Sometimes, we get so excited to share our latest innovation designed to expedite Small Cell or Underground Fiber Engineering projects that we bury the lead.
So, here it is: we are focused on quality — delivering accurate, on-point solutions and services from site acquisition to A&E and ultimately construction.
Here are 5 ways we ace the accuracy test the first time, every time:
1. We’re precise — to the inch.
We’ve supercharged the technology we take on Small Cell site walks — significantly evolving the status quo scenario of having multiple workers taking manual measurements while jotting down notes. This new arsenal includes using an IKE+ and Real Time Kinimatic (RTK) positioning significantly enhanced with proprietary upgrades. This allows us to capture the photos necessary to create 360-degree views of poles while mapping all measurements to our database through custom forms. These measurements are accurate to the inch vertically and offer sub-foot accuracy horizontally. Once measurements are entered into our eSpeed technology platform, which we’ll explain in greater detail below, erroneous details simply can’t find their way into our database. With this laser focus on data integrity, once we leave the field the first time, we never need to look back.
2. Our new tools measure up. Way up.
Sure, we’re not the only ones in the industry using drones. But no one operating in the telecom or utility verticals is using drones like we are to perform Underground Fiber Engineering. With our eyes in the sky, we can capture 1,000 photos per mile traveled — flying circles around the boots on the ground. On the surface, the chief benefit here is speed, right? After all, who wouldn’t want to trim 6 months from a fiber deployment. But speed is only half the story. Our drone-captured photos are used to create spectacular Ortho Mosaic renderings with pinpoint accuracy. These are just one of several automated imports that allow us to take more than 30% of the drawing package process out of the often error-prone hands of humans.
3. ‘Essentia Earth’ > Google Earth
You know those Ortho Mosaic renderings we just mentioned above? Since we’re snapping photos and capturing data in real time, we don’t need to rely on third-party data sources such as Google Earth, which may be sharing satellite imagery that’s 3 or more years old. A lot can happen in three years — office parks pop up, roads get rerouted, and suburban sprawl can creep up to site boundaries. Bad timing may not be the only issue that makes Google Earth flat. Grainy photo quality can make it tough to take measurements with any confidence. Comparing these images to a 1A may reveal differences of up to 9 feet. For practical purposes, that might as well be miles away.
4. We’re fast learners.
You might have noticed that speed is a pretty big deal at Essentia. We’re not just running full speed ahead toward every goal and deadline; we’re very purposeful in all our pursuits. (So much so that it’s actually one of our three “uniques” — key characteristics we seek out in each team member — along with trust and expertise.) Speed is also one of the desired objectives of the aptly named eSpeed Technology Platform that we referenced above.
We define eSpeed as a set of different technologies — hardware and software wrapped around efficient processes through proprietary programming and workflows. Again, as you might have gathered, eSpeed automates functions that were long managed through high-touch, manual processes. And this is where we get to exactly how eSpeed drives accuracy and quality throughout engineering and construction of small cell and fiber deployments. Instead of copying and pasting data points from one device, platform, or interface to another, we interface directly with data sources to seamlessly gather information from known and trusted sources — significantly reducing the risk of errors being introduced into the equation.
5. We’re always innovating.
Finding a way reinvent telecom’s legacy tools and processes into something better, faster, and more efficient is in our DNA. For example, we just launched a Photo Sim App that creates photo-accurate pole/node simulations right on a smart phone by harnessing the power of augment reality. Also, we have a machine learning project in beta mode that will lengthen the head start we’ve already built for fiber drawing packages through automation.
We’ve talked a few times about removing the human element out of the process. This isn’t about eliminating humans — far from it. Instead, we’re allowing team members to focus on what they love and do best: the innovative, difference-making work. Here’s an example: because of the technology we’ve developed, we don’t need to ask high-level engineers to focus on tedious data entry and QAQC work. It’s already taken care of. Instead, we send them to the eLab to get to work on the next innovation that will further elevate the quality and accuracy of our Fiber and Small Cell deployments.
One more thing…
Perhaps the most convincing way to demonstrate that we hold the belt when it comes to Fiber and Small Cell deployment accuracy is to point to the scoreboard. During and after a Northeast Florida Fiber project, we were able to earn the Carrier’s highest ever quality score — twice. After our first record mark, another provider nosed us out, setting us up to earn the top score once more. Ultimately, we raised the pass rate by 7% while improving the quality score by more than double. This achievement meant that Essentia had outperformed hundreds of vendors in thousands of audits working in America’s 60 largest cities.
Would you like to spend 30 minutes discussing how Essentia can write the best possible outcome for your next project?
Learn more about how Essentia, named a Top 10 Small Cell by Telecom Tech Outlook, is building the future of Small Cell and Fiber in this Inside Towers feature.