Ground Investigation Data Goes Fully Digital

SOCOTEC GI is at the forefront of this evolution through the use of the OpenGround Data Collector, developed by Bentley Systems. This innovative tool allows SOCOTEC GI site teams to collect real-time data on site and streamline the entire process, from data transfer through quality assurance to delivering results to clients.

For nearly two years, SOCOTEC engineers have been leveraging the Data Collector app, with a strategic aim to transition all site teams within SOCOTEC GI to the platform. This transition facilitates multi-stream data input by engineers, technicians, site agents and drillers simultaneously, greatly enhancing operational efficiency. In collaboration with Bentley Systems, SOCOTEC has developed bespoke drilling Data Collector profiles to facilitate consistent reporting of drilling information, while also enabling the wider site team to digitally document mandatory compliance checks of plant, equipment and site parameters.

The adoption of the Data Collector app by both engineers and SOCOTEC drillers has been transformative. Benefits include:

1. Superior Accuracy

Bespoke data entry profiles and built in validation features ensures the information collected is relevant and at reduced risk of manual input errors, ensuring the data collected on site is accurate and of the highest quality.

2. Speed and Efficiency

Via the Data Collector app, the submission of data to the OpenGround cloud database is instantaneous, enabling information to be transferred within seconds from site to the reporting team, enabling prompt quality assurance reviews and submission to our clients in record time.

3. Seamless Integration

Using AGS format data, the data captured via the Data Collector app integrates seamlessly into existing workflows and systems maximising data transfer efficiency via the OpenGround cloud database to our clients.

4. Multi-stream Data Acquisition

Bespoke data entry profiles are designed to meet the specific inputting requirements for engineers, technicians, site agents and drillers, providing them with the tools they need to capture critical site data from different perspectives.

5. Enhanced Collaboration

Through the user friendly mobile interface, engineers and drillers can remotely and readily access all information submitted to the database, enabling seamless workflow and facilitating better communication and collaboration between team members, allowing for improved decision making and efficient problem solving on site.

6. Safety and Compliance

Dedicated data entry profiles allow drillers to accurately and efficiently document their health and safety and legislative compliance checks of plant carried out on site.

Implementing OpenGround Data Collector across our entire team has streamlined the data transfer process to clients, significantly reducing the number of intermediate steps. The evolution of our data journey below illustrates how manual data entry and AGS import were once part of the process, and how the path to the client is now much more direct and efficient.

Real-time data synchronisation has significantly improved the accuracy and consistency of the information gathered, while also enhancing the efficiency of the data collection process. This technological advancement ensures that SOCOTEC GI continues to deliver high-quality, reliable data to clients, setting a new standard for the geotechnical industry.