When it comes to excavation, safeguarding underground utilities is critical.
Before breaking ground, it’s essential to identify and mark existing infrastructure to prevent accidental utility strikes, which could lead to service disruptions, expensive repairs, and serious safety risks.
Traditionally, contractors have depended on the 811 “Call Before You Dig” service to alert utility providers about upcoming digs. While compliance with 811 regulations remains mandatory, advancements in technology have introduced various tools and software solutions that streamline 811 ticket management, improving efficiency and safety for contractors.
The Advancement of 811 Ticket Management
The 811 system acts as a crucial bridge between excavators and utility operators.
Once a regional 811 service receives a dig notification, utility providers dispatch locators to mark underground lines at the excavation site. While effective, handling multiple tickets—especially for large-scale projects—can become overwhelming. To address this challenge, several software solutions have been developed to automate and simplify 811 ticket management.
When you need to excavate, ensuring the safety and integrity of underground utilities is paramount.
Cutting-Edge Tools for 811 Locates
811Assist
Developed by Josh Heller, 811Assist helps contractors manage all state-required 811 calls and locate tickets. The platform provides real-time visibility into ticket statuses for any project. Contractors can choose to handle ticket renewals and unresolved responses themselves or have 811Assist manage the entire process, acting as an intermediary between clients and the local 811 service. By centralizing records in a single system, 811Assist enhances efficiency and accountability.
811spotter
811spotter offers automated 811 ticket management tailored for contractors. Its core functionalities include:
- Efficiency – Eliminates manual data entry with full automation, managing all ticket-related activities, such as renewals, utility responses, and notifications.
- Visibility – Provides real-time ticket summaries, consolidating all ticket details into a single platform accessible via desktop and mobile applications.
This solution ensures that office and field teams remain aligned, minimizing miscommunication and reducing the likelihood of utility strikes.
SiteMap® (patent pending), powered by GPRS, is a facility & project management application that provides existing conditions documentation to protect your assets and people.
BOSS811
BOSS811 is a cloud-based One Call Ticket Management system designed for damage prevention. It is widely used by municipalities, utility providers, and contractors to enhance utility request processes, boost productivity, and reduce risk. Key features include:
- Auto-Clear Tickets – Automatically resolves tickets based on specific criteria, submitting the appropriate response code to the One Call Center without manual intervention.
- GIS Integration – Works seamlessly with GIS Mapping Software and ESRI products, supporting Keyhole Markup Languages (KML/KMZ) for advanced mapping capabilities.
- Driving Directions – Optimizes field operations by providing route guidance for locating tickets.
With these capabilities, BOSS811 improves the speed and accuracy of 811 ticket management.
Utilocate
Utilocate is an all-in-one damage prevention platform designed to streamline locate ticket management. It offers:
- Automated Responses – Ensures timely communication with 811 call centers, contractors, and utility companies.
- ESRI Mapping – Incorporates advanced decision-making tools and visualization features to enhance mapping accuracy.
- Data Collection – Enables photo and sketch documentation for thorough excavation site records.
By centralizing critical information, Utilocate simplifies and enhances the locate ticket management process.
GPRS is the nation’s largest professional private utility locating company. We’ve achieved and maintain a 99.8%+ accuracy rate when locating buried utilities, allowing us to compliment 811 services and the tools that support them.
How SiteMap® Enhances 811 Services
While contacting your local 811 One Call Center before digging is essential, hiring a professional private utility locating company ensures a complete and accurate mapping of underground utilities before excavation begins.
As the nation’s leading private utility locating company, GPRS maintains a 99.8%+ accuracy rate in identifying buried utilities, complementing 811 services and the tools that support them.
Using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locators, our SIM-certified Project Managers deliver precise, comprehensive data to help you stay on schedule, within budget, and, most importantly, safe. With SiteMap® (patent pending), our facility and project management application, your team has instant access to existing conditions documentation, protecting both your assets and personnel.
Click below to schedule your live, personal SiteMap® demo today!