Remote / Virtual Inspection Services

Benefits of Remote / Virtual Inspection

• Increases safety during this period of widespread health-related challenges.
• Reduces travel and per-diem expenses which reduce the inspection costs. It may also enable the customers to carry out more inspections / verifications or significantly reduce customers' CAPEX (Capital Expenditures) and OPEX (Operating Expenses).
• Shorter response time for completion of assignments.
• Greater scheduling flexibility.
• Access to technical expertise and domain knowledge from a world-wide pool of Inspection professionals is greatly simplified. With real-time or near real-time access, knowledgeable and experienced experts can be connected, via the Internet or mobile/cellular, to resolve on-site issues and plan corrective/preventive actions or to carry out training.
• Analytics can be performed on stored inspection data for improved decision making and audits.
• A knowledge base is created which can be used for training or applying AI techniques to further improve the process and systems and knowledge sharing among the team.
• Minimizes operational carbon footprint.
• Support business continuity by offering alternative and effective solutions for inspection and verification activities.

While there are many benefits to Remote / Virtual Inspection, it is ASR’s experience that not all inspection activities can be effectively carried out through Remote / Virtual Inspection. In some instances it may not effectively substitute or replace the knowledge and insight garnered and issues identified through on-physical on-site inspection activities.

ASR's Methodology for Remote / Virtual Inspection

ASR has developed an efficient and cost-effective process and methodology to perform Remote / Virtual Inspections, leveraging a mix of people, process, and technology.

ASR's process and methodology for performing remote / virtual inspections includes:

• ASR inspectors perform Remote Inspection / Verification activities using smart / handheld devices with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, such as iPhones or Android-based smartphones, iPads or Android-based tablets, or laptops with cameras.
• ASR inspectors use off-the-shelf and familiar secure audio/video communication software and services including Apple FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting, and Skype, that are widely available and familiar to both ASR inspectors and supplier points of contact. ASR ensures that the audio/video software / service chosen is securely configured and uses end-to-end encryption.
• ASR recommends use of a stand to hold the remote inspection smart device so that video is stabilized during the inspection at the supplier site, and coordinates with the supplier to ensure that good lighting is available in the inspection area to optimize video quality and ensure the video is clear and bright.
• ASR schedules a pre-remote inspection virtual meeting with the supplier point of contact to ensure that the supplier's team is experienced in properly using the remote inspection equipment / software so that inspection activities can be performed effectively and in accordance with the required schedule/timeframe and that supplier deliverables are identified. The inspection schedule and requirements for deliverables / documents, reports and records are identified.
• ASR coordinates with the supplier point of contact to ensure availability of the supplier's team, as applicable / required, during the duration of the remote inspection. Depending on the scope, multiple supplier team members may be required during remote inspections. ASR coordinates with the supplier to ensure that there is adequate lighting so that video is clear / bright.
• ASR coordinates with the supplier's team to ensure that remote inspection devices are ready, fully charged and have updated software required for the inspection. It may be necessary to have portable chargers for the devices as the device charge may not last the full inspection cycle.
• To ensure optimal audio/video communication and prevent delays in transfer time – Wi-Fi should be utilized for communicating with remote inspection smart devices. There may be areas where Wi-Fi is not available or the Wi-Fi signal is weak and therefore cellular connectivity should be available as a back-up.
• If allowed, audio and video of the inspection process may be recorded or photos / screenshots may be taken by the ASR inspector or provided by the supplier.
• To ensure that the remote inspection is performed in safe manner, ASR emphasizes to the supplier's team the importance of safety during remote inspections. For example, ASR reminds the supplier point of contact to watch where he/she is going/stepping while using remote inspection smart devices, and to be cautious of trip or fall hazards in the inspection environment.
• ASR orients the the supplier's point of contact to ensure there is a shared understanding of remote inspection hardware/software functionality and terminology, such as for camera movement – slowly pan or move the device right, left up or down, zoom in or out, etc.