HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Jun 14, 2011) - ikeGPS, the global leader in mobile GIS systems, announces cost-saving solutions for utility companies and engineering contractors. These companies routinely conduct pole audits, where thousands of poles must be measured accurately and safely. Each survey can require hundreds of man days in labor. Under mounting pressure to reduce costs, these companies can now turn to ikeGPS mobile GIS systems for help. ikeGPS is the first all-in-one handheld mobile GIS data capture device combining GPS, laser range finder, 3D compass, geotagged photo images with photogrammetric capabilities and easy integration with back end GIS and other systems.
During pole audits crews run into an assortment of problems that can slow them down:
- Measurements are highly manual, taking 5 to 10 minutes per pole and at least two crew members
- Crews risk injury from traffic and other natural and man-made hazards
- Measurements recorded on paper often lead to mislabeling or transcription errors, requiring reacquisition
- It takes additional time to compile the data in the back office and transfer it into engineering drawings and GIS maps
The ikeGPS utility pole audit solution solves these problems by allowing crews to collect everything they need for the survey with one click, from any location up to 60 meters away from the target. From a safe location a single operator can collect all of the data without a measurement rod. ikeGPS accurately records the location of poles, verifies them with geotagged images and measures the heights and distances between wires and attachments. All of the data is stored digitally and can be easily transferred to the back office GIS and other databases.
This unique mobile GIS pole audit solution has many benefits for utility companies and engineering contractors. Data collection time can be reduced by as much as 80%, with greatly reduced post-processing and redo's. Combined with reduced crew sizes and enhanced safety, companies are realizing more than 50% savings in overall utility pole audit costs and faster end-to-end project completion.
Since 2003 ikeGPS has become a global leader in mobile GIS data collection. ikeGPS technology is used by utility companies, defense forces, city councils, police, federal authorities around the world, and any organization with assets that need to be mapped, tracked, or monitored. Products are supported by a global network of distributors and value-added resellers.
For more information on utility pole audit solutions, please contact the ikeGPS team in the Americas: (281) 681-0356; in Europe, Africa and the Middle East: +44 1962 711 473; or in Asia and Australasia: +64 4 382 8064; or visit us on the Web at www.ikegps.com.