What 2024 Taught Us About the Future of Utility Inspections

A Year in Review

Scopito’s 2024 was a year of transformation, where innovation and collaboration defined progress in utility inspections, setting the foundation for advancing utility inspection practices in 2025.

2024 brought significant advancements and challenges to the utility inspection industry. With advancements in AI-driven analytics, drone automation, and centralized data platforms, to collaborations that redefined operational workflows, the past year showcased the potential of technology and partnerships to elevate inspection practices. For Scopito, it was a year of significant growth, global collaboration, and key achievements that set the stage for 2025.

This article explores the milestones, partnerships, and best practices for utility inspections that shaped 2024, offering actionable insights for utilities and Drone Service Providers (DSPs) looking to optimize their operations.

2024—Adapting to an Evolving Industry Landscape

The utility inspection industry continued to embrace transformative technologies in 2024. These advancements have shaped some of the best practices for utility inspections, as AI analytics matured, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations expanded, and centralized data platforms became indispensable for utilities striving for efficiency and precision.

Reflection: Building on Strengths
In 2024, Scopito solidified its position as a leading platform for centralized data management and AI-driven analytics. This year saw us not only retain 100% of our enterprise clients—including longstanding partners, a testament to the platform’s reliability and value—but also onboarding new key accounts, such as Statnett, the operator of Norway’s national power grid. By leveraging Scopito’s data management platform, Statnett is now integrating centralized workflows with AI analytics, enabling proactive grid management and significantly reducing repair times.

This data-driven approach reflects the increasing demand for innovative, scalable inspection solutions, contributing to Scopito’s over 50% revenue growth in 2024.

Scaling Technology to Meet Industry Demands

Development Milestones: Meeting the Industry’s Needs
To support the growing needs of utilities and DSPs, Scopito doubled its developer team in 2024. This investment fueled platform innovations, such as integrating video-based inspection data. Through a strategic partnership with Ofil Systems Gridnostics, Scopito now supports UV-based corona discharge detection. This enhancement empowers utilities to identify critical faults with unprecedented clarity, ensuring timely maintenance and reducing the risk of outages.

Additionally, new partner collaborations such as FlytBase, a leader in drone automation software, brought automation to the forefront, integrating advanced flight operations with real-time data management. These advancements illustrate Scopito’s commitment to scalable solutions that align with real-world industry demands.

Confronting Challenges with Scalable Solutions
Adopting new technologies comes with challenges like cost concerns, training requirements, and regulatory compliance. Scopito addressed these hurdles by offering a stand-alone platform that integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. Its robust data analysis and reporting tools empower utilities and DSPs to make informed decisions, enhancing maintenance and operational efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity.

Global Presence and Industry Engagement

In 2024, Scopito’s commitment to innovation was on full display at major industry exhibitions and conferences across North America, Europe, and the UK. These events, including key gatherings like the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Cigre Technical Exhibition in Paris, and the International Drone Show in Denmark, provided invaluable opportunities to showcase Scopito’s cutting-edge solutions. They also allowed Scopito to connect with industry leaders, foster meaningful collaborations, and reinforce its role as a global thought leader in utility inspections.

Looking ahead to 2025, Scopito plans to expand its presence even further, bringing its expertise to new regions and participating in an even greater variety of industry events. From conferences in major cities to specialized expos, Scopito aims to bring its expertise to new regions, sharing advancements in inspection technology and driving the global conversation around the future of utility management.

Collaboration—A Best Practice for Utility Inspections

Reflection
Collaboration was central to the industry’s progress in 2024. Drone Manufacturers, Software Developers, and Drone Service Providers (DSPs) joined forces to tackle shared challenges, from streamlining operations to adopting new technologies. These partnerships demonstrated the power of teamwork in advancing inspection capabilities, promoting best practices for utility inspections, and addressing complex operational demands.

One standout collaboration is the new strategic partnership with XER Technologies. This relationship brings together XER’s cutting-edge drone systems and Scopito’s advanced data management platform to deliver unparalleled efficiency in utility inspections. By integrating drone technology optimized for rapid, precise inspections with Scopito’s centralized workflows and AI-driven analytics, this partnership sets a new standard for seamless and scalable inspection solutions.

Challenges
Adoption of new technologies often comes with hesitations: some utilities prefer to stick with traditional methods, while others are unsure about the technical complexity or cost of implementation. There’s a common perception that advanced tools might be too expensive or difficult to integrate into existing workflows.

However, utilizing technology, such as drones with high-definition sensors along with Scopito’s platform, provides a compelling counterpoint. By enabling safer working conditions, delivering faster results, and enhancing maintenance efficiency, these solutions demonstrate how technology can ultimately reduce costs and improve outcomes. The shift toward data-driven insights isn’t just about modernization—it’s about creating a sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking approach to utility management.

Best Practices for Building Collaborative Success
In any industry, successful collaboration comes down to streamlining data and communication. Using platforms that facilitate seamless workflows can bridge gaps between stakeholders, ensure alignment, and drive better outcomes. Scopito’s experience in 2024 highlights three essential practices for fostering collaboration:

1. Streamline Communication and Data Sharing:
   A centralized platform for data management ensures all parties have access to the same information in real-time, reducing delays and miscommunication.
2. Align Objectives Early:
   Establishing clear goals and success metrics at the outset of a partnership fosters trust and ensures all collaborators are working toward shared outcomes.
3. Leverage Complementary Strengths:
   Strong partnerships harness the unique capabilities of each contributor. For example, Scopito’s collaboration with XER Technologies combined state-of-the-art drone systems with Scopito’s advanced data analysis tools, delivering a seamless and efficient inspection workflow that benefits utilities and DSPs alike.

By adopting these practices, organizations can create a foundation for long-term success, driving innovation and delivering measurable results that benefit all stakeholders.

While collaboration is key to advancing the industry, resilience remains essential for navigating the unexpected challenges utilities face.

Best Practices for Building Resilience in Utility Inspections

The utility inspection industry faced significant challenges in 2024, including global disruptions, extreme weather events, and supply chain issues. These obstacles highlighted the critical need for resilience and adaptability in workflows and planning.

The Scopito solution offers a powerful way for utilities to prepare for and respond to such disruptions, aligning with the best practices for utility inspections. By centralizing inspection data and providing actionable insights, these tools enable organizations to prioritize repairs, streamline workflows, and maintain service continuity. This approach reduces downtime and supports operational resilience, helping utilities navigate unpredictable challenges more effectively.

Best Practices for Resilience
To build resilience and prepare for future uncertainties, utilities and DSPs can adopt the following strategies:

1. Develop Comprehensive Contingency Plans
   Having preemptive workflows and emergency response protocols in place ensures that teams can act quickly when disruptions occur.
2. Invest in Predictive Maintenance Tools
   Data-driven platforms, like Scopito, enable organizations to identify potential faults before they lead to failures. Proactive maintenance not only reduces downtime but also minimizes costs in the long run.
3. Implement Scalable Solutions
   Scalable technologies allow organizations to adapt to changing demands and resource availability without overhauling existing systems. Platforms that integrate seamlessly into current workflows make it easier to scale operations as needed.

By embracing these best practices, utilities and DSPs can position themselves to navigate unpredictable times with confidence, ensuring both operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion: Taking 2024 Into 2025

2024 was a progressive year for the utility inspection industry and for Scopito. From retaining 100% of Enterprise Clients to expanding the developer team by 100%, Scopito demonstrated its commitment to innovation and client success. Strategic partnerships with XER Technologies, Ofil Systems, and FlytBase propelled advancements in drone-based inspections, UV-based corona detection, and real-time data management.

As the Utilities Industry and Drone Service Providers (DSPs) continue to adapt to evolving challenges, Scopito remains at the forefront of enabling smarter workflows and data-driven decision-making. The lessons of 2024—embracing technology, fostering collaboration, and building resilience—serve as a foundation for progress in 2025 and beyond.

Looking ahead, Scopito’s focus will remain on delivering scalable solutions, driving impactful collaborations, and sharing expertise at industry conferences around the world. By providing the tools and insights needed to streamline maintenance and operations, Scopito is poised to shape the future of utility inspections and empower organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

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