For organizations on the cutting edge of technology, or those that aspire to that end, the days of being tied to the office computer are over.

In an increasing number of industries, mobile technology is creating efficiencies for organizations and their employees. Mobile technology improves workflows by providing workers in the field, and their supervisors at the company office, the ability to access real-time updates and timely notifications. It eliminates bottlenecks and compresses cycle times.

geoAMPS, a technology company located in the Columbus, Ohio, area, was the first company to implement mobile technology within the land rights and infrastructure assets industry.

Mobile technology is creating new opportunities to make the process of acquiring and monitoring right of way go as smooth as possible. Web-based software provides right of way agents the most up-to-date information on individual parcels, through a project dashboard with access to a central repository for managing all land rights information within the scope of the project. It’s a paperless system that agents use in the field. It saves time and money.

rowAMPS, one of the suite of geoAMPS products, provides a centralized repository for managing land rights and infrastructure asset information. Right of way agents in the field have access to that central database through their mobile devices.

The ability to capture and upload information from the field helps to speed up right of way projects, including those related to development of renewable energy projects. With the ability to input information from any location and approve workflows through mobile devices, workers in the field can now accomplish much without reliance upon their office computer.

rowAMPS offers time-saving tools such as bulk document generation, bulk update, auto reminders, scheduled reports, and managing workflow. Whether the project involves developing a wind farm, solar panel field or geothermal facility, rowAMPS and its mobile technology capabilities can improve efficiency and reduce project costs.

geoAMPS also offers a detached platform that providers users the ability to edit, approve and complete assignments offline when an Internet connection is unavailable or unreliable. The new information is synchronized into the database once a reliable connection is restored.

Mobile technology provides many practical advantages to professionals on the front lines of right of way projects.

“This is the most valuable tool to me in the field,” said a Senior Right of Way Agent who utilized software developed by geoAMPS. “I can retrieve a landowner’s contact information in seconds without carrying my entire assigned tracts file box. I can take pictures of structures, land improvements and infrastructure items that may be of concern and sync them to their assigned tracts at the end of the day in minutes. I used to have to download from a camera, save to my hard drive and upload them to the server.

“I can also add notes to a landowner’s file in seconds. If I am on the road for several hours and have talked to five to eight landowners, I don’t have to remember what we talked about when I have to do my update. I have already made a note on my phone after the conversation was over and the notes can be synced by a press of a button.”

Prior to utilizing mobile technology, this agent faced the same hurdles as others in the profession. Special landowner requests and ingress-egress permissions were hand-written in a notebook. There were weekly meetings with other agents and the need for multiple Excel spreadsheets. An agent received a new assignment in a folder, and the agent emailed his supervisor to report if a parcel was acquired or an explanation of why not.

As any project planner or manager knows, the process of acquiring right of way can be time-consuming and somewhat chaotic. There were many possibilities for error. It can be a frustrating process for all concerned, including property owners.

Mobile technology revolutionizes right of way acquisition and tracking. It makes it possible to complete projects in less time and at a reduced cost.

Dan Liggett is Communications and Public Relations Manager for geoAMPS, located in Powell, near Columbus, Ohio. geoAMPS is a technology company that specializes in software solutions to manage land rights and infrastructure assets. For more information call 614-389-4871 or visit www.geoamps.com.