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The advancements in rugged mobile devices are enabling the utility industry to enhance field operations and maintenance capabilities.
FREMONT, CA: The utility industry is increasingly leveraging rugged devices to improve almost all operational aspects, including real-time asset monitoring, inventory management, repair, scheduling, orders, and compliance reporting. Modern rugged devices are streamlining the job of the utility line workers due to their connectivity, powerful processing, and communication capabilities. With advancements in technologies, the efficiency and operational capability of the rugged mobile devices are also growing. Here are some of the major advantages offered by rugged mobile devices to the utility industry.
Meter Data Reading
Meter reading technicians travel on foot and vehicle to collect meter dial data and accomplish maintenance tasks on water, gas, and electric meters. Rugged devices such as tablets and personal digital assistants (PDAs) can be incorporated in vehicles to aid technicians to communicate with dispatchers and can also be used to collect field data and provide work order status to the utility firms. Currently, rugged devices comprising of advanced screen technology are gaining traction as the utility field services tools.
Communication
From disconnection to service connection requests, utility personnel depends on strong communication tools to share critical data among infrastructure assessment teams and maintenance crews. Rugged handheld devices play a major role in the execution of the above tasks. The mobile devices keep field service workers connected over cellular broadband devices even when they are in remote areas.
Infrastructure Lifecycle Management
Asset lifecycle management is a crucial aspect of utility. It involves a number of processes, including scheduled maintenance, damage repair, infrastructure inspection, and asset inventory management. Asset management technicians use their rugged devices and PDAs to schedule repair and maintenance work. Advanced rugged mobile devices make it simple for the field personnel to collect and share maintenance data.
With further advancements in rugged technologies, utilities will gain in terms of capabilities as well as revenues in the long run.
See also: Top Utilities Technology Solution Companies
