UPDATE: We completed several successful pilot projects this year to evaluate the feasibility of using GIS-enabled software to capture field data on smart phones and tablets. The applications that were tested this year include mapping RFID marker ball installations, recording HCA survey data, and capturing exposed pipe survey reports.
Disconnected editing to allow data capture in areas without cellular coverage is coming in 2013!
Check out the GPS Consortium page to find out about how we have integrated decimeter quality GPS with smart phones and tablets.
Check out the Asset Lifecycle Tracking page to find out about how we are integrating barcode scanning.
It seems that everybody has a smart phone. And it seems that the functionality of these devices is increasing everyday from GPS to social media to 3D visualization. Yet the utility industry has been slow to exploit smart phone and related technology in the effort to move from paper and pencil to electronic data capture. To assist companies in evaluating the potential, GTI has launched a program called the Intelligent Utility System (IUS) to develop GIS-enabled software that operates on smart phones and tablet computers.
Many utility companies have or are in the process of transitioning to electronic data capture through the use of ruggedized laptops mounted in trucks. However there are applications for a small, portable device that can be used to collect data at the actual location of an asset, not in the truck. Examples include CP test station readings, RFID tags, pipeline marker surveys, and new installations.
GTI’s research program is investigating the practicality of using these low cost, consumer grade devices to collect data in the utility field environment. Additionally, devices such as smart phones and tablets have a host of functionality including GPS, cameras, navigation, and RFID tag readers that could compliment field data collection. Initial deployment have been on iOS and Android but we are excited about Windows 8.
One of the performance requirements was real-time data transfer to and from the office to create a streamlined work flow. We have had great experiences with cloud computing to manage data transfer.
We are currently working on developing a disconnected editing tool that will allow users to collect data outside of cellular range. As we have seen in pilot projects, this is an essential feature for data collection in some geographic areas.
This project is funded by Operations Technology Development (OTD).
For additional information on the Intelligent Utility System, please contact Alicia Farag at alicia.farag@gastechnology.org.
The GTI GPS Research blog is a portal for sharing information on GPS related research and applications for the natural gas industry. Here you will find information on current GTI projects that are leveraging GPS technology to improve efficencies, reduce costs, and decrease risk. This portal also serves as a way to share information, ask questions, or discuss new ideas related to GPS. Click on the links below to learn more about specific research projects.
