Author: Fred Depuy, Chief Strategy Officer
Value Streams are a set of defined steps in a process (flow) complimented by a relentless commitment to removing waste in the process (workflow). The more non-value-added steps (transactions) you can remove from the process, the more likely you are to eliminate errors (reliability), improve efficiency (reduced lead-time), and lower cost (what the customer doesn’t want to pay for). All of which end up as value-added for the business, market, and client.
ARE’s value proposition is to simplify the process of collecting, managing, and utilizing information through on-site engineering, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and software solutions for the transportation, energy, and environmental markets. In support of our value proposition, ARE provides Engineering, UAS, and Software Solutions as independent services (revenue streams) or collectively as a combined offering (value stream). This allows the market and our clients to view ARE as an Engineering and Technology Solutions Provider. We are a team focused on providing end-to-end solutions that help remove waste for customers having to manage multiple disciplines, equipment, logistics, information, etc.
The graphic below demonstrates our (3) value streams: Engineering, UAS/GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and Software; and how they can act independently from one another or collectively as a combined solution.
Engineering Solutions
ARE is one of the fastest-growing engineering services and technology companies in the short line railroad market vertical, focusing on bridge inspections, ratings, design, and construction management. The company manages over 3,500 bridges across the US with PE licenses in 26 states. The depth in our structural and design engineering is being leveraged to other areas within other infrastructure applications (utility; roadway bridges; telecom towers; wind turbines; solar fields, etc.).
How The Revenue Streams Work Together
To improve the efficiency of our inspectors and engineers, ARE has implemented our new AREview™ Rail Management Portal (RMP) (additional details below). The Mobile Bridge Management Module enables on-site data input and real-time viewing of condition assessments across our clients’ entire asset inventory. This is done without having to wait for lengthy field reports to be generated off-site. Additionally, our UAS Team, equipped with a wide range of sensors and aircraft, assists our bridge engineers to ensure that every inspection point is addressed. Whether it’s high-resolution imagery or video, thermal imagery, photogrammetry; LiDAR; or confined area access, having internal UAS capability gives the engineering team options in terms of the data collection requirements. Furthermore, our GIS Team translates the data into a direct deliverable for the client or integrates it into the AREview™ RMP client database portal for future access.
Waste Removed
Misplaced, disorganized, and unreliable field data; lead-time for translating data collection for client viewing.
UAS / GIS Solutions
ARE, under the brand name of AirShark, has flown 3,000+ missions covering a wide range of applications:
- Complex bridge and infrastructure inspections
- Large area UAS LiDAR/photogrammetry mapping
- Safety and sock line pull pilot programs
- BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) for linear asset management
- Advanced UAS testing in GPS denied environments.
ARE couples its UAS experience with a team of GIS Analysts to ensure the data quality and data delivery provides clients with actionable insight.
How The Revenue Streams Work Together
When inspecting critical infrastructure including utility poles; railroads, bridges, telecom towers; wind turbines; coastal and wetland environments, etc.; having experienced civil and structural engineers, GIS Analysts and a software development team produce three outputs:
- The client expectations equate to how the mission is planned and data delivered.
- The equipment selection, setup, and deployment, in terms of recognizing defects or critical measures, is part of the project workflow.
- The data sets are easily accessible, organized, and the data is placed into an environment for machine learning.
Waste Removed
Reduces the likelihood of defects; over-processing or rework
Software Solutions
Earlier this year, ARE released its AREview™ Software Suite that includes Rail Management Portal (RMP) and Project Management Portal (PMP). What makes the software unique is that it’s built on an architecture that allows ARE to scale the software across multiple infrastructure applications. Therefore, removing the restrictions as tied to just rail applications. Our GIS Team is developing a dashboard to improve the visualization of photogrammetry and LiDAR data sets.
How The Revenue Streams Work Together
AREview™ RMP was built by ARE’s civil engineers that are out in the field performing bridge inspections regularly. This translates back to how the architecture is constructed, formulas tie together, and fields are available for viewing critical information. The same is true for the AREview™ PMP and soon the Track Management Portal (TMP). The first-hand field experience of our team ties right back into how the software was built and is intended to be used. Complimenting this is the accuracy and perspective multiple UAS sensors and platforms lend to the data collection process. In turn, minimizing unknowns. Having a GIS Team allows us to provide the client what they’re asking for versus data they can’t handle or use.
Waste Removed
Eliminates waiting time; added time of data transferring from one manual stage to another; the likelihood of lost information; data overload.
Summary
The best way to describe how the three value streams can make up ONE combined solution is through 2 examples.
- A new client had a complex bridge, with extremely high traffic volume, that required inspection and condition recommendations. ARE deployed the inspection team with a civil engineer and a UAS pilot to complete the tactile inspection. The team utilized multiple aircraft and sensors (Sony AR7 iv – 60 mp; Aertos 130 UAS for interior spaces; Riegl Mini VUX-1 LiDAR Sensor for Geometric Modeling) to get a holistic view of the bridge. The data was then fed to AREview™ RMP for report development. The client accessed the reports and raw data via the client portal, and the GIS data was uploaded into AREview™ PMP. The combination of all revenue streams reduced the field time by 50%, reducing costs. It also eliminated over 70% of the time spent with data double-entry and generating reports by providing the data through AREview™ RMP.
- ARE’s UAS team collected LiDAR and photogrammetry data of a 6-mile light rail construction site in Boston, MA. Then, the data was processed, classified, and delivered by our GIS team. Processed data was uploaded to the AREview™ PMP, allowing the client to view the data, make calculations, and collaborate with their teammates simultaneously.
Every service ARE offers, is directly related to each revenue stream in how they complement each other and help keep costs low for our clients. ARE is a team that focuses on continuous improvement, finding ways to reduce costs, and persistently enhancing the quality of our services and products. If you’d like to learn more about how ARE can help you, please contact us at 603-427-9946 or click below.
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