Click here to watch a video about the eCapure DigiPen.

e-Capture

The acquisition, transfer and analysis of data is at the heart of all information management systems. The value and quality of data degrades over time. Turriff has developed its e-Capture system to ensure that data captured on site is transmitted directly into its Information Management System (IMS2).

e-Capture uses digital pen (Digipen) technology. Operatives complete paper forms using the Digipen which writes like a normal ballpoint pen. The paper form carries a unique ‘watermark’ pattern. As the Digipen moves across the surface of the paper, a tiny camera in the head of the pen creates a digital image of what is written including a time and date stamp. Once a form is completed, the user ticks a SEND box and the data is automatically transmitted from the Digipen to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone which in turn transfers the data into IMS2. Photographs can also be taken and attached to the Digipen data.

e-Capture provides almost real time information. Manual input of data into back office systems is eliminated and Turriff’s experience of e-Capture to date indicates that data errors are virtually eliminated. Potential future developments include the simultaneous transfer of digital information from site direct to both Turriff and the customer. For example, data collected during a meter installation could be immediately available to the customer enabling quick and accurate billing.