Bringing in AirWorks allowed CEC to meet an almost unthinkable deadline and then secured additional work as a result of their outstanding performance. Additionally, CEC is enjoying a host of benefits from AirWorks’ AI feature extraction software beyond just completing quality deliverables on time:
1) Parallel Workflows Enabling Tight Turnarounds:
The project proved how relying on technology to manage certain tasks can keep projects on track through concurrent workflows. While AirWorks’ AI platform created the line work for existing site features, CEC’s team was simultaneously managing other, more complicated aspects. Handling all project phases in-house would have required more team members or a longer timeline, which in today’s tight labor market and demanding industry were not realistic options. Instead, looping AI into this divide-and-conquer approach allowed CEC to meet the client’s deadline and it also gave them a glimpse into an exciting future for their business: delivering more projects, faster.
2) Economical Cost Per Acre:
For CEC, AirWorks has proved to be a cost-effective option for creating planimetric linework from in-house UAV aerial imagery. In Sinclair’s experience, using AirWorks for feature extraction breaks down to an average of $17-$23 per acre. Comparatively, having numerous open positions means CEC might have to rely on a licensed surveyor with a billable rate of $100+ per hour to complete manual feature extraction at a rate of 1-2 acres per hour. AirWorks’ value is evident, not only for the physical cost per acre, but especially when taking into account the other valuable tasks employees can perform in the time they would have spent tracing features.
“I think the final selling point for us was really the cost per acre versus the manhour cost for doing the same type of work,” explained Sinclair. “You get good quality data in a lesser amount of time, for less cost, and you’re not taking someone away from other important tasks. With all that said, it was kind of a win-win all the way around.”
3) Saving Valuable Time for Valuable Tasks:
Line work is important but ultimately tedious. And time is valuable – especially when work is coming in fast. Groesser understands that technology like AirWorks can help employees maximize their effectiveness.
“Survey staff is so difficult to find. Why do you want to bog them down with tracing parking stalls? If you’re under the gun trying to push out a deliverable and you spent 95% of your time drafting what we could have used AirWorks to draft, it gives you less time to focus on the things that are critical, like the dimensions, spot elevations, finished floor elevations, and inverts of manholes.”
4) Accuracy and Attention to Detail:
“The first time I knew that we made the right decision was when Rob gave me a call and said [AirWorks] discovered that two of our images didn’t match by five-hundredths of a foot,” said Groesser.
Coming from the days of mechanical theodolites and steel tapes, when certain, non-critical elements were simply approximated and shown graphically, Groesser was impressed with AirWorks’ precision. Although the offset was relatively minor and ended up not being a factor, he appreciated that AirWorks had notified them. To him, it spoke volumes about AirWorks’ attention to detail and the software’s capabilities. On a different project, it may have been critical.
“The fact that [AirWorks] pointed out five-hundredths of a foot of difference said to me that we made the right choice."
5) Efficiency that Complements Safety:
Safety is a core value at CEC, and the company recognizes that using UAVs in lieu of point-to-point surveying whenever possible keeps crews out of busy roadways and other less-safe environments. However, before AirWorks, increased safety in the field came at the cost of more hours in the office to complete the tedious manual feature extraction. Now, processing UAV data with AirWorks makes UAV data collection not only the safest option but also the most efficient.
6) Trust Built on Personal Relationships:
For CEC, getting to know the people behind the product plays a significant role in gaining their trust and eventually their business. Groesser and Sinclair appreciate the personal relationships they have developed with the AirWorks team. Being able to meet with them in person at their offices and at conferences across the country has built a deep trust along with a confidence that AirWorks has their best interests in mind. It also creates a comfort level with CEC’s clients, knowing that their consultant is keeping their project data local and with people they trust.
“For me, I think the thing that differentiated AirWorks is you guys were interested in getting to know us and not just sell us your product,” remarked Groesser. “We wanted to keep something with a company where we actually know human beings and that is relatively local.”
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