As modern life becomes increasingly digital and increasingly wireless, communications specialists say the oil and gas industry is embracing advances technology to not only to make itself more efficient, but also to promote company safety.
In the past two years GPS vehicle and fleet tracking systems have become go-to technology for many oil and gas companies, says Cactus Communications sales manager Rhonda Beierbach.
“It's basically a device that's installed inside the vehicle, and a dispatcher can sit at a desk and view their whole fleet, see where the guys are working, where they're traveling," she says.
The devices can track stolen vehicles and monitor speeds and idling times, says Beierbach, adding the information the GPS
units send back can also act as an early warning flag if a driver runs into trouble on the road.
"There are a lot of work-alone policies out right now,” she notes.
Denis Leung of Datacore Digital says LSD Maps for GPS units are also gaining popularity with his oil and gas customers. The maps offer comprehensive information on rural routes legal subdivisions in Western Canada.
"The (GPS units) you purchase from Future Shop or wherever, they're only good for the city,” he explains. “If you type in, says, 151 5th Street, it'll take you there. But LSD will help you locate wells and pipelines."
While handheld and vehicle installed GPS systems used to retail for around $1500, Lung says costs have come down rapidly in the last two years - with units typically selling for $100
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to $400 - which has helped to increase their popularity with businesses.
Both Leung and Beierbach say they’re also seeing an major increase in the use of hands- free communication technology, such as wireless cell phone ear pieces and car kits, by their oil and gas clients.
Drivers in BC and Saskatchewan are already banned from using handheld cell-phones. And while Alberta has no legislation at present, “it will be coming, I'm sure," says Beierbach.
Hands-free technology, she says, “allows the employees to be in contact with anybody they need to be," without requiring them to fumble with a handheld device that could lead to distracted driving.
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