By Alexander Gittens, Sales Manager, Getac Utilities & Energy
The energy and utilities sector is currently grappling with a multitude of challenges. From the urgent push towards net-zero and decarbonisation to ageing infrastructure, to a shrinking skilled workforce, as well as the rising cost of energy, companies must build strategies to withstand these turbulent times. The sector is at a pivotal moment, with new UK government initiatives, like plans to move towards a new era of clean electricity, alongside regulatory reforms aiming to address the issues at hand. More widely, Europe has introduced The European Green Deal, with the ambitious goal of no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 20250. However, the scale and pressure of the challenges are substantial and must be approached proactively.
Meanwhile, the impact of climate change is also becoming more apparent with more frequent extreme weather events and rising power disruptions. These challenges not only impact customers but also place significant strain on frontline utility workers tasked with maintaining critical infrastructures. These power disruptions often require rapid, round-the-clock response, exposing workers to dangerous conditions and increasing the risk of accidents.
To respond, technology will be a fundamental tool to help reshape the role and experience of frontline utility workers. Utilities providers must become operationally resilient and go beyond reactive crisis response in times of extreme conditions and adopt a more pre-emptive stance, particularly when it comes to equipping field workforce with reliable, advanced technology.
Durable technology designed for the field
Reliable devices are essential for frontline workers to operate efficiently and withstand harsh conditions, which is one of the major hurdles across the sector. Without equipment designed for the right environments, workers can be left frustrated, therefore, rugged devices must meet practical usability needs. These devices must be able to withstand frequent drops, vibration and exposure to dust and water. This includes touchscreens that work with gloved hands, displays that remain readable in direct sunlight or heavy rain and compatibility with vehicle mounts for engineers constantly on the move.
Cybersecurity is another growing concern. With the increase in attacks targeting national infrastructure, it’s essential that frontline workers are equipped with devices offering robust endpoint protection as standard. So, by harnessing the right robust equipment, they can better do their jobs in a safe, secure and efficient way, ultimately improving the overall performance and functioning of the sector.
Technology built to endure
As demand continues to grow and expectations for reliability remain high, utility companies are under increasing pressure to minimise disruption and maintain operational efficiency, driving the need for advanced technologies. For example, thermographic inspections using thermal imaging can now enable early detection of potential faults in substations and power lines before they escalate. Additionally, smart sensors and IoT enabled monitoring systems are being deployed across the sector, to capture real time data and accelerate informed decision making. In this way, technologies are being used to transform the industry and foresee the challenges faced by workers across the utilities space.
The utilities sector is adopting mobile workforce management platforms, also known as Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM), as a vital tool to enhance dispatch efficiency, monitor asset conditions, and coordinate restoration efforts in real time, while also optimising scheduling and providing real-time alerts. These platforms improve visibility in the field and support forecasting and planning, not only improving productivity and lowering operational costs, but also assisting in safeguarding worker welfare during high-pressure scenarios. But the effectiveness of such software depends heavily on the resilience of the devices that support it. In mission-critical environments, there is zero tolerance for hardware failure. As such, devices must be consistently reliable and capable of operating in extreme and critical conditions.
Technology that helps organisations monitor and manage physical assets also plays a crucial role in developing resilience. This means battery status, security settings and software updates can all be tracked remotely, reducing the risk of service interruptions. In critical incidents, there’s simply no room for avoidable failures like GPS dropouts, unexpected reboots or hardware malfunctions.
Fortunately, rugged technologies with features such as hot-swappable batteries and integrated GPS can be leveraged to help ensure utility teams remain connected and productive, even in remote or compromised areas.
Balancing operational costs with sustainability
While technology investments often prioritise immediate operational gains, utility companies face the growing challenge of demonstrating long-term value, while justifying expenditure through the lens of both financial and environmental performance.
Rugged devices typically offer longer service lifespans than standard commercial devices, often lasting five years or more in field conditions. They are also designed for repairability, enabling the replacement of components such as batteries, ports and screens without needing to replace the entire unit. This reduces waste, lowers total cost of ownership, and aligns with broader sustainability and net-zero targets.
Thames Water provides a practical example of this approach. The company deployed rugged convertible laptops following extensive field testing, with battery life, durability and GPS performance cited as key factors. These devices have supported mobile workflows and contributed to reduced downtime, while also aligning with the organisation’s environmental performance standards.
Powering the country with resilient technology
Field technicians are vital frontline workers maintaining national infrastructure, critical to upholding the systems affecting the daily lives of residents. As the utilities sector across Europe evolves to accommodate net zero objectives and withstand extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change, it is imperative that utility organisations invest in technology that matches the resilience and expertise of their workforce. Selecting the most valuable technology must not be seen as an afterthought.
Dependable, purpose-built technology is key to the sector’s future. Rugged devices, with their ability to function reliably in tough conditions, support the people on the frontline who are working to deliver safer, more sustainable and resilient services. Investing in these tools isn’t just about operational performance, it’s about ensuring those who protect the country’s critical infrastructure are properly equipped to do their job.
