substantial investments in their current methods, from pen-and-paper to complex in-house digital platforms. These entrenched systems represent significant sunk costs in time, money, and training – investments that may be painful to put aside in favor of a SaaS solution, despite the benefits.

Fulcrum stands out as a dynamic data collection platform, expertly tailored for the varied needs of both field and office teams across industries. In the field, it simplifies data gathering and improves productivity. In the office, it boosts the use of data to make more informed decisions. This dual capability makes Fulcrum an essential tool for organizations aiming to enhance their operational performance and strategic depth.

As the telecom world races towards better connectivity, underground fiber optic cables have become the go-to solution. However, this advancement comes with an unintended consequence – the potential risk of sinkholes. As these high-speed conduits burrow deeper into the earth, they intersect with a delicate subterranean balance, occasionally disrupting natural water flows and contributing to soil erosion. This can lead to the formation of sinkholes, presenting a new set of challenges for urban planners and telecommunication companies.

Data increases in value and impact as it gets shared. So how can you maximize the value of the field data you collect in Fulcrum? And how can you maximize Fulcrum’s use of data from other systems? There are many integration techniques in Fulcrum, and we’re here to demo some of them for you.

Discover the transformative power of the Fulcrum data collection platform. Download the data sheet below to explore how Fulcrum redefines the efficiency and accuracy of field operations. This is more than just a tool; simple field data collection with Fulcrum is a strategic asset that propels your field activities into a new era of productivity.