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Tackling Locating Challenges with Innovative Technology
In Louisiana and all throughout
the United States, locating comes with a unique set of challenges, including unpredictable volume which can outpace available resources; difficulties related to obtaining, training, and retaining skilled locators; a short window for required turnaround on locates; and large or complicated work areas. All of these challenges can lead to even bigger problems like locating delays. To address this, Louisiana 811 provides free, state-of-the-art software designed specifically for member utilities and locators. This
software is Locator Ticket Management, a ticket management portal that can be used to easily manage locate requests online and provide electronic positive response status back to excavators. It addresses the following solutions to today’s locating challenges.
Streamlined and customizable ticket management
Locator Ticket Management offers a streamlined portal, allowing member utilities and locators to use as few or
as many features as they’d like. They can also customize their view of the software. Just a few of the innovative features included in Locator Ticket Management include: assigning
locators to different tickets manually
or automatically; sorting your list of tickets by categories such as ticket type, location, status, or assigned locator; and running specialized reports on your district or locator activity.
Electronic positive response
Providing electronic positive response is another important piece in addressing today’s biggest locating challenges. Positive response allows member utilities and locators to communicate the status of a locate request directly
with the excavator. This full-circle communication increases clarity
and reduces the chance of a damage occurring by providing excavators with the additional information they need to work safely at the job site.
Mobile access to ticket management
In addition to being available online, Locator Ticket Management can be accessed through the Louisiana 811 mobile app, making it easier than ever for member utilities and locators to
notes or set up text alerts for emergency notifications. This free tool is intended to help address any locating challenges you’re facing in whatever way works best for you – if you have any questions about how Locator Ticket Management can best help you, please contact Shana Fleming, database administrator, directly at sfleming@occinc.com.
Getting set up to use Locator Ticket Management is free and easy. If this is something that your company
would be interested in utilizing, please contact Shana Fleming, database administrator, directly at sfleming@occinc.com or by phone at 225-275-3700 (ext. 443, option 9).
About the Louisiana 811 Operations Team
The operations team is responsible for all tickets filed through Louisiana 811. Please call 8-1-1 or 1-800-
272-3020 to be connected with a trained operator for questions regarding:
- Filing a locate request for underground or submerged utilities to be located, submitting a second request, or updating/canceling a ticket
- Filing an emergency ticket – please note that Louisiana 811 is available for emergency locate requests 24/7 online or by calling 8-1-1 or 1-800-272-3020
- Finding an existing ticket – this
can also be done online using our Ticket Search feature located under the “Locate Request” navigation tab on Louisiana811.com
- Any ISITE or NEXTGEN issues, or help with user ID (passwords, usernames)
LOCATOR TICKET MANAGEMENT
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manage and monitor locate requests or provide electronic positive response while out in the field. The Louisiana 811 app is available for free on both the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
New features for your current process
You might be thinking, “I’m interested in trying it, but not ready to make the full switch.” No problem ¬– Locator Ticket Management can be run jointly with any ticket receiving process
you may be currently using. You can continue to receive your tickets by email or fax and utilize Locator Ticket Management to view interactive maps, provide electronic positive response, and sort or organize your locate requests. You can also take advantage of useful features, like the ability to add internal and/or public attachments and