TLI Group adopts ArcGIS for Irish infrastructure work

TLI Group has implemented Esri's ArcGIS technology across its infrastructure projects in Ireland. The system is being used on work linked to the National Broadband Plan and the national smart metering rollout.

The mapping and data platform now supports operations across the Irish infrastructure contractor's power, renewable energy, smart energy services and telecommunications activities. Staff in the field and in offices use the same system, with mobile applications feeding live site data into web tools, dashboards and desktop software.

TLI Group uses the technology to locate poles and manage overhead power line upgrade work. Engineers also use it to plan and track trenching and ducting for grid connection routes serving wind and solar farms.

The deployment reflects a wider push among infrastructure groups to digitise field operations and reduce reliance on manual reporting. For companies managing dispersed assets and construction teams, location-based systems have become a common way to coordinate work and monitor progress.

A central element of TLI Group's use of the platform is a company-wide safety reporting system called Near-Miss, Good-Catch. Employees can submit reports on potential risks from mobile devices, while managers receive alerts and review trends through live dashboards.

TLI Group now captures and reviews multiple digital health and safety reports each week. The process is intended to improve visibility of recurring issues across projects spanning several disciplines and locations.

Paul Sweeney, GIS and Data Manager at TLI Group, outlined the company's approach to the rollout.

"ArcGIS gives us a lot of off-the-shelf functionality, as well as the flexibility to build the GIS services we need on a project-by-project basis. This is all without bespoke code or the need for a supplementary development budget. The platform gives our teams instant access to information both in the field and in the office, helping staff work more efficiently and make faster decisions. Having live data available through mobile apps means teams can instantly identify and quickly risk-assess any issues that arise. At TLI Group, safety is a core company value, and by making it easier for employees to report potential risks, the technology has had a positive impact on health and safety and helped us build a stronger safety culture across the organisation," Sweeney said.

The ArcGIS system is used by multiple teams across the company rather than a single department. This allows project information collected on site to move directly to office teams responsible for oversight, reporting and client updates.

Operational shift

For infrastructure businesses, one of the main challenges in digital adoption is linking office planning with changing conditions in the field. A shared mapping and reporting platform can reduce delays caused by separate data systems, paper-based workflows and manual handovers between teams.

In TLI Group's case, the technology is being applied across nationally significant programmes as well as routine network construction and maintenance work. That includes telecommunications buildouts and energy network projects tied to Ireland's electricity and renewables systems.

Esri Ireland said the implementation shows how location intelligence tools are being used beyond traditional mapping functions. It supplies geographic information systems to public and private sector organisations in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Jack French, Account Manager at Esri Ireland, said: "TLI Group's success demonstrates how organisations can modernise operations and manage increasingly complex projects more effectively using location intelligence. Since implementation, TLI Group has improved how information is collected and used across the organisation, streamlining processes and saving time and resources. Giving teams access to real-time data has created greater visibility across critical infrastructure projects, replacing manual and time-consuming tasks and freeing up employees to focus on core business activities. New agile and efficient processes have established flexible and scalable foundations for sustained business success as TLI Group continues to grow and evolve across the infrastructure industry."