The Lowdown
EPRI wanted to take a more efficient approach to powerplant inspections, which were done visually and logged manually. They needed a secure, reliable place to combine field notes and images that could be easily accessible across collaborators.
The Problem
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) was in need of an application for on-site employees to use while conducting powerplant inspections. In their current process, the inspections were conducted visually but logged manually. Paper-based field guides were difficult to access while on site. Their goal was to create an app that could house the field guide so it could be easily accessed on-site while also allowing employees to take notes and document their findings with pictures. EPRI needed to streamline the process of powerplant inspections.
Working together with the EPRI IT team, our team developed an app that could do all that and more. Their technical abilities and communication skills made for an easy partnership that is ongoing to continue developing the app. After our team identified user stories and specific details on the app, we provided wireframes to demonstrate the flow of the app and developed the native iOS app for iPhone and iPad.
The Solution
Thanks to the new app created with hedgehog lab, powerplant inspections and reports are easier than ever before. The app allows users to access the field guide while performing inspections and walkthroughs. It also helps identify degradations in a power plant storing.
The ability to take pictures, record notes via text or voice, and notify collaborators of something requiring their attention has helped to streamline the process for more consistent and reliable results. The information is uploaded to Azure and a digital library is created of the walkthroughs performed by our users for future use and reference. Everything you need can be found in one easy-to-locate place.
The Product
We developed the native iOS app for iPhone and iPad. The app improves the efficiency of recording walkthroughs, as well as the retrievability of records.
The EPRI App gives users in the field the ability to:
- Take pictures and record notes via text or voice from the field.
- Notify collaborators and experts at HQ of something requiring their attention.
- Create a digital library of inspections for future reference.
- Secure information within a centralized database
- Identify degradations in power plant storing
- Add location details and tags to locate issues later
