ElSnap simplifies the everyday life of utility workers

Skagerak Nett has developed the ElSnap image application together with the software company Powel. The application will simplify documentation tasks for both the grid owner and utility workers.

Skagerak Nett had a specific problem for which they needed a solution: They struggled to get excavation contractors to take photos of their cable trenches. Often the trench had already been filled in by the time the utility workers arrived at the construction site, and by then it was too late to pull out a phone and take a photo of the cables.

“Neither the utility workers nor the grid company was getting adequate documentation. That’s why we needed a simple solution to the problem. We’re very pleased with how ElSnap solved this,” says Christian Dahl of Skagerak Energi.

Powel ElSnap does not require any login procedure or software installed on the device. From the core system (in this case Elsmart Nettmelding) an operator can send out emails to everyone from whom documentation must be collected. This email contains a link to a simple web application with instructions about which photos should be taken. The recipient uploads the photos and clicks ‘Save’. Elsmart Nettmelding will then automatically update with information about the fact that images have been uploaded.

Better documentation and data security

“ElSnap is easy to use and quickly provides us with good documentation of the jobs we do. The data security is also much better, since the data is sent via the web application and is automatically stored in the right place in our systems,” says Dahl.

Utility workers are required to document the power cables, while the grid companies are also subject to strict guidelines regarding the documentation of all work on the power grid. In collaboration with Powel, Skagerak Nett has now developed an innovative open API application, which can be linked to different systems used by grid companies or businesses in other industries.

“With ElSnap you can collect photos in a very simple way. There’s a big need for that among all grid companies, and we hope more people will be interested in adopting the technology,” he says.

Saves lots of time 

Powel and Skagerak Nett have been working on the technology for a long time and have tested out the application in practice. They are now very satisfied with its performance.

“The next step will be to optimise the management interface and attract more users. We’re confident that many people will soon start using ElSnap. It promises to save a lot of time per message,” says Thøger Amundsen in Powel.