Covid-19 - A significant catalyst to driving digital transformation for Field Operations Companies

There is a consensus that the Covid-19 pandemic provides a significant impetus to drive digital transformation for all sectors - especially Field Operations Companies. Like all rapid change, this will undoubtedly present challenges for some. However, for others, it will create massive opportunities. Accordingly, Field Operations Companies that make the right decisions and react quickly have the most to gain.

As Field Operations Companies adapt to their changing reality, Internet of Things (IoT) emerges as a tool for greater efficiency and automation. Embracing and investing in efficient automated technologies, such as IoT, significantly accelerates the transition towards total digitisation. In times of economic and operational uncertainty, Field Operations Companies need to reconsider how they operate, seeking opportunities to adopt and capitalize on digitalisation.

Internet of Things (IoT) essentially involves expanding the capabilities of the internet much further than traditional computers and smartphones. IoT integrates intelligent sensors/devices, covering an enormous range of processes and environments. These  IoT connected devices are used to gather and transmit information to the cloud. Sequentially, software processes use this data to perform an action, such as sending an alert to a technician or automatically adjusting a specific feature without the need for any user input.

IoT provides many companies with an expansive understanding and control of objects, devices, equipment, processes and environments. This ability extends beyond the reach of the traditional internet making it possible for companies to be considerably more connected to the world around them. Simultaneously, IoT allows these companies to do significantly more, driving key business metrics like productivity, efficiency, and asset utilisation. Once an IoT device is connected, the potential to not only send and/or receive information, but to implement responsive processes, quickly delivers results – driving real business value. A key driver for IoT implementation is the movement from reactive, break/fix models to proactive, preventative service models. Transitioning from reactive to proactive models improves key metrics such productivity, efficiency, and ultimately – profitability.

GeoPal provides a fully customisable IoT enabled Field Operations Management (FOM) System that connects field workers, remote assets and internet of things sensors, leveraging field data to immediately gain actionable insights – increasing productivity, profitability and health and safety compliance in your business.

The GeoPal Field Operations Management (FOM) Platform is focused on complex and dynamic utility field operations. GeoPal eliminates the pitfalls of traditional Field Service Solutions, which lack flexibility, whereby bespoke App Development is too costly, carrying additional time, cost and specification risks. GeoPal addresses issues like:

1. Inefficient paper processes
2. Poor Management Data
3. Low fieldworker Utilisation
4. Health & Safety Compliance
5. Proof of Delivery Issues
6. Long Invoicing Cycle

Field Operations Management is one of the industries that is being transformed by IoT. IoT technology deployments will result in digital transformation that delivers the following benefits:

• 10% increase Field worker real-time utilization rates
• 50% Reduction in Office administration costs by eliminating re-entry of field data.
• 19% Increase in asset availability
• 60% Reduction in Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
• 100% real-time Management / Data insights on GeoPal dashboards

Simple yet Powerful: An Example of a GeoPal IoT Case Study:

Sensors on remote equipment send real time status updates from the field over a dedicated IoT NB network or via a 3G, 4G or 5G mobile operator network. If the sensor indicates that the equipment is going out of tolerance, the GeoPal IoT Platform will interpret this update - intelligently deciding on the correct course of action based on predefined rules. A technician is then automatically assigned and dispatched via the GeoPal App, tending to the equipment before it goes out of service, and even before the customer becomes aware of an issue. All this is done automatically,  without the use of any paper. This allows Field Operations companies to move from a reactive, break/fix model to a proactive, preventative service model - driving key business metrics like productivity, efficiency, and asset utilisation.

There are many other examples of this simple use case, here are just a few:

• Alarms from IoT sensors on traffic junctions can be routed to the GeoPal platform. Urgent faults automatically trigger service jobs which are intelligently dispatched to the closest Field Service Engineer with the correct skill set.
• Biometric clock-in IoT sensors for proof of attendance and for managing the productivity levels of resources working on key infrastructure projects.
• IoT door sensors that can trigger a “look-up” to determine if access permission has been granted for that time.
• IoT water sensors to measure pH level, temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity which allows the detection of pollution in rivers.
• Sensors on any remote asset can send real time status updates from the field. When a sensor indicates that an asset is going out of tolerance, a technician is notified and can attend to it before it goes out of service and before the customer becomes aware of an issue.

Health and Safety compliance is a pertinent  priority and concern for utility and construction industries. Significantly, the implementation of IoT in utilities effectively addresses the issue of remote worker safety. IoT devices remotely monitor and report on equipment, environment and conditions, alerting health and safety officers to potentially hazardous working environments. Similarly, in emergency-scenarios, IoT devices have the capability to alert emergency services to ensure help arrives on time. With IoT, utility and construction companies not only ensure the safety & wellbeing of their workforce, but also protect their enterprise from negative corporate liability.

Implementing digitised, automated smart-processes through the application of IoT has positive connotations for efficiency, safety, revenue and asset utilisation. Transitioning to a proactive model of predictive and preventative maintenance eliminates the need for consistent inspections – saving valuable time and resources.

GeoPal is a fully IoT enabled Platform that has delivered use cases like above for over four years. The GeoPal IoT Platform coupled with more internet-connected IoT technology will increase the productivity and efficiency of your field teams and also the asset utilisation overall driving digital transformation.

Learn how GeoPal can help you navigate the ‘new normal’ through digitisation, request a free demo today.

Reference: https://www.allerin.com/blog/tapping-into-the-potential-of-iot-in-utilities