There’s no way around it, travel to and from remote sites is costly. Compound that with the fees that external contractors charge, or time lost from work for senior stakeholders, and it can be hard to reconcile just how much time and money something that seems so simple can consume. This has been the way things are always done, and until recently, there really wasn’t another option. Luckily, with the advent of new virtual technologies, new solutions have emerged.
Improvements
Over time, remote assets need upgrades and refurbishments, but planning these projects involves multiple back and forth trips, and an extended timeline. But what if your remote site was easily accessible from the head office? With virtual tours, every aspect of the site is scanned, mapped, and reproduced digitally. This creates a virtual site that is ready to walk through at any time. The time, effort, and expense of initial site visits could be eliminated. The site would not need to shut down for detailed inspections, and contractors would be able to provide more accurate quotes and timelines for project completion from the outset.
Our high resolution 360° imagery can deliver a virtual walk-through of the facility. Gathering as-built data, we create accurate 3D models that will ensure modifications and upgrades are designed and fabricated to fit perfectly the first time. That means no costly re-work.
Implementation
Virtual tours become even more useful once planning is complete and works begin. Rather than paying contractors for time spent doing on-site inductions, the majority of the inductions can be carried out much closer to home. With the walkthrough feature, a virtual tour also increases site familiarity from day one of the project. This familiarity with the site also minimizes exposure for health and safety incidents. Virtual tours are safer, more cost-effective, and more time-efficient than site visits for all aspects of project and maintenance planning.
Beyond Projects
Virtual Tours don’t just help improve your efficiency when it comes to planning. When paired with Safety Instructional materials, they provide an opportunity for experiential learning that increases content retention and helps to improve safety culture on site. Virtual tours can also be used to promote brand awareness and attract excellent job candidates. Who doesn’t want to work for a company on the cutting edge?
The opportunities for utilizing virtual tours to increase the accessibility of remote sites is endless. Discover just how far this technology can travel, so you don’t have to.
