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John Evans: Your research paper focused on field mobility and identified five key capabilities essential to success. Can you explain the significance of these areas in more detail?
Ravi: Our research included examining the recent literature on data-driven decision-making in field service applications and utilities that have recently adopted field mobility solutions. As many of you know Data-driven decision-making has emerged as a critical approach to meet these demands, in other words, leveraging vast amounts of data to enhance operational performance and strategic planning. One of the things we observed was that mobile applications play a pivotal role in this transformation by facilitating the collection and analysis of real-time field data. Therefore, by integrating advanced data analytics, utilities can gain valuable insights, identify trends, and make informed decisions that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.
Bob: Yes, our research identified five key capabilities essential to the success of field mobility in the utility sector.
First, Real-time Communication: Real-time communication enabled by mobile applications ensures that field crews and headquarters remain in constant contact. This capability is crucial for coordinating responses to emergencies such as power outages or equipment failures and streamlining planned operational tasks. Instant updates on task status, schedule changes, and new work orders ensure that field crews have the latest information, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
Second are Streamlined Workflows. Mobile applications digitize traditionally paper-based processes, consolidating work orders, maps, customer details, and equipment manuals into one accessible platform. This digital work execution approach minimizes administrative tasks and manual data entry, reducing errors and delays. By centralizing information and automating routine tasks, mobile apps enable field crews to complete tasks more quickly and accurately, enhancing overall productivity and reducing frustration.
Third is the need for Improved Data Accuracy. Mobile applications enhance data accuracy by allowing field crews to directly enter information into digital forms and databases while in the field. This eliminates errors associated with handwritten notes and manual transcription. Validation checks and data validation rules ensure that only accurate and relevant information is recorded. Maintaining reliable records supports better decision-making and compliance with regulatory requirements and reduces operational issues arising from inaccurate data.
Ravi: our research also found the need for Enhanced Safety Measures. Safety is a paramount concern for utility field crews, and mobile applications incorporate features to enhance their safety. Real-time location tracking allows supervisors to monitor field personnel, ensuring their safety, especially in hazardous or remote locations. Access to environmental and weather data, safety protocols, and emergency contact information helps crews respond effectively to unexpected incidents. Prioritizing safety through mobile technology mitigates risks and protects employees' well-being.
Finally, the most advanced utilities are Optimizing their Asset Management practices. Mobile applications provide comprehensive asset information, including equipment specifications, maintenance schedules, and historical performance data. This information helps field crews make informed decisions about equipment repair, replacement, or maintenance, optimizing asset performance and longevity. Additionally, mobile apps facilitate asset tracking and inventory management, allowing utilities to monitor the status and location of critical assets in real time. Proactive asset management minimizes downtime, reduces costs, and maximizes the reliability of the infrastructure.
John Evans: In the research paper, you interviewed three North American electric utilities about the role of field mobility in the transformation process. What did they tell you about the importance of field mobility?
Bob: In our research paper, we interviewed several North American electric utilities pursuing field mobility solutions in their transformation into data-driven decision-making, particularly in field service management. These utilities requested that we not use their names in the report so that representatives could speak freely.
The first utility we interviewed is a large utility located in the Northwest. This utility emphasized the critical role of mobile solutions in managing their electrical distribution system operations. They pointed out that field mobility has revolutionized the speed and accuracy of construction documentation. Equipping field crews with IQGeo software on iPads enabled real-time updates to as-built drawings directly on-site, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. This improvement ensures data remains current and synchronized across the organization, thereby supporting dynamic management of changes and reducing delays that previously took three weeks to six months to resolve.
Ravi: The second is an interstate utility located in the Northeastern U.S. This utility highlighted field mobility as a cornerstone of its renewable energy goals. Field crews use mobile computers for automated or manual inspections and logging data into GIS systems. Transitioning from Toughbook computers to iPads, they adopted mobile applications for various tasks, including automated mapping and work order management. The utility's focus on integrating mobile solutions underscores its commitment to operational efficiency and safety. Real-time data access and updates through mobile applications have been pivotal in enhancing the utilities ability to handle the increased electrification and integration of distributed energy resources.
Another interesting respondent was a city utility located in North-Central California. This utility initiative to enhance field operations through mobile GIS technology reflects the broader trend of leveraging mobile solutions for improved efficiency and accuracy. The implementation plan includes enabling real-time updates, synchronization of GIS data, and GPS-enabled routing for field personnel. What we learnt was that the strategy focused on establishing a robust and scalable framework to support diverse operational needs while promoting data accuracy and efficiency. This initiative aims to significantly boost field operations' efficiency, enhance decision-making processes, and improve emergency response capabilities.
John Evans: In your conversations, have you seen any compelling field mobility use cases or best practices you can share?
Bob: The research paper highlighted several compelling field mobility use cases and best practices from interviews with utilities and case studies. Let me give you some examples.
First, the Northwest U.S. Utility improved the efficiency and accuracy of construction documentation by equipping field crews with IQGeo software on iPads. This allowed for real-time updates to as-built drawings directly on-site, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring data synchronization across the organization. This approach significantly reduced the time required for finalizing as-built drawings from three weeks to six months down to immediate updates before crews left the job site. One Best Practice this utility noted was utilizing a geospatial digital twin to provide field users with a complete view of the grid model, enabling immediate access to asset information and design updates. As you know, a geospatial digital twin is a virtual representation of real-world assets or systems incorporating geographic and spatial data to mirror their physical counterparts accurately.
Second, the Northeastern utility employed mobile computers for automated and manual inspections of its distribution systems. Transitioning from Toughbook computers to iPads, they utilized mobile applications for mapping, work order management, and inspections. This strategy supports their renewable energy goals by enabling efficient integration of DERs and EV charging infrastructure. One Best Practice highlighted is integrating mobile applications to perform real-time data collection, including photographs of material conditions, which are logged into GIS systems to maintain accurate records of underground infrastructure.
Ravi: The city utility in California we discussed earlier enhanced its field operations by implementing mobile GIS technology to provide real-time access to geospatial data and enable direct updates from the field. This initiative aimed to improve data collection, management, and decision-making processes across various city departments. They pointed to developing a robust and scalable framework for mobile GIS applications, prioritizing data synchronization, GPS-enabled routing, and user-friendly mobile interfaces to facilitate efficient field operations as a Best Practice.
Ravi: Finally, we should take note of the TEPCO Disaster Relief Response. TEPCO, Japan’s largest electric utility, used IQGeo’s mobile application to enhance disaster response capabilities during Typhoon Faxai (fah-SIGH) in late 2019. The platform integrated location and asset information, providing a robust visualization tool to identify damaged locations accurately and expedite collaboration with key decision-makers. TEPCO conducted a proof of concept to trial functionality across various use cases, highlighting the platform’s potential to improve disaster response and communication during severe weather events. This led to the platform’s expansion to other business processes within TEPCO.
John Evans: To sum up, what are your key takeaways from the interviews and research you conducted?
Ravi: John that is an excellent question to bring it all together. The first capability reported by these utilities was Improved Efficiency and Accuracy. Field mobility solutions have significantly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of construction documentation and other field operations. By enabling real-time updates and data synchronization, utilities have streamlined their workflows and reduced the time required for critical tasks. For instance, a Northwest U.S. utility reported that real-time updates to as-built drawings directly revolutionized on-site operational efficiency and data accuracy, reducing drawing turnaround to days instead of weeks or months.
The second observation is Enhanced Operational Coordination and Communication. Mobile applications facilitate real-time communication between field crews and headquarters, improving task coordination and response times. This capability is essential for both planned and emergency operations, ensuring that field crews have the most current information and can provide immediate status updates. This seamless communication enhances overall organizational efficiency and collaboration.
The third takeaway is improved Safety and Situational Awareness. Field mobility applications include features that enhance the safety of utility field crews. Real-time location tracking, access to environmental data, and safety protocols are integrated into mobile applications, enabling field personnel to respond effectively to emergencies and unexpected incidents. This focus on safety mitigates risks and protects employees.
Bob: We also noted three additional takeaways in our report.
The fourth is Optimized Asset Management. Mobile applications provide comprehensive access to asset information, including specifications, maintenance schedules, and historical performance data. This allows field crews to make informed decisions regarding equipment repair, replacement, and maintenance, optimizing asset performance and reducing downtime. Tracking assets in real-time also supports better inventory management and resource utilization.
Next, an essential capability for utilities is Support for Renewable Energy Integration. Field mobility solutions are critical in supporting the integration of DERs and EV charging infrastructure. Utilities highlighted the importance of mobile applications in managing the increased electrification and bidirectional power flow associated with DERs. These solutions help utilities achieve renewable energy targets by facilitating efficient interconnection processes and grid modernization.
Finally, our report includes various Case Studies and Best Practices, as noted. The report highlights several compelling use cases demonstrating the successful implementation of field mobility solutions. For example, TEPCO's use of IQGeo’s mobile application to enhance disaster response capabilities during Typhoon Faxai (fah-SIGH) led to faster electricity restoration and improved situational awareness. Another case study from a city in north-central California showcased the implementation of mobile GIS technology to improve the efficiency and accuracy of field operations across various departments.
Ravi: We look forward to your questions and comments. I hope you found the survey findings relevant. Do download the report that has a lot more details. I want to turn it back to John Evans our moderator to advance it to the next segment.