For the modern utility, it’s not a matter of if you need mobile technology, it’s a matter of how you need mobile technology. With application capabilities continuing to grow and mobile proficiencies for the Utility Industry continuously evolving, one thing is clear – mobility is becoming a priority topic for most gas and electric utilities. The incorporation of digital field collection capabilities is leading to more accurate and up-to-date asset and inspection/survey data for utilities. Cloud technology and solutions are becoming key to securely supporting remote workforces and their workflows. Developing an enterprise mobility ecosystem supports enhanced safety, reliability, and customer service.
Sprinkling mobile solutions into the end user’s workflow is a great way to introduce technology and boost adoption. However, in the long term, utilities we are working with are looking into more consolidated solutions that include their full cycle of work. The future of mobility has utilities looking at streamlining their mobile technology considerations overall.
Building a technology strategy around all user workflows will drive efficiency across the organization. It will make it easier for IT to manage hardware, software, and licensing, it will promote cross-training opportunities, and it will make the organization more aware collectively. Read on for “20” must-ask questions that’ll start to streamline mobility initiatives at your company with the goal of developing an enterprise mobility ecosystem.
- What are your needs as a business to work remotely in the field with mobile devices?
- What is your current and future mobile IT strategy?
- Are you going to manage your own devices at an IT organization level?
- Are you going to have a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution in place?
- Are you going to implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy and approach?
- Is a mixed approach of ‘manage your own device’ and BYOD more suitable for your teams?
- Could your users access your maps through off-the-shelf apps and with authentication in place?
- Do you have a cloud or hybrid cloud solution in place?
- What other mobile applications are required for operations and what devices/technology are they supported on?
- Which departments will need to use the mobile device?
- Is there only one device that field users are carrying?
- Does the data need to be collected in the field, or can it be collected in a vehicle?
- How long will your users be in the field?
- Do you need to have integrations with other field applications?
- What types of user permissions will you need?
- What other field devices are used at your company? (Ex: laser range finder, external GPS, etc.)
- How will your field device users be using GPS?
- Do your field devices need vehicle speed tracking capabilities?
- What is the size of the data that must exist on the mobile device?
- Who will need to have web viewer accessibility?
We hope these “20” considerations will help you improve your mobility strategy. Use our downloadable Enterprise Mobility Questionnaire to collaborate and communicate with your team.
If you’re looking for guidance on building comprehensive mobility solutions – we’ve got your back! Contact us to help facilitate a discussion with your teams about your mobile/cloud technology and solution needs and further streamline your enterprise mobility ecosystem.
More on Mobile and Cloud Computing
Learn more about how advances in mobile and cloud computing are providing efficiences for utility companies in the UDC sponsored Energy Central PowerSession. The roundtable discussion features industry experts Robert Brook of Hecatic Labs, Pat Hohl of Esri, Ross Boozer of PSEG, and Ben Dwinal of UDC.
Watch it On Demand.
