Do utility workers have a use for rugged tablets or rugged laptops — we certainly feel they do. Utility workers do most of their work outdoors, which means mobile computing devices utility workers use must also work outdoors to no prevail.
Because utility field workers complete time-critical projects outside on foot, or in their utility vehicles, sometimes in extreme weather, utility workers need rugged mobile computing devices to get projects finished accurately and on time.
The Need for Rugged Mobile Computing for Utility Field Service Workers & Technicians
Think about the places utility workers must access in order to complete their work, 90-feet up a utility pole, way out on a remote pipeline, or sewer lines several feet underground.
Your mobile tablet, laptop, handheld, or other rugged device needs to withstand the dust, dirt, and environmental hazards that can contaminate your device, no matter how careful you protect it. Simply slapping on a rugged case for protection, just won’t cut it. And don’t forget the bumps and knocks that will inevitably come.
Utility workers need to prevent errors in data, delays in work order completion, and mistakes with customer satisfaction issues. Utility workers need rugged mobile computing solutions that speed up planned and unplanned utility fieldwork to maximize efficiency and productivity during the everyday job. You need rugged mobile computing to make sure the right technician gets sent to the right location, in the shortest time possible, with the proper resources to complete the job, the first time.
So what does this mean? Your rugged mobile computing device needs to provide data accuracy and security, better utility field service efficiency, and easy integration of expanding workflows.
Rugged Technology for Gas Utility Field Service
The ideal rugged mobile device for gas utility field workers should accomplish tasks associated with asset life-cycle management, customer service, infrastructure inspections, inventory management, maintenance and repair scheduling, safety audits and compliance reporting, and work orders.
Gas utility technicians cover broad geographic areas, much more so than electric or water utility technicians. Gas utility technicians manage urban, remote, and rural equipment that enable end-to-end generation and transmission of gas.
In addition, gas utility technicians spend a lot of time on their feet in extreme environments. They require rugged mobile computing that’s light enough to go where they go and rugged enough to withstand extreme environments.
Rugged Technology for Water Utility Field Service
The ideal rugged mobile device for water utility field workers should accomplish tasks associated with asset life-cycle management, customer service, GIS mapping, infrastructure inspections, inventory management, maintenance and repair scheduling, safety audits and compliance reporting, and work orders.
Despite having the oldest infrastructure of all utilities, water utilities have led the way in technology and in automation. Whether you need to stop water leaks, data losses, or asset downtime, you’ll need rugged mobile technology to manage workflow–and perhaps, water flow.
When response time is critical, not uncommon with water utility projects, you’ll need features like built-in GPS, to make finding what you need to find much easier. Your technology needs to manage and mobilize water utility work projects, getting people and equipment from the office or the vehicle to where they need to be.
Rugged Technology for Electric Utility Field Service
The ideal rugged mobile device for electric utility field workers should accomplish similar tasks as rugged technology for other utilities, in addition to electric utility specific tasks such as utility meter analysis, installation, and documentation.
With the right technology, electric utility field service technicians and plant managers identify and resolve outages, complete inspections, and repair damaged and aging infrastructure without even returning to the office.
You’ll be able to deliver information immediately to electric utility dispatch, infrastructure assessment teams, and repair crews. This leads to more efficient and coordinated field efforts and faster incident response times, ultimately leading to lower costs associated with work order recalls and power outage recovery.
In short, with the right rugged mobile technology, everyone wins.
Solving Your Rugged Mobile Technology Needs
The mobile solutions experts at Group Mobile can help you devise a solution to fit your exact utility requirements.
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