Leveraging Katapult Pro to Map, Track, and Demonstrate Network Worth

We refer to poles, equipment, and attachments as assets for a reason: they represent the value of a network. Unfortunately, small internet service providers can struggle to document their network in a way that demonstrates their total value. 

To do this, teams need to be able to clearly map out: 

1. What assets exist 

2. Their true geolocations 

3. Customers being served

4. Work in progress and statuses 

With this info, small ISPs can assess their own growth and value, and present that to stakeholders and decision makers. 

Between rapid inventories, map dashboards, and our field assessment tools, we knew Katapult Pro was primed to help solve this issue, and we’ve been workshopping a fiber-to-the-home workflow that will help ISPs to gather, map, and visualize their network using defensible photo documentation!

Gathering Source Data 

Teams start by importing source data from current records into Katapult Pro, including the lat/long of assets, pole tags, and so on. This data can also include what type of customer is being served: business, single dwelling unit, or multi-dwelling unit.

That information is uploaded to Katapult Pro and appears as node data, and back office teams map out connections and connection types using overhead, underground, and customer-based locations and records. 

The combo of underground and overhead tools within Katapult Pro means staff have everything they need to map out the entire network accurately. 

Deploying Field Teams and Leveraging Data 

Using field assessment tools and the created deployment plans, field crews can gather documentation on hundreds of assets every day. Because they don’t have to gather height measurements, techs can even gather the data from the car.  

Field crews validate the data using a field checklist, taking photos of different assets and showing handholes, pedestals, service drops, and more. They correct missing or unrecorded connections and provide photo documentation of the network’s state.  

Generating Maps and Visuals 

Back in the office, staff annotate photos and run QC checks to make sure that all data is up to standards. From there, teams can create map dashboards to filter and present various forms of data and locations based on different attributes, showing connection types, customers served, access points, and more, all tied to real locations. 

With this intel, ISPs can make track and manage their work from a 30,000-foot view, both for better next steps and plotting out where to expand, and to develop a comprehensive and robust database showcasing the value and scope of their assets for stakeholders to leverage. 

ISPs can use free, read-only accounts to grant access to outside stakeholders. With read user access, other teams can review data at a moment’s notice!

If you’re looking for ways to improve your data management and showcase your network’s potential, Katapult Pro has the tools you need! Get in touch with our team today to learn more! 

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