by Brianna Crandall — September 30, 2020 — Global energy management and automation specialist Schneider Electric recently introduced Remote Expertise, a new services offer for electrical systems and power distribution systems that leverages innovative technologies including augmented reality (AR). Designed with critical infrastructure facilities such as healthcare, data centers and industrial facilities in mind, the new service avoids the risk of electrical equipment failure in critical power distribution systems.
Remote Expertise provides virtual technical and domain expertise support to customers without the need for a field service representative to be onsite, avoiding both the wait time and the current health risks of a technician visit. Augmented reality software, delivered via a cybersecure and platform-agnostic mobile application, gives customers access to experienced field technicians virtually while reducing downtime and costs for equipment diagnostics and assessment.
With Remote Expertise, field technicians can perform distribution system assessments and audits, deliver safety and compliance recommendations, report on at-risk or aging equipment, and provide basic corrective measures in real time. The innovative service easily provides a means of connecting with a customer to help troubleshoot their electrical distribution equipment, and can be delivered on-demand or as part of a yearly contract.
Jerome Soltani, senior vice president, US Services, Schneider Electric, pointed out:
Electrical distribution is the electricity backbone of any facility. As business continuity becomes paramount, organizations now need real-time and on-demand access to the digital tools and services that protect their equipment health and keep their operations running smoothly and at full capacity. As telehealth has done for medicine, we’re doing for power distribution — giving customers preliminary evaluations of their systems that can solve many everyday issues quickly and easily and provide faster time-to-resolution for more complex challenges. We believe augmented reality is a key part of the future of digital services.
The remote collaboration solution works on most mobile operating systems and platforms and enables quick and efficient troubleshooting of common challenges. In addition to efficiency and cost savings benefits, the new solution enables:
- Continuity of business: Maintenance and facility personnel receive real-time support, avoiding unnecessary downtime and costly outages.
- Faster operations and maintenance: Support is provided in less than an hour, giving near immediate access in the field. Technicians can diagnose issues virtually and give personnel screen annotations, screenshots and other notes in-app to aid understanding.
- Compliance with safety precautions: Remote capabilities provide access to field service representatives when being onsite is not a possibility due to health concerns, travel time or other restrictions.
- Analysis and reporting for future planning: Virtual diagnostics can reveal prioritization recommendations based on at-risk or obsolete equipment and preventive corrective actions.
Remote Expertise is now available via Schneider Electric’s Advantage Service Prime plans. Schneider Electric provides energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. The company combines energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.
