Manchester-based WorkMobile's mobile data capture solution has been selected to assist data collection for a new project in the Antarctic.

BAM Nuttall is to develop a new wharf in the Antarctic, as part of a £100m upgrade of the Rothera research station.

WorkMobile's tool will help the 50-strong team replace paper-based methods of data collection with mobile form solutions, in order to improve efficiencies and productivity.

Field engineers will be able to capture data in real time, such as completing digitalised forms, taking photographs and videos and capturing signatures, all while out on site.

Due to the remote nature of the work basic services, such as internet

connectivity and mobile phone signals, will not be available, making capturing and transmitting data extremely difficult. 

However, using a localised WorkMobile server, workers will be able to collect and store the information in the cloud for the duration of the project.  

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When the team returns to the UK, they will be able to download the data and automatically generate the necessary reports and compliance documents needed for the work that was undertaken. 

Rob Youster, director of ICT at BAM Nuttall, said: "In my 30-year career at BAM Nuttall this has been my most challenging and exciting ICT project. A first for my team too - we had to configure and design a computer environment for our Antarctica project in the South Pole.

"With the lack of internet connection at this location and site personnel being on-site for six to ten months, the team had to produce something unique. My team worked on various designs but eventually created a robust, secure, mobile data centre that would work in this potentially hostile environment. 

"Once the designs were approved, we then needed a preferred supplier that was willing to be flexible in its approach, including its engagement with the client and its data capture solution. WorksMobile was that supplier and ensured the project had what was needed, they worked well with our project teams and met our stringent security requirements. Both BAM Nuttall and WorksMobile have produced a unique and one-off solution that may as well have been on planet Mars."

Colin Yates, chief support officer at WorkMobile, added: "Site inspections and reports are crucial to ensuring projects are completed, in line with contractual obligations. But when operating in parts of the world like Antarctica, it makes the job of collecting this information troublesome and can present problems when providing evidence of the work that has been delivered.

"It's great to see that our solution has been adopted by BAM Nuttall as part of their special project. The field team now has a flexible tool kit that can help meet the needs of the contract quickly and effectively, so they can clearly demonstrate the service they have provided."

(CM)