Table of Contents:
Introduction
A remote inspection is a type of inspection that is conducted virtually through digital or electronic means, rather than in-person. This allows inspectors to examine, evaluate, and document conditions from a remote location, using video conferencing, live streaming, or other types of communication tools.
Remote inspections are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in situations where physical access to the inspection site is difficult or impossible, or simply because it’s significantly more cost effective than visiting sites in-person.
Remote inspections can be conducted in a variety of ways, depending on the specific needs of the inspection. Most businesses typically start by using standard video conferencing tools as its generally the most accessible tool available. However, 360° inspections, or remote inspections conducted using 360° video capture is best when one must evaluate a space like a facility or factory floor.
What are 360° Inspections?
For the purposes of this discussion, we define 360° inspections as remote inspections conducted using 360° technology to create a real-time experience of a remote location.
360° inspections are currently used to conduct internal audits, supplier audits, facility walkthroughs, and much more.
Below are five reasons why 360° is better for remote inspections:
1. Larger Field-of-View
360° cameras provide a complete view of the facility by capturing the environment around it all at once. This is especially helpful when inspecting large areas like a warehouse or the factory floor. With a standard video conference, your view is significantly limited.
Take a remote supplier audit for example. With a 360° inspection, you can not only see the conditions of the equipment and facilities, but also get a better idea of the dynamism of the work environment, safety conditions, and more. This information is vital for making decisions about whether to do business with that supplier.
2. Improve accuracy and completeness of findings
The 360° field-of-view gives remote users complete visibility into what’s happening at the site. This ensures that auditors have the visibility they need to accurately and completely evaluate and document their findings.
With tools like Avatour, you also have the option to record the inspection in 360° to reference back to at a later time.
3. Complete transparency
In a remote inspection conducted via standard video conference, the on-site operator dictates where the cameras are facing and what’s in view. This fails to provide the transparency needed to conduct an effective inspection.
360° inspections gives remote users the power to direct their own view as if they were walking the floor in person.
4. More effective documentation and records
One of the biggest advantages to 360° inspections is the ability to record the entire process in 360°. We see it all too often when the picture or video needed after an inspection to review findings is often the one that wasn’t captured.
Recording the remote inspection process in 360° ensures nothing is missed, and it even offers a second look at the areas of the facility that the auditors may not have noticed as the inspection was going on. These recordings can then be stored and revisited in the future for training, knowledge share, progress tracking, and so on.
5. Improved safety
Typically, an in-person audit requires some level of disruption to day-to-day operations in order to ensure the safety of the auditors. Similarly, areas that require specialized access, such as cleanroom, can be inspected without risk.
Since 360° inspections can be conducted remotely, they are much safer than in-person inspections. There is no need to put yourself or your employees at risk by traveling to a potentially dangerous facility or location.
Conclusion
360° inspections offer many advantages over traditional video conferencing technologies when conducting remote inspections.
They provide better visibility, a higher degree of accuracy, improved transparency, more effective documentation, and improved safety.
About Avatour
Avatour brings team together on site, virtually.
The Avatour platform delivers a shared feeling of presence in a real-world location using live 360° video capture.
Interested in trying out Avatour? Schedule a demo or contact us directly with any questions you may have.