Dronedesk
Replacing spreadsheets with streamlined workflows for high-volume infrastructure inspection
The Challenge: High Volume, High Friction
Founded in 2018, Drone Evolution provides inspection services for critical infrastructure across the UK: telecom masts, roof inspections, topographical surveys, and coal tip monitoring. Their operating model is simple and effective: a central planning team assigns flights to pilots, pilots execute and capture data, data flows back to the office for client delivery.
But with 100+ flights per month as standard, the manual processes were creating friction:
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Spreadsheet Planning: Flight planning was manual, time-consuming, and scattered across multiple files
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Pilot Time Drain: With six flights per day, pilots couldn't afford to spend time on admin
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Records Management: CAA compliance requires complete flight records, drone serial numbers, and audit trails
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Business Visibility: Outstanding work, pilot locations, and invoicing status needed constant manual tracking
The goal was simple: pilots get in the van, go to site, capture the data, and move on. The previous platform couldn't deliver that simplicity at scale.
The Operational Impact: What Dronedesk Delivers for High-Volume Operations
Central Office Command
One dashboard shows outstanding work, pilot locations for any given day, and completed flights ready for invoicing. No more hunting through spreadsheets or chasing pilots for updates. Business-critical visibility is immediate, enabling faster client delivery and accurate revenue tracking.
One-Click Field Planning
Pilots need to focus on flying, not paperwork. Dronedesk removes the friction:
- RAMS generated with a single click
- Map view showing required permissions instantly
- All data accessible in the field on any device
- Permission issues resolved on-site with all information at hand
Audit-Ready Compliance
Every flight logged, every drone tracked, every serial number recorded. When the CAA comes knocking, the complete audit trail is ready. No more worrying about where records are stored or whether documentation is complete.
When December 2022 brought over 200 flights, even leadership joined pilots in the field. Dronedesk's mobile usability proved critical for resolving a permission issue on Oxford Street with all necessary data immediately accessible.
Measurable Outcomes
Flights Per Month
Managed through centralized planning workflows
Peak Month Capacity
Scaled to handle double volume when required
RAMS Generation
Instant documentation for every flight
Headcount Avoided
No dedicated admin hire needed for records management
Survey & Inspection Use Cases
Infrastructure Inspection
- Telecommunications mast inspection
- Roof condition surveys
- Coal tip monitoring
- Building envelope assessment
Survey Operations
- Topographical surveys
- Site mapping and measurement
- Progress monitoring
- Asset documentation
Why High-Volume Survey Companies Choose Dronedesk
Built for Volume
When you're running 100+ flights monthly, every minute of admin friction compounds. Dronedesk eliminates the spreadsheets, centralizes the data, and keeps pilots focused on flying rather than paperwork.
Field-Ready Mobile Access
Problems happen on site, not in the office. With all flight data, permissions, and documentation accessible from any device, pilots can resolve issues immediately without calling back to base.
CAA Compliance Without the Overhead
Flight logs, drone records, serial numbers, audit trails. Everything the CAA requires is captured automatically and stored in one place, eliminating the need for dedicated compliance staff.
Responsive Support
When issues arise, they get resolved quickly. Drone Evolution has experienced fast, effective support that keeps operations running smoothly.
The Bottom Line
Drone Evolution has grown their inspection business to over 100 flights per month without drowning in admin. The central office has real-time visibility into operations, pilots spend their time flying instead of planning, and CAA compliance is built into every workflow.
For survey and inspection companies operating at volume, Dronedesk delivers the simplicity that makes scaling possible: pilots get in the van, go to site, capture the data, and move on. Everything else happens automatically.
