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Few energy companies realize the benefits of the revolution in mobile and wireless technologies. Leif Eriksen tells Power&Energy about best practices in the use of mobile technology in field operations.

Mobile technology is transforming the field service worker. Powerful and easy-to-operate mobile computers, high bandwidth wireless data networks, new and cost-effective electronic tagging technologies and the rapid proliferation of mobile applications have all converged to open the door to better field operations. Field-based personnel can now have all the information they need to productively and reliably execute their tasks anytime, anywhere. So why do few energy companies realize the benefits of the revolution in mobile and wireless technologies?

All too often, mobile technology is chosen based on current systems and processes as opposed to the needs of field-based knowledge workers. It is a victory of expediency over long-term business transformation. While your IT department can claim to have made the best decision based on legacy investments and pre-determined technology criteria, you won’t create the knowledge workers you need.

Best practices
To determine best practices for use of mobile technology, look no further than your field organization itself. It starts with a survey of existing work processes, ideally through a series of ‘ride alongs’. Understanding how field operations actually work is the basis for investment in enabling technology. Questions to answer include:

• What data is collected in the field and how is it collected? Where are errors likely to be introduced?
• What information do field personnel need to effectively perform their job? If they don’t have the right information, what are the consequences?
• How do field personnel determine work priorities and how quickly can their work be re-prioritized to address changing circumstances?
• How do work processes change in abnormal circumstances, such as a storm, and how does that impact information needs?
• What are the physical demands of the field work and how does that affect the nature of the mobile technology deployed?

A thorough survey will help you paint a picture of the existing versus desired work processes, and point to the optimal technology options.

Know your technology options
Make sure the team entrusted with the task of surveying your field operations understands the mobile and wireless technology available today as well as what developments are forthcoming.

With mobile computers, processing power is growing exponentially while costs continue to come down. The result is lighter, rugged, more powerful mobile computers available in a wide range of sizes packed with options such as wireless WAN, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, GPS, barcode scanners and RFID readers. And screen quality/resolution continues to improve – all while maintaining full shift battery life.

Concurrently, there has been an explosion in mobile enterprise applications. The market has evolved from a handful of mobile application pioneers to hundreds of independent software vendors (ISVs) addressing different needs across an array of industries.

Wireless options have also benefited from substantial investments in the last five years. Wireless is often associated with public WANs or private LANs – both designed for broadband applications. But equally important for your field operations are hybrid systems that combine elements of LAN, mesh, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint technologies.

Data capture technologies such as barcodes, RFID and sensor networks are also part of the mix when considering technologies to support your field operations.

Start with a blank sheet
Too often in Utilities, the full value of technology investments to support field operations is not realized. The tendency is to approach the project with pre-conceived notions and a less than complete understanding of the options. It’s natural to want to start from investments already made and then build from there. The results are often incremental in nature and fail to achieve the expected return. In contrast, step changes in field operations can be achieved by starting with a blank sheet and an open mind.

Leif Eriksen is the Director of Energy & Utilities Solutions at Motorola. He leads a team that works with Motorola’s customers and partners to define solutions for enterprise mobility within the Energy and Utilities sectors. The team focuses on the all aspects of mobility including devices, wireless infrastructure, sensors and the applications that drive their use.