How to keep pole, manhole and field inventory with points, photos and layers
Field inventory looks simple, but without point names, layers, photos, notes and status it quickly becomes unusable.
Field takeaways
- Each asset type should use clear layers or classes.
- Point name, photo and note should stay in one record.
- Different assets may need different attributes.
- CSV and GeoJSON are useful for office GIS.
- MapLab Survey organizes inventory with photos and exports.
Data model first
Decide which fields you will fill for each asset before capturing the first point. Adding an attribute once two hundred records exist means going back to the field.
Stable identifiers
Every asset needs a unique code that does not change. That code is what allows the inventory to be updated in two years without duplicating records.
The photo is the condition
A picture of the pole or manhole documents its state on that date, which matters as much as the coordinate for maintenance planning.
Inventories need maintenance
An inventory that is never updated loses its value within two years. Decide who adds new assets and removes decommissioned ones, and make it part of the routine maintenance visit.
See it in action
MapLab Survey | Professional Mobile GIS, GPS Surveying & Land Measurement App
Visit the YouTube channel ->Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Can field inventory be collected by phone?
Yes.
How is a manhole recorded?
As a point with notes and photos.
Which format is useful for GIS?
GeoJSON and CSV.
How does MapLab Survey help?
It combines points, layers, photos and exports.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: GIS data collection · Photo coordinates · QGIS NetCAD AutoCAD export · MapLab Survey