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inspectt ech

From Coding to Running a Company and Everything In Between

Presented by: Jeremy Shaffer, Ph.D.Michael Schellhase

Feb. 15th, 2010

inspectt ech Increasing Quality, Enhancing Data Access, Improving Safety!

Agenda

• Who we are and what we do

• Product Architecture• Lessons Learned• Q & A


History

• Founded in 2003• Founders have computer science/engineering

backgrounds• Funded by local Economic Development group• Initially focused exclusively on improving the

bridge inspection process via software• Company Growth Stages

inspectt

echIncreasing Quality, Enhancing Data Access, Improving Safety!


InspectTech’s Role

• We are a company focused on providing quality software solutions for structure inspection and management – Provide Inspection Software– Provide Management Software– System Design/Integration– Recommendations on Technology


InspectTech’s Approach

• Have flexible core system and products• Work with customers to tailor for specific

needs • Establish consistent, high quality, and

reliable format for collection and management of data

• Allow for enhancements (pictures, sketches, interactive manuals…)

• Provide data for critical decisions in an efficient, easy to use manner

• Integrate with existing business processes• Provide training and continual support


InspectTech’s Approach

Proven Core System + Fully Customizable=

Reliable Solution that meets customer’s exact needs


Benefits of State of the Art System

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• Asset Management – leads to better safety, more efficient planning & lower operational costs.– Maintenance (search for & schedule needed repairs)– Programming (search for & schedule improvements)– Run Reports (save time not looking through paper

files)– Store & retrieve correspondence, plans, etc.– Lessen # of problems falling through the “crack”

• Public safety – reduced property damage and personal injuries by resolving problems sooner.

• Less Liability – as a result of better safety.


Goals for using Technology

• Increase quality, detail, and accuracy of data

• Save time• Avoid mistakes• Catch potential problems early• Everything just flows seamlessly• Instant submission… no lag time• Improve Safety

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Wide Variety of Structures

• Bridges• Culverts• Over Head Sign Structures• Tunnels• Retaining Walls• Sound Walls• Guard Rail• High Mast Lighting• Many more…


Core Software System


Inspection Software

BridgeInspectTM CollectorHigh quality inspections done easier,

quicker, and more reliably!


Inspection Software Modules

Laptop Edition• Runs on Laptop/Tablet computers in the field• Each person given username/password• Username determines structures and permissions• Electronic enabled versions of all inspection forms• Once done with field work all data can be submitted to

the server computer

Internet Edition• After inspection submitted from field can be

continued/edited from any network computer • No installed software required• All features on laptop available• Allows for anytime/anywhere access

Inspection Management• Start inspection on

laptop/tablet • Submitted to Web-

Server when in office• Report continued

from any computer• Submitted for review• Reviewed and

approved online• Able to run reporting

and searching on data

Overview


Familiar Web Based Interface

• Very Easy to Support• Access from Anywhere• Usernames drive permissions• Allow Consultant and County/City Access


Program


Reference Pictures


Pictures/Attachments Easy To Add


Simple Report Generation


Inspection Management Software

Powerful ‘Electronic File Cabinet’, turning all your data into valuable information for reporting, analysis, and tracking.

GIS

Cost EstimatesInstant Access

Pictures/Sketches

Work Orders

Prioritization Scheduling


Interactive Mapping

- Output search results to map

- Full capabilities to zoom, pan, add aerial photos, etc.


Trending Module

- Much cheaper and safer to fix problems when they are just starting

- Software’s trending tools allow county/city to quickly find new problems early on

- Able to find changes on NBI and Element Level data


Needs Prioritization Example


Graphical Summaries of Data


New Feature - Photo Editing


Lessons Learned


Lesson Learned #1

• Never assume the user knows what they are doing!

– Mouse Functionality– Battery Dead– Screenshot Email– …..


Lesson Learned #2

• Importance of the UserInterface

– Color Coding– Intuitiveness


Lesson Learned #3

• If you build it … they mightnot come!

– Importance of good sales and marketing


Lesson Learned #4

• You gotta live with the code you write!– A.K.A. - the difference between a

school project and a company project

– A.K.A. - Jeremy no longer writes code


Lesson Learned #5

• Listen to the customers/users!

– Assuming you know what they want can get you in trouble.


Lesson Learned #6

• Spend the time to do it right.

– It takes a lot more time to fix a problem later rather than sooner.


Thoughts on Mobile Computing

• Technology is there• User capability often is not

- Trilon failure- Speech to Text - Tablets/Handhelds

• Importance of getting user buy-in• Making the economics works• Wireless possibilities• Slowly revolutionize many industries


Parting Thoughts

• It is about more than just code• Lots of options for CS/Engineering

Majors• Keep your skills current• Perseverance

• InspectTech is looking for quality people to join our team


Questions

inspectt

ech

Is it really safe?

inspect t ech

Documents

data access

technologyincrease quality

quality software solutions

result of better safety

structure inspection

management of dataallow

bridge inspection process

asset management leads