Field Professional Assistance

Johan,

You wrote: "I am looking for a system or software that would make it possible for a skilled person to assist a novice in the field by using something like Skype."

If it were me (as the boss or the Company) I would NEVER send a novice to the field alone.

If I were the Client and I found out you sent a novice, alone to one of my plants I would blow my stack! It might be the last project you ever did for my company.

You should only send the best and most experienced person to the field. You should NEVER send any person alone to the field. It is okay to include a novice in the team you send to the field.

Make sure the team leader has the experience to accomplish the required work safely. The team leader will be required to teach the novice so he or she can gain proper field experience.

Please read the article found here:

http://pipingdesigners.com/Training%20-%20Section%205.htm

Under ideal conditions, I totally agree with you.

On the other hand, I can easily understand conditions in remote locations where the repair choices are: 1. A novice without supervision, 2. A novice with remote expert supervision, 3. Wait until an expert can get there in xxx days (weeks...) or 4. We simply can't afford to repair it!

Under such circumstances, option 2 will commonly be the best choice.

I have successfully helped others solve problems quite a few times, using Skype and other remote assistance software (especially TeamViewer for computer problems). Using the helmet cam is an excellent idea. I see no reason not to take advantage of such help when it is the best available option,

I fully agree with you that a 'novice' should not be in the field but unfortunately here it is a fact of life.

Consider this, a person gets employed because of his culture, has the training but no skills and has to do the job. Chances are he will not be in the position for more than a year or two before he gets promoted or changes employer.

How do you get around this?

In the Government Department I worked, ten years ago, the level of experience was at least on average about 15 to 20 years. This has declined to less than three years experience.

What makes it worse is the fact that most of the employees may have the ability to be trained but are more concerned about job hopping than gaining experience.

I have retired at 65, was offered a contract to mentor five engineering graduates but could not get a single one to qualify as professional as they all went to other employers within that period. Not to mention that none of them went to any trouble to improve themselves.

I am trying to get a technical solution around a political problem, if that is all possible.

Thanks,

Johan.

I also understand and agree with your stance, but have found that this does not stop the real world from operating as it wants to. When I was younger I worked for several small companies that sent me into the field as an untrained novice. This was before easy Internet access or Smart Phones, so I was on my own and expected to "deal with it"; I could try to phone the office, but I couldn't count on getting any usable help. Often the customer was unaware and didn't seem to care much, unless his boss applied pressure.

After I'd gained experience I would sometimes take a new novice with me to "learn the ropes". I actually had more customers complain about us doing that than complain about being visited by a lone novice. They were concerned that they would have to pay for two people or for training with their equipment at risk. Of course I didn't allow either to happen but I understood their concerns.

Rather than berate the OP for the situation, I'm glad he's trying to make the best of a poor situation.

Sounds like a policy problem to me.....

Has management considered putting these employees under contract?

Or give them some incentive to stay put and actually improve themselves?

You can use Skype with smart phones. Why not mount a smart phone on a helmet?

Mr. Johan -

For whatever justifiable application reasons you may have, there are products that readily available and marketed as wireless security systems complete with high quality 2-way audio and video + recording capabilities that are internet connected for remote operations. Beside security applications, these products are also used for remote baby sitting needs, for monitoring infants while asleep or in their playpens.. The ones I've used are operated with a 5 Volts power supply via USB connectors, and therefore can easily be retrofitted to match your needs and working environment..

Good luck!

Depending on how remote, and the cell phone coverage, you might be able to get started with "Facetime" on an iPhone. Not very high tech, but if the bandwidth/coverage is there, it could be usable (and pretty simple and inexpensive to set up).

One final comment.

It will not make any difference what equipment you plan on using, if the Client/Plant manager does not accept you sending a novice into his plant you will not get in.

So the first question you have to answer is: What does the Client think of the plan?

I want to provide this service to 'the client'.

The client has to provide the service but is unable to due to lack of skilled personnel.

For this reason I want to provide a service to 'the client' to assist his unskilled labour to be able to provide a reasonable service.

I do not expect you to understand the dilemma but I hope that my answer brings the reality to you.

The question you actually wants to ask is what does the client's client think of the plan.

To be frank with you I don't think he thinks at all.

In South Africa reliable service delivery is the last thing on their minds, but the wheels must keep on turning and that is what I am trying to achieve.

Thanks for trying to understand.

Johan.

For whatever application needs you may have, there are products that readily available via internet around $100.00 that matches your needs. They are portable cameras equipped with 2-way audio communications and video recording capabilities useful for documentation needs. A good example is a company named "Lorex" - a company that carry several models you can choose from.. All you need to add is a battery pack, a headset for two way communications and an internet link...