A site survey is an important step that needs to be conducted before any installation work takes place. It provides a comprehensive report as to the current status of the site, and what the requirements will be for a successful project implementation to take place. This contributes to the overall efficiency and productivity of the process to ensure the most appropriate use of time and resources. Site survey specialists are trained professionals who have the skills, experience, methodology, and equipment to do the job.
Traditional and Wireless Site Surveys
The process of surveying the site prior to deployments, installations or general work has been a standard process in order to effectively evaluate the site before any additional investment. This procedure helps the team to understand the parameters they will be working under, and also to gather as many details as possible for planning purposes. Items that help in this endeavor include geographically referenced photos to help the team visualize the site. Traditional site survey methods involve on-site visits by field service specialists, however, more methods are being tested to potentially bypass this approach altogether.
Site Surveys the Traditional Way
For a traditional site survey, a specialist physically visits the site in question to conduct a thorough evaluation of the location. They use various pieces of equipment to make topographical surveys, visualizations, calculations, all to put together in a survey report. This can include trained surveyors conducting access point placement determinations and testing. They identify, verify, and analyze the site’s current status and what will be required for a deployment or installation to be implemented successfully.
Survey reports summarize all requirements, explain potential RF interference sources, and recommend installation areas. Comprehensive services may also include signal coverage testing and performance testing. Site surveyors coordinate with project managers and the client to relay back the findings from the survey so that the team can put together a plan of action with an appropriate timeframe.
Modern Site Surveys Emerge
There are new developments that are cited in the site surveillance niche market. According to PR Newswire, two global leaders in manufacturing and technology have recently launched another technological breakthrough. The partnership between DJI and Datumate aims to deliver site surveys through a fully automated solution.
Numerous site surveyors and project managers are now opting for more modern approaches to site surveys by integrating their systems with modern and advanced technology to boost the quality, speed, and accuracy of their work. Modern site surveillance tools include drones, software, and app packages to expedite survey work and minimize costs. The use of emerging technology or existing technology used for different purposes, such as drones, apps, and software simplifies the surveying task and mapping procedures. Most importantly, they maintain accuracy while conducting the survey remotely. Aerial-imaging companies have designed a solution that could generate site visualizations, working models, analytics, and planning with cost effective digitized methods.
Site Survey Innovations for Business Network Connectivity
Increasing numbers of businesses are becoming the beneficiaries of modern wireless site surveys. In Lancaster, PA, site survey specialists conducted a comprehensive diagnosis of business wireless networks and connectivity using hardware and software tools. According to recent news, site surveillance also identifies dead zones, network capacity as well as optimal access points.
Traditional site surveys are still widely used for site evaluation, however, the development of hardware, software, and devices to cover the majority of the work remotely will drastically improve efficiency. Developments in wireless technology will allow clients, project managers and site surveyors to conduct surveys more quickly, across more sites, while still maintaining an accuracy of reporting. The innovation and adoption of this kind of technology will also allow reduction of costs associated with traditional approaches, to the benefit of client and customer alike.
How to Project Manage a Field Installation Project
Field installation projects require efficient managing and monitoring. These types of projects often have several moving parts that need to be simultaneously supervised and tracked. Small-scale and large-scale field installation projects can be extensive and demanding in order to get quality results at every location. Therefore, these projects require skilled field project managers as well as robust processes and systems from start to completion.
Companies benefit from partnering with field service specialists mainly because of their skills and training in project management. These expert service providers deploy tried-and-tested systems and processes that ensure substantially comprehensive reporting. Field technicians use methods which are designed to prevent any delays in implementation, to adhere to required deadlines.
Managing installation projects is a comprehensive service. Reputable service providers set up hardware according to set specifications. From start to finish, specialists ensure that field technicians are skilled and equipped to implement installations at a single site or across multiple locations. Additional aspects of field installation services include the appropriate integration of equipment and systems when they are installed, thorough testing, and accurate reporting.
Key Factors for a Successful Field Services Project:
Project Management Experts – Industry Specialists for Field Installations
An industry specialist in field services with project management expertise takes charge of the program from start to finish. Partnering with experts provides businesses with a complete solution, quality results because of the use of certified, trained, and experienced technicians. Complete solutions include scope management, scheduling, tracking of costs and budgeting, quality assurance, and human resources management.
Complete Project Scoping
A full scope and assessment of the project in question helps to define essential requirements, lay out a plan of attack, document the methodology and the process that will be followed, ready to be approved and implemented. Project scoping is necessary to keep track of progress and meet a client’s timeline. It also includes detailed scheduling, so that key checkpoints are met, and to adapt to any changes that may take place in the course of the project.
Asset Inventory Tracking
Field technicians and project managers may need numerous pieces of equipment for a successful installation including devices for installation setup, reporting, as well as transportation. Project managers need to keep track of inventory especially for large projects, which may involve a number of technicians who need support, a number of vehicles which need to be fully equipped, and any other pieces of hardware or software involved in the project. As well as hardware and servers, attendance needs to be tracked, installations needed to be checked and tested, site access needs to be monitored as well as overall project operations, the use of various systems and processes. Careful tracking of a project is a process that also involves proper monitoring of the budget. This is necessary so that there are no unexpected and unnecessary expenses. They coordinate with the client to accurately track the budget and see where the project funds are allocated.
Physical Installation On-site
Companies greatly benefit from hiring experienced project managers to run field installation projects. These experts know the right technical talent required for any given installation, and know how to communicate with technicians who are working on-site. They often have to communicate with numerous technicians to manage installations across several sites including the equipment the technicians need and the vehicles they are using. They also manage the reporting back of technicians in a timely manner with all the vital information.
Hardware Testing and Integration
Technicians install and test the efficiency of installation set up in the field. Project managers report back the successful installation and testing to the client so that they can monitor the progress of the project. These reports back also act as checkpoints to ensure that there has been proper integration into the client’s existing system. Field Services specialists make sure that the project is adequately and effectively planned, executed, and controlled. Comprehensive project management services also make sure that they do remote monitoring and management so that everything operates smoothly after the setup is complete.
Working with a partner for field installation projects keeps core functions focused on core business operations. Using specialists allow for installations to be completed according to set standards with a workforce trained specifically for field services, with implementations performed in an efficient and timely way. A good management of field installation projects from scalable expert project managers deploys proven and tested processes and systems. It also means successful outcomes with minimal to no project risks and setbacks.
