Enterprises of all sizes in construction, agriculture, mining, insurance, energy, utilities, and other land and asset-intensive industries are aggressively adopting drones to improve safety, increase efficiency, and improve margins.
This rapid growth in the commercial drone market is reflected in forecasts from the Federal Aviation Administration, which predicts the number of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) could quadruple from 2018 to 2023, totaling over 1.2 million units by the end of that five-year period.
The right drone mapping, modeling, and business intelligence solutions can deliver increased visibility, data accuracy, and speed-of-execution unmatched by traditional manual solutions or by point solution providers.
But many enterprise buyers find that selecting the right software in a crowded market is challenging. Many solutions sound the same, but have vastly different capabilities. It is not uncommon for vendors to slap an enterprise label on their software or highlight their one large customer to woo companies that need enterprise-grade solutions.
Enterprises must be deliberate and thorough as they research and select solutions that are vital to everyday operations and could impact employee and customer safety. Key criteria enterprises should consider include:
- Answers in Real Time: Does the software analyze images in real-time and help you get answers to your most pressing operational questions?
- Ease of Use: Can users get up-to-speed quickly without extensive training? Employees in the field may have little time to learn new solutions, and they may work in environments where it’s difficult or impossible to consult references.
- User Friendly in Online and Offline Environments: Does the product work—regardless of internet connectivity? Is it mobile friendly?
- Integration with Your Workflow: Does the solution work with the applications your employees use everyday—without double data entry or switching between applications?
- Collaboration: Teams work best when they work together. Does the solution foster collaboration and promote a shared view of project or program status?
- Security: Does the solution comply with internationally recognized security standards? Does the solution enable you to set permissions and workflows aligned with your security requirements? Do other vendors have third-party access to your data?
- Scalability: Will the solution scale with your needs and requirements over time? Does the vendor’s product roadmap anticipate the needs of your industry in the short-term and over the long-term? Does the vendor have a history of delivering on its roadmap?
- Dedication to Customer Success: Some enterprises require custom consulting services, whereas others find email support more than sufficient. Does the vendor offer the services your organization needs to achieve your target outcomes?
- Customer References: Does the vendor have paying customers that are the same size and in the same industry as you? What is their evaluation of the vendor’s ability to execute?
Enhance your due diligence with the questions above. Need extra guidance? Contact us. We'll be happy to answer your questions.