The construction, agricultural, transportation and mining industries have welcomed the idea of using a drone for multiple business applications.
Stockpile Reports has been to several conferences and events during the recent months, and have noticed how many new drone exhibitors are appearing. In fact, it is very difficult for anyone NOT to notice how the interest in using drones is rapidly expanding.
We enjoy seeing technology change, and grow. During these conferences, we often ask attendees how their companies currently measure stockpile inventory, and if there is a drone strategy in place.
Some businesses already have a drone, or are in the process of purchasing one.
A few have already tried to utilize a drone, but decided that it was not a good return on their investment, in terms of both the cash spent, and the time needed to obtain accurate stockpile reporting. So they stopped using a drone.
Distractions
Some companies and managers have told us that they don’t wish to make an investment in a drone just yet. A few reasons include:
- Avoiding the need for instructional training
- Don’t wish to make an investment in accompanying software
- Their site location is not conducive to drones; such as being near an airport or in a windy area
- Their stockpiles are messy: vegetation covers the piles, the pile materials touch, there are stackers and obstructions
- They have multiple sites, spread out so far away from the other so travel becomes a factor
- Not a clear, compelling ‘need’ to either purchase or lease a drone yet
- Don’t want to buy more than one drone in case one becomes damaged or flies away
- Not certain they will get a good ROI on a drone purchase in terms of labor savings vs. other survey methods over a period of time
- Wary about FAA regulations
Generally, Stockpile Reports has found that the construction, transportation and mining industries prefer to avoid new investments that require massive training. Companies are interested in results that are accurate, safe, simple, legal, and of course, cost-effective.
Data
To drone or not to drone? We aren’t able to answer that question. Every company has different needs and concerns. Drones can be a very good way to gather data for stockpile volumetric reporting!
We can, however, authoritatively state that our clients really want answers. They want accurate perpetual inventory, and want to avoid write-offs.
Stockpile Reports has a patented platform that processes data gathered from a drone, from an airplane or via iPhone. It also doesn’t matter what type of drone is flown. Clients have the choice to use one image collection method, or all three!
In other words, BYOD. Bring your own drone, we’ll process the data. Don’t want to do that? No problem, we’ll provide the most cost effective flight survey solution in the market— we’ll fly your site and process the data. Or you can use an iPhone and we’ll process the data from your smartphone.
As you can see, it doesn’t matter what solution you choose. If you want to invest in a drone in the future, we’re here for you. Your company won’t need to also invest in a system to process the data, or to warehouse it. Our subscribers already receive those benefits. And even better— our clients receive accurate reports in hours with minimal training, no extra hidden fees, and no other distractions.