Fibre optic networks — long-haul routes, metro rings, enterprise links and FTTH rollouts — are built by contractors working across many kilometres and thousands of homes. The work includes route surveys, permissions, trenching and ducting, cable laying, splicing, testing and documentation, followed by fault restoration and maintenance. Accurate field records are essential: a network without good splice records and as-built documentation is slow and expensive to maintain.
Route surveys and permissions
Surveys capture the route, crossings, existing utilities, chamber and pole locations, and permission requirements. GPS points and photos recorded on a mobile app produce reliable survey data and support permission applications.
Civil and cable laying progress
Trenching, ducting, chamber construction, aerial cabling and cable blowing are tracked per segment with daily quantities, photos and issues. Project managers see progress against plan and can manage subcontracted crews by segment.
Splicing records
Splice closures contain many fibres in many trays. Recording closure IDs, locations, tube and fibre colours, tray positions, splice losses and photos creates the splice records that maintenance teams depend on. Paper splice sheets are easily lost; digital records stay with the network.
Testing and acceptance
OTDR traces and power meter readings confirm link quality. Attaching test files and results to each link or segment provides evidence for acceptance by the network owner and a baseline for future fault-finding.
As-built documentation
As-built routes, chamber and joint locations, splice schedules and test results form the documentation handed to the network owner. Collecting them during construction — rather than reconstructing them afterwards — produces better documentation in less time.
FTTH installations
FTTH rollouts involve distribution points, drop cables and home installations at high volume. Tracking each home connection — drop installed, ONT installed, test passed, customer activated — and the technicians involved keeps rollouts on schedule and supports billing by unit.
Fault restoration
Fibre cuts and faults need fast restoration. Tickets with priority and SLA, crew dispatch, recorded steps (fault located, cable repaired, splices done, tests passed) and restoration times support SLA reporting and post-incident reviews.
Preventive maintenance
Route patrols, chamber inspections and periodic link tests identify risks — exposed cables, damaged chambers, nearby construction — before they cause outages.
A practical rollout
Start with segment-wise progress tracking and splicing records on new projects, then add test attachments and as-built compilation, followed by fault restoration and maintenance modules.
Common problems this software solves
- Lost or incomplete splice records.
- As-built documentation assembled late and inaccurately.
- No real-time view of route progress.
- Slow fault location without baseline tests.
- Difficulty managing many subcontracted crews.
KPIs to track
- Metres laid per day by crew.
- Splice loss within limits.
- Links accepted first time.
- Fault restoration time.
- FTTH connections completed per day.
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Managing materials on long routes
Fibre projects consume large quantities of ducts, cable drums, closures, chambers, poles and accessories spread across many sites. Tracking drums by ID and length — issued, laid, remaining and returned — and recording materials per segment prevents shortages and theft, and supports accurate billing to the network owner. Comparing planned and actual quantities per kilometre improves future estimates.
Working with network owners
Network owners usually require specific documentation formats, progress reports and acceptance procedures. Producing daily progress, segment completion and acceptance packs directly from field data saves contractors significant administrative effort and reduces disputes about progress and quality. Shared visibility — through reports or a portal — builds trust with the owner's project team.
Safety on route work
Trenching near roads, work in chambers, aerial work on poles and work near other utilities all carry risk. Pre-work safety checklists, traffic management records and permits captured on the app support safe practices and provide documentation if incidents are investigated.
Daily reporting from the field
Route projects move quickly and conditions change daily: permissions delayed, crossings harder than expected, materials short at a site. A short daily report from each crew — metres completed, issues, photos and materials used — captured on the app gives project managers a reliable picture each evening without phone calls. Patterns across days and crews reveal which segments are falling behind and why, so resources can be moved before deadlines are missed.
Frequently asked questions
Can splicing records be captured in the field?
Yes. Splice closures, fibre and tube colours, tray positions and splice losses can be recorded on the app with photos, building accurate splice records.
Can OTDR test files be attached?
Yes. Test files and reports can be attached to the link or route segment, forming part of the as-built documentation.
Can we track route progress in metres?
Yes. Trenching, ducting and cable laying progress can be recorded per segment, with daily quantities and photos.
Can fault restoration be tracked against SLAs?
Yes. Fibre cut and fault tickets have priorities and SLA timers, with restoration steps and times recorded.
Can subcontracted crews use the app?
Yes, with restricted access to their assigned segments and tasks.
Can GPS locations of closures and chambers be recorded?
Yes. GPS coordinates and photos of joints, chambers and poles are captured, helping future maintenance teams find them.
Can cable drums be tracked by length?
Yes. Each drum is tracked by ID with length issued, laid, remaining and returned, so material usage per segment is accurate and shortages are spotted early.
Can daily crew reports be submitted from the field?
Yes. Crews submit metres completed, issues, photos and materials used each day, giving project managers a reliable picture without phone calls.
Can safety checks be recorded before route work starts?
Yes. Pre-work safety checklists, traffic management arrangements and permits for chamber or pole work are captured on the app before crews begin, supporting safe practice and leaving a clear record if incidents are ever investigated.
