Drone Services Provider Case Study: Upping the Game with Opt…

Photo: Zulu Discovery

Case Study.  How a profitable drone providers firm saves 3 – four days and vital personnel time to ship buyer insights: an Interview with Rusty Batey, CEO and Founder, of Zulu Marine and Aerial based mostly in Savannah, GA.

Drone information administration has change into a scorching matter in the business – in spite of everything, the worth drones provide is in the enormous quantity of knowledge that they generate.  Many drone providers corporations, nevertheless, can’t see how these methods match into their current workflow. As Georgia-based Zulu Discovery explains, the Optelos system doesn’t simply slot in – it streamlines the workflow, saving money and time and growing the providers supplied to their prospects.

Zulu Discovery is a full service information providers firm – offering aerial, floor, and marine providers.  A authorities contractor offering catastrophe reduction, inspection, and underwater exploration providers Zulu generates huge portions of knowledge for his or her prospects – relying upon the mission, from 30 MB to 150 GB.

How do they handle and ship that information in the most beneficial kind to purchasers?  Zulu now makes use of the Optelos Drone Data Management platform, a complicated visible information administration and AI Analytics answer.  Prior to utilizing Optelos, We had been DropBox junkies,” says Batey. “That could be a nightmare if the customer did not have enough space on their DropBox account to receive our deliverables… we had files everywhere and it just wasn’t very efficient.  We used many different mediums but we could never find that single pane of glass that allowed us to be carefree & flexible as we are now.” 

Here’s how Zulu has partnered with Optelos to develop their enterprise.

photograph courtesy Zulu Discovery

It’s All About the Deliverable

Zulu focuses on offering worth for his or her prospects.  They guarantee that the service they provide precisely matches with the wants of the buyer.  “I believe that we are a valuable service because we partner with professionals,” says Rusty Batey. “We didn’t buy a drone and all of sudden think we were an inspection company or a surveying company – we bought drones, hired talented people, and then partnered with professional companies to add value and efficiencies to THEIR businesses.”

“Over time, we have found ways to really add value to our own brand as well. That comes from professionalism and understanding that it’s the deliverable that customers are looking for,” says Batey. “Optelos has helped us to deliver in a way that is easy and unique for our customers.”

The information is the deliverable.  Zulu typically gathers imagery which permits for the creation of Orthomosaics, Panoramic stills, 4K/HD video, excessive decision inspection stills, and measurable 3D fashions. We had been utilizing a number of portals for various information sorts –some for storing information, and a few for viewing,” says Batey. “Having all of our data in one place and being able to view it is crucial for the client experience.”

Drone information administration has developed over the previous couple of years, Batey says – and buyer expectations have modified too.  “I’ve seen a lot of improvement and a lot of change,” he feedback. “Being able to manipulate in the cloud direct from a browser, rather than constant downloading and uploading is a big advantage.  It used to be just a set of pictures that was delivered to the client.  Now its organized actionable data that’s turned around quickly.”

Zulu is ready to present differing types – and extra – information to their prospects utilizing Optelos.  “For example, we can now provide orthomosaics in a much easier viewing platform that allows these orthos to be overlaid against each other and rolled back, utilizing a variety of comparison methods,” Batey explains. “Optelos’ OrthoCompare™ feature is one of our favorite things to show off to our customers.”

The Time Savings – on Both Sides

Using a complicated information administration system saves Zulu vital time.  “Prior to Optelos ,the data management piece was cumbersome and could take several days [3-4 days] to fully complete.” says Batey. “We had to manually compile folders, remember how images needed to be tagged, and then have to carefully convey that information to our clients.  This was very time consuming and costly.”

“Now, our project data is typically uploaded and ready for customer viewing within 24 hours on very large projects – but usually much less.  The Optelos platform does all the hard work so we can concentrate on other aspects of our business.  It’s been a game changer for us in terms of our ability to deliver beautiful results to our clients in a fraction of the time.”

There’s a time financial savings for the buyer, too, says Batey. “The client can access the data more quickly, and also sort through it more quickly using the FlyView™ feature in Optelos.  For example, previously the client would have to download an ortho which are often hundreds of MBs to Gigs in size. Then they have to manually bring it into another software to view, and of course they have to try to match that up to the images and other notes,” he explains. “Now, without any prior knowledge of what issues are found, clients can pull it up in FlyView , see the targeted insight image overlays, add annotations, and take measurements right from there.”

More Value, More Features

Batey factors out that with a exact system of administration, prospects really feel extra snug permitting extra stakeholders to make use of the information – in order that they get extra worth. “Different stakeholders have different needs,” he says. “We label the folders based on the stakeholder’s roles and then populate those folders with data that is unique to each group.”

“Our Customers love the idea of sharing EXACTLY what’s needed to each party.  We’ve been working with a large general contractor that’s doing a lot of work in the Savannah area.  At least once a week, they’re asking us to grant access to another employee or site owner.”

In addition, Zulu plans to make the most of new options as they’re launched on the Optelos platform.  “We are looking forward to using their new 3D mesh viewer and reports, that could provide even more value to our clients,” he says.  “In addition, we have been trialing Optelos’ new Panorama feature and can’t wait to see that in full production.  We are also excited about the advancement and maturity of their AI feature.”

Optelos’ speedy improvement, various software set, and introduction of latest options is a useful asset for Zulu, who gives all kinds of providers.  “Our company was born in disaster response. We have used UAVs to map marine debris after hurricanes… Another instance is for environmental remediation support. In the event of a spill, we are typically the first team onsite to provide aerial support and real-time situational awareness,” says Batey. “We also partner with a very large TIA Inspection company for the cell tower industry. We are working with Optelos now to enhance solutions for those verticals.”

photograph courtesy Zulu Discovery

 “We are a really various firm, serving Air, Land, and Marine environments. Our depth of data via a number of verticals has proved invaluable, particularly when disasters have an effect on issues starting from vertical to underwater property. We have even used Optelos’ Drone Work Advisor™ to show sonar information. This is one other nice use for the ortho-compare software.”

Shared Values

Beyond huge enhancements to their workflow and buyer supply, Zulu says that Optelos shares their firm values – making the partnership profitable on all fronts.  “This has been extremely important to us,” says Batey. “I’ve had many personal calls with staff at Optelos. They are always looking to help turn issues into opportunities. One software can’t solve every issue, but they really try to say yes, or ‘lets see how we can figure this out.’”

“Their ‘Can-Do’ attitude has been refreshing to say the least.”

Batey says that perspective and repair orientation is crucial in a buyer partnership.  “It’s everything,” he feedback. “I heard once that you can’t make everyone happy… I don’t believe that. I believe that sometimes you just have to be willing to lose money for the greater good.”

“I’ve never gone wrong yet putting a little extra skin in the game  – Optelos has confirmed that belief.”

Company Profiles

About Zulu Marine and Aerial

Zulu gives a underwater, land and aerial Inspection, marine transport and assist, environmental response, aerial 3D and placement mapping providers.  Zulu is predicated in Savannah, GA.

For extra info go to www.zuludiscovery.com

About Optelos

Optelos is the world’s main supplier of drone visible information administration and AI analytics software program options.  We assist enterprises and drone service suppliers combine drone-based functions into current enterprise workflows to show information into actionable insights.  Optelos is predicated in Austin, TX. For extra info, go to http://www.optelos.com

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