Most field crews are minimally automated today, but this situation is changing. As technology has improved, more utility companies have begun to focus on that one area that information technology left behind field crews. This paper has discussed benefits and approaches to bringing automation to field crews. As mobilization projects ramp up, new success stories will emerge. If a field force automation project is in your sights, these final six points may be helpful:

1. Create a corporate field automation committee or task force 2. Automate mobile functions across the enterprise using a phased rollout approach 3. Use established automation centers (GIS, WMS, OMS or CAD) as backbone for rollouts 4. Expect and anticipate challenges, and plan for their resolution 5. Project management best practices apply just like for regular IT projects 6. Engage and empower your mobile workforce (involve them in the decision process)

Reprinted with Permission from har*GIS Field Information Systems