It’s no secret that over the last few years the alternative energy industry has faced challenges. From new and developing technologies, special interest groups and government feuding, there have been tense moments during which the future of the industry seemed uncertain. This past week, though, another tally was added to the win column of the industry's scorecard as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Production Tax Credit (PTC) were both extended as part of the $1.8 trillion package sent to President Obama's desk for signature.

Each year the geoAMPS team takes part in the Central Ohio Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program, bringing the spirit of Christmas to those less fortunate by giving generously to an area family in need. The geoAMPS team donated gifts to make the Christmas season brighter for

geoAMPS is helping raise money as a sponsor of the Columbus Dodgeball Tournament. The Columbus Dodgeball Tournament is supporting the International Justice Mission (IJM), a human right agency dedicated to making freedom possible for children and families around the world. The funds raised will support IJM’s efforts to free individuals and families held in slavery, children forced into prostitution and others trapped in violent injustice around the world.

Increasing responsiveness and maximizing resources are important factors in how alternative energy companies improve their business in today’s data-driven, performance-based markets. The ability to deliver projects on time and within budget is one measure of that performance. Another is how efficiently operations and maintenance are managed and achieved. The effective delivery and maintenance of property and assets are fundamental to achieving a company’s objectives in any project that involves real land assets and property stakeholders. A well designed and implemented land asset and royalty management system can substantially improve these capabilities. Major benefits of an alternative energy management system can be found throughout the lifecycleof a project.This blog will briefly review the benefits that an alternative energy management system will achieve when implemented properly.

Congested right of ways complicate completion of infrastructure projects. Utility and telecommunications systems, and water and sewer lines are examples of existing infrastructure that can create nightmares for transportation project engineers. Historically, the lack of good records and technology has been the contributor to timeline overruns, accidents and, in some cases, loss of life when dealing with subsurface obstructions. To counter these dangers, the rise and adoption of subsurface utility engineering (SUE) makes projects safer, especially when paired with the conflict matrix. Absent of taking these steps, critical issues would not be addressed before the first shovels hit the ground.

When it comes to keeping the power flowing, challenges emerge from every direction. Limbs falling onto lines, vehicles hitting poles, or strong winds disrupting service to a neighborhood are only a small sample of the things that can call our crews out to restore power. Mounting a new pole, removing the limb or installing a new power line are usually simple challenges. Linemen are professionals and have the experience needed to complete the job. What I have seen, though, as a regular challenge throughout the industry is that accessing information about the infrastructure and real estate property management. There are solutions that are on the market thought to handle this test, providing field agents with on-the-go access to real estate management information that they need while in the field. Not only that, but other information from infrastructure to payments can also be accessed remotely from wireless devices like smart pads and smart phones. The industry’s reliance upon mobile technology continues to grow especially as real estate management and right of way management software solutions continue to advance. Here are five benefits mobile technology provide when dealing with real estate management in the field:

Last week a colleague here at geoAMPS wrote that, “right of way software is a game changer.” In the tough world of acquiring and managing land rights and infrastructure, he is absolutely right. For proof, just look at the competition, especially those who have embraced technology and all that it can do for their organization.  If you’re working with paper and pencil and have not yet implemented a technology solution in your right of way toolkit, then I would like to offer the following points for your consideration. You may even be able to take this list back to your boss and convince him that technology in today’s rough-‘n’-tumble acquisition game is what you need to give your organization the edge.

Research conducted by Raymond R. Panko, professor of IT management at the University of Hawaii, found that bad math runs rampant in the world's spreadsheets. In fact, 88% of spreadsheets contain math errors, which in the right situations can radically corrupt the end data. According to Microsoft, over 1 billion people have access to a spreadsheet tool like Excel. That’s great when you consider how powerful the software is in the right hands, providing a wealth of information and performing such calculations as family budgets, business expenses and other payments in a convenient package. Panko warns, however, that hiding in these spreadsheets, unbeknownst to the spreadsheet user, are critical errors of mathematics.

A recent report commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association of Realtors found that homes with access to public transit weather downturns in the economy better that those without. With Americans preferring to live in more traditional neighborhood communities, a new generation of homebuyers is willing to spend more to gain access to employment, groceries, housing and shopping that is within walking distance.  Around the United States, hundreds of light rail projects are planned or under way, and there are many more public works projects in various stages of development intended to improve basic service. This is due in part to the public’s desire to live in urban environments where amenities outside of the home and office are easily accessed without the need for an automobile. Today the public is trading large homes in rural areas for the close-knit communities our grandparents would recognize closer in urban areas. 

If you work in right of way and deal with land rights, or asset management, you understand the difficulties that outdated technology can create. With ever more complicated projects, the acquisition of land rights and the management of infrastructure assets have become a daunting challenge. Today, tracking title documents, contact information, negotiation notes, payment obligations, and all of the paperwork associated with the successful competition of a project can overwhelm traditional management tools. With technology advancements in Web-based computing, global information systems (GIS) and mobile applications, there are abundant opportunities to increase an organization’s efficiency. Seizing these opportunities can dramatically increase the profitability of projects and the speed of completion.