Scopito Return on Investment is proven with real-world data. Not every value can be put into numbers, but this study shows measurable impact.
Benefits Beyond the ROI
The ROI calculations we discuss on this page focus only on direct time and cost savings. But there are several strategic advantages of using Scopito that don’t show up in those per-pole figures — and they’re often where the real long-term value lies.
These benefits are not included in the Scopito ROI numbers, but they add significant long-term value.
1. Data Safety
Secure storage ensures inspection records are never lost, misplaced, or corrupted. For utilities managing critical infrastructure, data integrity is as important as the inspection itself.
2. Visual Proof
Images and video provide undeniable evidence of asset condition. When budgets are reviewed or regulators ask questions, visual proof removes debate and accelerates decision-making.
3. Machine Learning Fault Detection
AI-assisted analysis reduces manual workload, highlights anomalies faster, and improves consistency. While not part of the baseline cost math, the compounding efficiency of automation drives ROI even higher over time.
4. Ease of Reporting
Structured, professional reporting replaces manual spreadsheets and disconnected documents. Reports can be shared instantly across departments — saving days of administrative overhead.
5. Cloud-Based Sharing
Inspection data is available anywhere, anytime. Utilities, service providers, and contractors can collaborate in real-time, instead of relying on local files or delayed email chains.
6. Historical Comparisons
Every inspection adds to a living archive. Comparing present conditions with past records highlights trends, enables predictive maintenance, and strengthens long-term planning.
7. Organized Data Storage
Instead of siloed folders and drives, Scopito organizes data in a structured platform that scales with the size of your network. That means faster retrieval, easier compliance, and confidence during audits.
The Bigger Picture
These benefits are part of the real-world outcomes our customers see. And this list is not limited to just these points. Every inspection program has its own context: regulatory needs, internal workflows, or customer-facing goals. Scopito adapts to each, unlocking value that doesn’t always fit neatly into a cost-per-pole calculation.
👉 In other words: the numbers prove ROI on paper. The “unaccounted for” benefits prove ROI in practice.
About the calculations.
This ROI data comes from a Proof of Concept project completed by Altitude Imaging for a U.S. electric cooperative.
The study compared two workflows:
- In-field analysis — A lineman reviewed the drone feed live during inspection and documented each pole.
and - Scopito post-flight analysis — The pilot captured imagery, uploaded it to Scopito, and analysis was completed afterward in the platform.
Costs were calculated using standard hourly rates for both drone service providers and linemen.
Results reflect this specific project and scenario — but the efficiency principles are widely applicable across large-scale distribution inspections.
The difference isn’t just time — it’s confidence. This is data we take into planning meetings.
Flight Efficiency: Cost per Pole Drops as Inspections Scale.
The cost of flying poles decreases as volume increases, especially when inspections are completed without requiring a lineman on-site.
Pilot & linemen costs are calculated from an industry average.
With lineman
| Number of poles | Hours spent | Price per pole |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 70 | $18.20 |
| 10,000 | 700 | $16.80 |
| 100,000 | 7,000 | $8.40 |
Without lineman
| Number of poles | Hours spent | Price per pole |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 50 | $13 |
| 10,000 | 500 | $12 |
| 100,000 | 5,000 | $6 |
Analysis Efficiency: Post-Flight Scopito Analysis Scales Better.
Scopito’s post-flight analysis grows more cost-efficient with scale,
while in-field lineman analysis remains fixed in cost. The decreasing price is a reflection of volume-discount.
| Number of poles | Lineman | Scopito |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $7.43 | $12 |
| 10,000 | $7.43 | $7 |
| 100,000 | $7.43 | $5.50 |
Total cost per pole.
Costs of flight & analysis.
| Number of poles | Pilot & Lineman | Pilot & Scopito |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $26.70 | $25.90 |
| 10,000 | $25.30 | $19.80 |
| 100,000 | $19.30 | $14 |
ROI with Scopito
1,000 poles | $800 | 2.99%
10,000 poles | $5,500 | 21.74%
100,000 poles | $53,000 | 27.46%
*After 10,000 poles, AI will assist in the fault detection which reduces analysis-cost further.
**Numbers reflect one specific project and may vary by inspection type and image volume.
Contact Scopito for a quote on your project.
The Background Behind the Data.
This Proof of Concept project began after an electric cooperative had mixed results with an earlier inspection program that delivered findings in Excel.
When Altitude Imaging and Scopito were brought in, the client was hesitant to use drones for distribution-line inspections. To prove the ROI, a 5-day experiment was designed to compare workflows.
The 5-Day Experiment
Day 1 – Pilot + 1 lineman reviewing feed & documenting
Result: 11.6 poles inspected/hour.
Day 2 – Pilot + 2 linemen (review + documentation split)
Result: 7.42 poles inspected/hour.
Day 3 – Pilot + lineman called in only for issues
Result: 16.5 poles inspected/hour.
Day 4 – Pilot alone, post-analysis in Scopito
Result: 18 poles inspected/hour.
Day 5 – Pilot alone, data uploaded for lineman post-analysis in Scopito
Result: 17.1 poles inspected/hour.
Key takeaway: Workflows using Scopito consistently achieved higher throughput (17–18 poles/hour) compared to lineman-heavy workflows (7–12 poles/hour).
3–5 photos were taken of each pole, with more detail added for serious issues, and documentation is more thorough.
To ensure fairness, the pilot was paid hourly (same as the linemen) instead of per-pole — making the cost-per-pole calculations directly comparable.
This proof-of-concept confirms that the Scopito ROI grows stronger as inspection programs scale.
The conclusion is clear: having the pilot complete the inspection and shifting analysis into Scopito post-flight proved far more cost-efficient for the client.[/passster]
Original case study by Ditte R. Lønstrup. Updated in 2025 by: Gayle Godkin, Scopito’s Marketing Representative, who specializes in the commercial drone inspection space and helps communicate the value of visual inspection data to infrastructure industries.
