BPO in Drone Technology: Enhancing Operations and Maintenance

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Flying electronic toys. Mini-airplanes.

Believe it or not, drones have evolved from cool remote-controlled gadgets for hobbyists to crucial tools in different industries. People no longer use these air-based devices just to snap breathtaking aerial photos; they also optimize them for surveillance and disaster response. 

You may wonder, “What on earth do drone technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) have in common?”

As the title of this article suggests, these two fields collide due to operations and maintenance (O&M). Keep reading to learn more about BPO’s role in enhancing drone tech care.

Three Ways BPO Improves Drone Tech O&M

Fact.MR’s latest research shows customers spend approximately $200–$600 for drone repair and maintenance. On top of that, the organization states that UAVs need to change batteries every 10–20 cycles and propellers every 200 flights. The expenditure can also increase depending on a drone’s type and brand. 

Fortunately, BPO providers offer cost-effective access to expertise and advanced technology for drone O&M requirements. They help streamline this function and only require an hourly or monthly fee. 

Besides resource optimization and cost savings, third-party vendors enhance drone O&M in the following ways:

1. Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation

Support vendors use AI and automation technologies to seamlessly operate and maintain your drones at affordable costs. A 2022 IBM report revealed that 37% of respondents think AI can drive more efficient processes. They also use the solution to lower operating expenses. 

These cutting-edge technologies help boost a drone’s performance and prolong its life through the following:

• Machine learning (ML) for data analysis and predictive maintenance
• Computer vision for autonomous damage inspection and component monitoring
• Natural language processing (NLP) for accelerated customer service
• Robotic process automation (RPA) for faster data collection and analysis
• Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for condition tracking and issue detection
• Fleet management software for drone performance and route optimization
• Augmented reality (AR) for remote maintenance and repair support
• Deep learning for aerial imagery recognition and processing
• Automated reporting systems for insight generation regarding drone performance 

Suppose your logistics company operates a large fleet of delivery drones for express parcel services. You hire a service provider to maintain your devices and lower your expenses. It lets you achieve cost efficiency by optimizing AR technology for UAV O&M. 

Your BPO partner also uses AR to develop 3D visualizations of your fleet’s complex maintenance procedures and repair protocols. Third-party technicians then access these visual guides via AR-enabled tablets or smart glasses. 

This capability allows experts to view step-by-step instructions overlaid on the physical drone. The visual aid simplifies intricate repair tasks and minimizes human errors, avoiding the high cost of delayed shipments and lost customers.

2. Boost Predictive Maintenance

Enhancing predictive maintenance is what BPO contributes to improving drone tech O&M. This proactive approach involves tracking and identifying possible issues before they result in costly breakdowns. Third-party vendors boost this function through the enumerated measures:

• Manage drone telemetry data, sensor readings, flight logs, and maintenance records.
• Utilize drone data and AI solutions to pinpoint patterns of anomalies.
• Use predictive AI algorithms to assess drone performance and health.
• Optimize the forecast results to create drone maintenance schedules.
• Implement real-time monitoring and notification systems during drone missions.
• Keep an inventory of critical spare parts and components for replacement.
• Fine-tune predictive maintenance algorithms based on recurrent issues and trends.

Imagine you own a construction and infrastructure inspection company that uses a drone fleet to conduct site surveys, progress monitoring, and structural assessments. You partner with a BPO firm specializing in predictive maintenance to ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime. 

The provider helps you achieve this goal by integrating predictive analytics tools into your drones. These solutions automate the health examination of your UAV components, such as motors and navigation systems. 

The vendor also uses predictive algorithms to assess various parameters, including temperature fluctuations, vibration levels, and power consumption patterns. The findings help your in-house and third-party teams anticipate and address potential failures before they occur. 

As part of this innovative approach, the BPO company uses a condition-based alert system for your drone tech. The tool automatically notifies the maintenance team through a dedicated platform when the predictive analytics solution detects anomalies during drone operations. These real-time alerts prompt immediate action, preventing prolonged operational disruptions. 

3. Strengthen Drone Security and Compliance

Specialized expertise and automation in the BPO industry help the drone market strengthen security and compliance. Note that UAVs are prone to hacking during operations or at rest. 

Cybercriminals increasingly target drones since businesses often use them to collect critical data. However, these small aerial vehicles lack the security that bigger aircraft have. Hackers can easily hijack their unencrypted commands and control signals by decoding them with packet analyzers.

Fortunately, service providers implement cost-effective ways to safeguard drones while operating or maintaining them. They implement the following security and compliance measures to double or triple UAV protection:

• Execute robust data security methods. These include encryption techniques, secure data transfer protocols, and access controls. BPO companies apply such strategies to protect drone data and codes from unauthorized access.
• Apply secure communication techniques. This action helps safeguard data transmission between drones and ground control systems. Encrypting communication channels prevents data interception and theft.
• Establish strict physical security protocols. BPO firms use these measures to safeguard drone tech infrastructure, including storage facilities and control centers. They implement multifactor authentication and intrusion detection mechanisms to avoid unlicensed access to confidential data and equipment.
• Develop and implement incident response plans. These strategies outline the crucial steps for containing unexpected security incidents, such as data leaks and operational interruptions. This approach involves risk assessments, threat modeling activities, and vulnerability analyses. 
• Implement secure data handling procedures. These rules ensure the proper collection, storage, and disposal of sensitive information gathered during drone operations. These policies also help maintain compliance with data protection and privacy laws.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest drone-related guidelines. Support vendors can use these insights to provide expert guidance regarding your drone O&M. They assist your team in understanding airspace rules and regulations.
• Conduct regular audits. BPO vendors perform this activity to pinpoint any potential gaps in adhering to drone tech regulations. The assessment results determine the corrective actions they must take to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• Provide training and awareness programs. You can hire a service provider to train your in-house team on effective ways to operate and maintain your drones. BPO vendors employ experts with in-depth knowledge of the UAV industry. This service lets you equip your team with actionable learning without overspending. 

The Bottom Line

Drones have the potential to make or break your business. These small, remotely controlled aircraft can speed up aerial surveillance or delay your data collection if cyber incidents occur. Continuous interruptions may happen without proper O&M techniques.

Luckily, BPO providers are ready to assist in smoothly operating and maintaining your drone tech. They optimize advanced AI and automation tools to streamline O&M for your UAVs. They also implement critical measures to protect your drones from digital attacks and noncompliance issues.

Are you curious about how a BPO company can help your drone business achieve competitive advantages? Let’s connect and discuss your options for outsourcing. Unity Communications has a competent talent pool and modern technology to meet your drone O&M needs.