Sitetracker
Sitetracker Transforms Project Management

Sitetracker Launches GIS Link to Speed Broadband Deployments Worldwide

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Critical infrastructure firms can align geospatial designs across planning, design, and construction teams to dramatically improve deployment efficiency

MONTCLAIR - Sitetracker, the global deployment operations management software provider serving nearly 300 companies, today launched new capabilities to its already market-leading solution designed to help network operators, engineering, and construction companies accelerate the rollout of fiber broadband by layering construction plans with geographic information systems (GIS) data.

The latest offering, known as Sitetracker GIS Link, establishes a connection between geospatial data sourced from web GIS systems like Esri's ArcGIS and Sitetracker's deployment operations suite. GIS Link is also set to bolster Sitetracker with additional features that will offer network operators an elevated level of insight into their deployments. This includes aggregating critical metrics such as the number of homes covered by market and service area. These newly introduced functionalities aim to streamline the sharing of GIS data, fostering enhanced collaboration among both internal and external stakeholders. Ultimately, this advancement will contribute to the accelerated expansion of broadband services to rural and underserved communities.

"We're excited to be among the first to roll out Sitetracker GIS Link! With fiber work continuing to ramp up, GIS-enabled workflows are vital to improving collaboration while reducing inefficiency," said Rob Reynolds, Chief Information Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Congruex. "Aligning geospatial data with projects is a logical evolution that enables Sitetracker to remain a key and core system in our overall architecture."

Telecom tower operators, solar developers, EV companies, and various other infrastructure firms will also experience advantages from Sitetracker GIS Link. This tool facilitates the integration of multiple map layers, thus allowing companies to eliminate the need for laborious manual analysis of potential wireless site locations or solar development sites. Instead, they can seamlessly incorporate their proprietary site data into their deployment operations management tools, streamlining the decision-making process.

"Globally, broadband deployment is at an all-time high driven by large-scale investments from both public and private sectors, and providers simply cannot work quickly enough to meet this surging demand," said Charlie Kennamer, Sitetracker's Vice President of Telecom, Americas. "We can only meet aggressive build-out targets by shedding outdated processes and adapting modern, efficiency-oriented technology and solutions."

GIS Link, featuring seamless integration of geospatial data, simplifies the alignment of planning, engineering, and construction tasks. This solution establishes a unified, real-time workflow for stakeholders, enabling them to maintain synchronization between network plans and construction progress, resulting in more streamlined handovers. For project managers, engineers, and construction managers who may still rely on manual paper-based processes and ad hoc collaboration tools, this software simplifies the receipt of GIS-based work plans, facilitates work organization and scheduling, ensures accurate tracking of production progress, and expedites reporting, all while eliminating the need for manual data entry.

These capabilities make Sitetracker GIS Link a valuable tool in expediting broadband and other deployment projects, aligning with ambitious goals set forth by initiatives such as "Internet for All" in the United States, "Project Gigabit" in the United Kingdom, and the European Union's "Digital Decade."

According to the World Broadband Association, the presence of fiber connectivity is closely linked to economic growth and increased citizen participation in education, business, and civic opportunities. Nevertheless, challenges like deployment costs, regulatory hurdles, and limited resources pose obstacles to broadband expansion, particularly in rural regions and developing nations. Achieving efficiency gains is crucial for advancing critical infrastructure development.

"We are excited about the efficiency gains that the Esri Sitetracker partnership will provide the industry to better bridge the world's digital divide," said Randall René, director of telecommunications industry solutions at Esri.

Prior to the introduction of GIS Link, Sitetracker had already demonstrated its capability to reduce construction timelines for companies by an average of 31%, starting from project initiation to completion. This improvement has empowered organizations to efficiently oversee various aspects, including project management, asset management, site management, as well as processes related to capital planning, permitting, ongoing maintenance, and more—all consolidated within a unified platform.

For further information regarding Sitetracker's comprehensive deployment operations management solution designed for fiber network operators, contractors, and other essential infrastructure stakeholders, please visit the Sitetracker website.