To start, can you share a bit about your role at SAM and the career path that led to you joining the CartoVid team?
My career in utility consulting began in graduate school, where I created power outage models for Duke Energy. (Fun fact: I hold a Master of Science in both meteorology and GIS!) While I may not be forecasting anymore, my meteorology background taught me how to work efficiently with 4D datasets. This expertise allowed me to seamlessly transition into my current role managing CartoVid, a geospatial media application built on over 50 database tables.
For employees who may not work with the platform day to day, how would you describe what CartoVid is and what it helps our clients accomplish?
Whenever I describe CartoVid, I tell people to "Imagine YouTube with a map." This powerful application allows users to review imagery and videos while knowing exactly where the camera was pointed, complete with their related GIS layers. This is how we effectively bridge the gap between the field and the office.
The true power of CartoVid lies in data centralization: all your geospatial media lives in a single, secure platform. This not only eliminates the tedious hunt for a coworker's hard drive but also drastically simplifies data sharing across organizations. Our customers have leveraged CartoVid for a wide range of use cases, including tracking asset changes over time, streamlining pole replacement projects, performing comprehensive digital inspections, and assisting in complex legal cases. CartoVid doesn't just manage data—it empowers users and delivers immediate, tangible efficiency.
What types of projects or use cases are you currently supporting through CartoVid?
CartoVid supports a diverse portfolio of utility and infrastructure projects, primarily through two distinct data delivery models:
In both scenarios, the platform’s core utility is centralized sharing. Data uploaded to CartoVid can be shared with whomever the client deems appropriate. They can make the media accessible to all users within their organization or limit review access to select individuals for more sensitive or restricted projects, ensuring full control over data dissemination.
How does your work with CartoVid connect with other SAM service lines like Aerial Mapping, SUE, or Inspection?
Our strategic goal is for CartoVid to become the primary delivery mechanism for all SAM data.
The current methods—sending a static PDF or shipping a hard drive—are outdated. CartoVid, in contrast, offers a beautifully designed, proprietary platform that empowers the client to interact with and explore their own data. Currently, the SAM Inspect tool is limited to internal use. Integrating CartoVid will streamline our workflow: the inspector will complete the inspection within the same application the client uses to review the results.
By providing clients with this interactive, modern tool, we create a highly memorable and superior service experience. This positive recall is essential for strengthening client relationships and ultimately driving new business acquisition.
Want to learn more about CartoVid? Contact me directly – rachel.creed@sam.biz.