The Challenge
Before adopting Irth’s 811spotter, ChargeEPC managed its 811 tickets through a series of disconnected tools.
The company initially relied on FileMaker, a customized database that required one person to manually oversee all tickets company-wide. When ChargeEPC changed project management systems, that capability disappeared, and the team turned to Smartsheet as a temporary fix.
While Smartsheet offered centralization, it demanded constant manual oversight and left room for human error.
“It was imperfect, and things got missed,” said Alec. “Tickets were being renewed for months, even years, after the job was closed.”
The result was inefficiency, unnecessary liability, and thousands of “zombie” tickets that remained open long after work ended. By early 2025, ticket volume had become unmanageable, and leadership began searching for a platform designed for contractors rather than forcing general-purpose software to fit the job.
The Solution
When frustrations with Smartsheet peaked, ChargeEPC adopted Irth’s 811spotter, software purpose-built for contractors who dig. Alec’s team led the rollout across both field and office operations, focusing on ease of use and rapid adoption.
When frustrations with Smartsheet peaked, ChargeEPC adopted Irth’s 811spotter, software purpose-built for contractors who dig. Alec’s team led the rollout across both field and office operations, focusing on ease of use and rapid adoption.
“We saw one of the fastest adoption rates of any software we’ve ever implemented, especially in the field,” said Alec.
Several field techs echoed the praise:
“Everyone loves the app and its capabilities to say the least,” said Dan H., superintendent.
Austin P., foreman, said, “811spotter is a home run!”
How Irth’s 811spotter Transformed Ticket Management
- Centralized visibility: Every 811 ticket is linked directly to its corresponding job record, ensuring closed projects automatically trigger ticket closures.
- Automated control: Renewals and positive response tracking occur in real time, preventing oversights.
- Field empowerment: Crews use the mobile app daily to view active tickets, see surrounding work zones on the map, and confirm safety before digging.
- Clear risk indicators: Red-yellow-green visual cues show the status of utility responses, giving workers instant clarity on when it’s safe to proceed.
“It has a really great user interface where the ticket they’re working on is geolocated and visible on the map. That visibility is crucial for those in the field,” Alec said.
Field teams also validated the benefits:
“I like it — easy and fast accessibility to any job at any location and utility owner contacts,” said Angel R., foreman.
“Easy to use and a good way to verify positive confirmation on utility owners’ responses,” said Trent R., foreman.
“Nice to have digital access for tickets,” said Daniel L., foreman.
Adoption was nearly immediate. Within weeks, every department wanted access. Field crews gained independence, office staff spent less time managing renewals, and leadership gained real-time visibility across states and projects.
The Results
The impact was swift and measurable. After migrating existing data into Irth’s 811spotter, ChargeEPC uncovered nearly 2,000 active tickets in its system — many tied to long-completed projects. Within days, that number was cut in half.
“We eliminated hundreds of unnecessary tickets right away,” Alec said. “That’s not just efficiency — it’s reducing risk for us, for locators, and for the communities we serve.”
Operational and Cultural Impact
- 50% reduction in open tickets within the first week
- Faster project starts thanks to real-time positive response visibility
- Improved accuracy with automated ticket closures linked to job completion
- Empowered field crews who no longer rely on office staff for updates
- Reduced liability through instant color-coded safety indicators
“811spotter gives us the visibility and control we always needed but never had,” Alec said. “We’re finally confident that our ticket system reflects the reality on the ground. It’s pretty inexpensive in the grand scheme of things and a high-valueadd.”
What once required manual tracking and endless renewals is now a transparent, automated process that unites field and office teams under one source of truth.
ChargeEPC’s success proves that when contractors have a clear view of their operations, they gain more than efficiency — they gain control.
