Tag: #ireland

Jartoo – World’s First Carbon Nanotube Heated Blanket Review

A new kind of tech product has dropped in for review and it is the Jartoo Heated Blanket is a fusion of innovation, safety, and sustainability, designed for eco-conscious and tech-savvy consumers. It’s not just a heating solution—it’s a step toward smarter, healthier living.

What this offers users is much more than one might expect and even for me as I got a brief introduction to it but this Blanker offers far Infrared Heating, Promotes blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and overall wellness, with a 24V Low-Voltage System that eliminates electric shock risks, even with spills or pet damage.

It is also Eco-Friendly & Energy Efficient and Uses 60% less energy than traditional electric blankets and Machine Washable & Lightweight: Perfect for families and on-the-go use. All with Carbon Nanotube Technology and Delivers rapid, even heat without bulk or safety concerns.

The presentation is excellent and you get all you need in the box including cables a remote and a travel bag which is convenient, the remote has several controls on board and simple to pair up if not paired out of the box.

The blanket itself is luxurious so to speak with a soft feel all round, house in the blanket there is a button and charge port behind the zipper which is kept safe when not in use.

The button will change colour on your settings and this gets warm fairly fast from as little as 30 seconds so you will be warm in no time at all here.

Be it used as a blanket or snood you will feel relaxed and the soft material which is washable and the fabric is tough so this will last for many years use.

Not only all this but it saves you on your electricity bill which in Ireland is gone beyond a joke so this is an added bonus compared to other heated blankets on the market.

Check out the video review below for more and yes you see it in hand and me wearing it.

 

 

  • More Peace of Mind: The Jartoo nano heated blanket incorporates multiple advanced safety circuit protection technologies. Despite being powered by 120V-240V AC, it outputs only 24V—well below the 36V safety threshold, making it safer for both children and the elderly. Even in the event of localized damage, there is no risk of electric leakage, ensuring absolute safety protection.
  • More Energy-Efficient: Achieves far-infrared rapid heating in just 30s with a power consumption of only 70W—60% more energy-efficient than other heated throw blankets, saving approximately 1 kWh per day. Far-infrared technology delivers deeper, more soothing warmth for enhanced comfort and relaxation.
  • More Comfort without Wires: Ultra-soft nano heating material and 320gsm velvet fabric ensures the Jartoo electric throw blanket feels soft and perfectly conforms to your body, eliminating the stiffness and discomfort of wires. It is easy to carry, can be used on bed, sofa, office, and also great for outdoor traveling.
  • More Convenient to Clean: The innovative nano heating material, with a structural strength 100x that of steel, ensures exceptional durability. Unlike traditional heated shawl, it won’t get damaged during washing or drying, and even pets can hardly damage it. Clean and dry with confidence (recommended drying below 149°F).
  • More Practical: The portable electric blanket comes with a separate wireless remote to adjust 6 temperature levels (95°F-131°F) and 5 timer settings (2h intervals, up to 10h). You can also control the temperature directly using the buttons on the electric blanket.

Heated cushion for your pet review

BUY

Video

The Technology Powering Ireland’s Cold Storage Revolution: How Smart Cold Rooms Are Transforming Urban Food Operations

In Ireland’s fast-evolving food and beverage landscape, advanced cold storage technology is becoming essential for business continuity, food safety, and operational scalability. With rising demand for fresh, high-quality goods in urban centres like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick, cold room rentals—equipped with cutting-edge features—are experiencing a surge as businesses seek smarter, more adaptable solutions.

Whether it’s a craft brewery storing seasonal batches, a fine-dining restaurant prepping for the weekend rush, or a meal prep company scaling deliveries, today’s cold rooms offer consistent temperature control, remote monitoring, and energy efficiency—all in a compact and flexible format. More than just storage, they’re a technological asset driving growth and innovation across Ireland’s food sector.

Adapting to a Fast-Moving Market with Scalable Tech

Urban food and beverage businesses must respond quickly to seasonal shifts, new trends, and unpredictable customer demands. Cold room rentals now offer digitally managed, on-demand storage—enabling companies to expand capacity without costly infrastructure upgrades. This flexibility is critical in cities where space is limited and market conditions shift rapidly.

A deli in Dublin may need extra refrigeration during the holidays, while a Cork market stall might require temporary cold storage for a weekend festival. Modern rental options now feature smart thermostats, app-controlled access, and real-time usage analytics—empowering businesses to make informed decisions about stock and energy use.

Raising the Bar for Food Safety with Smart Monitoring

Meeting HSE and HACCP requirements is non-negotiable in the Irish food industry. Cold room rentals now integrate advanced safety technology, including remote temperature logging, automated alerts, and compliance-ready data reports. These features ensure perishable goods stay within safe temperature ranges—protecting both consumers and reputations.

Pop-up food vendors, mobile caterers, and event organizers benefit from the ability to monitor storage conditions in real time, even off-site. These tech-forward solutions reduce risk, simplify audits, and enhance traceability throughout the supply chain.

Supporting Hospitality’s Growth Through Flexible, High-Tech Storage

Ireland’s hospitality industry is thriving post-pandemic, with a wave of new openings in urban areas. For many of these establishments—operating on tight margins and in compact spaces—high-tech cold room rentals provide a critical advantage.

Hotels hosting large events can temporarily expand their refrigeration capacity. Rooftop bars in Dublin can keep drinks and garnishes chilled in mobile units featuring digital locking systems and optimized airflow technology. These innovations allow venues to deliver high-quality experiences without compromising efficiency or compliance.

Fueling Urban Food Startups with On-Demand Cold Chain Infrastructure

Food startups, artisan producers, and culinary tech ventures are reshaping Ireland’s food scene. But many face logistical challenges, particularly around cold storage. Renting smart cold rooms gives these entrepreneurs access to industrial-grade refrigeration—without the need for upfront investment or permanent facilities.

Startups operating from shared kitchens can rent nearby cold rooms with remote access and scheduling features, supporting B2B fulfillment, farmers’ markets, and local grocery partnerships. For these small producers, tech-enabled cold rooms are not just storage—they’re a launchpad for growth.

Keeping Events Cool with Mobile, Tech-Enabled Cold Rooms

Ireland’s event calendar is packed with festivals, weddings, and outdoor dining experiences. For caterers and mobile food operations, transporting and safely storing perishables is a challenge. Enter the mobile cold room rental—often GPS-tracked, app-monitored, and generator-compatible.

From multi-day festivals to exclusive private functions, these units can be deployed, scaled, and managed with minimal disruption. Remote diagnostics and automated alerts help ensure everything from gourmet dishes to chilled prosecco stays fresh, no matter the setting.

Tech-Driven Cold Storage Supports Sustainability and Reduces Waste

Modern cold rooms are increasingly built with energy efficiency in mind, using eco-friendly refrigerants and smart climate control systems. This not only reduces carbon footprint but also helps prevent food spoilage—a major contributor to waste in the sector.

Urban businesses can now manage inventory better, extend product shelf life, and optimize storage—all thanks to data-driven refrigeration technology. Cold room rentals help close the loop on sustainability, aligning with Ireland’s broader climate goals.

A Vital Backup Solution for Equipment Failure

When refrigeration equipment fails, businesses risk major losses. Fortunately, cold room rental services across Ireland can deliver high-tech units within hours—complete with cloud-based monitoring and backup power options. This rapid deployment minimizes downtime and ensures compliance, even during unexpected emergencies.

For businesses storing high volumes of perishables, this emergency tech solution has become a critical part of their risk management playbook.

Conclusion: Cold Room Rentals Are Ireland’s Smartest Cooling Solution

Cold room rentals are no longer just a temporary fix—they’re a strategic tech solution powering Ireland’s modern food economy. With features like digital monitoring, remote control, and sustainable operation, these cold rooms are enabling businesses to scale faster, reduce waste, and deliver better customer experiences.

As Ireland’s urban centres continue to grow, tech-enabled cold storage will remain at the heart of food safety, operational flexibility, and sustainable innovation. For a sector defined by freshness, quality, and rapid evolution, that’s a very cool advantage.

Climb Channel Solutions Ireland Partners with Quest Software to Strengthen Cyber Resilience and Data Empowerment

Climb Channel Solutions Ireland, the specialist technology distributor formerly known as DataSolutions, today announces a new partnership with Quest Software, a global leader in systems management, data protection, and security software.

Quest is a software solutions provider which is trusted by more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies. With an office in Cork and more than a quarter of a century of pedigree in Ireland, its offering spans platform migrations, cloud deployments, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), security, governance, data intelligence, database management, and solutions to ensure data is AI-ready.

Through this partnership, Climb Channel Solutions Ireland will offer Quest’s suite of security, data empowerment, and AI solutions to resellers. Quest’s ever-expanding portfolio is designed to help organisations manage, format, and cleanse data, enabling the seamless adoption of AI.

Climb Channel Solutions Ireland – which was recently recognised as Quest Distributor of the Year – and Quest will also focus on threat detection, backup and disaster recovery solutions and platforms. This includes Quest Security Guardian, an Active Directory (AD) security solution that significantly reduces the attack surface for enterprises and improves identity threat detection and response (ITDR).

As one of only two vendors in Ireland providing Active Directory Recovery, Quest is uniquely positioned to help organisations quickly and securely restore critical identity services, reinforcing its leadership in identity resilience.

Brian Davis, VP of Sales for the UK & Ireland, Climb Channel Solutions Ireland, said: “Given its 24/7 support services, technical certifications and expanding portfolio, Quest has the ability to transform, secure and drive impact for both resellers and end users. Ireland offers huge potential, and we look forward not only to solidifying our partnership but addressing challenges and powering success for enterprises.”

To support its partner network in Ireland, Quest will be rolling out several initiatives to help them identify and close new business opportunities. These include technical bootcamps, roundtables and an online training library. Alongside this, Quest also offers financial incentives to partners, such as rebates and referral fees.

Olivia Donnell, Global Distribution, Quest Software, added: “With an office in Cork and more than 25 years of experience in Ireland, our partnership with Climb Channel Solutions Ireland will allow us to further strengthen cybersecurity for Irish enterprises. By combining well-established products with new solutions, we can make enterprises ready now for the future—ensuring resilience, reliability, and readiness across data management, Microsoft migrations, and security.”

Irish Firms Embrace Responsible AI: Adoption of Guidelines Doubles in 12 Months

In the last 12 months, there has been a notable jump in the number of financial services firms in Ireland implementing guidelines to ensure the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). New research reveals that twice as many compliance experts as last year now report that their firm has adopted such measures.

This is according to the results of a new survey by Ireland’s professional body for compliance professionals, the Compliance Institute, which polled 144 compliance experts working primarily in Irish financial services organisations nationwide.

The survey, which examined trends around AI, found that this year, 16pc of compliance professionals said that an AI governance framework (an infrastructure with clear guidelines and standards to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly) was in place in their organisation – up from 7pc in 2024

However, the Compliance Institute survey also found that there has been a fall in the take-up of AI tools in the financial services sector over the last year, with the number of compliance professionals saying their organisation is actively trialling and/ or using AI tools falling from almost four in ten (37pc) in 2024 to just over one in four (26pc) in 2025. This suggests a more cautious approach towards the use of AI within organisations.

Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:

“AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has advanced at a pace few anticipated. While there are many benefits, including its ability to detect illnesses and diseases as well as weather patterns and extreme storms, its fast-growing capabilities and increasingly widespread use have raised concerns – such as privacy and misinformation issues, the potential of the technology to lead to job displacement, or even the risk of AI-altered images and videos disrupting the democratic process. While many believe AI should be embraced for the benefits it delivers, it is important too that AI is used in a safe and transparent way, and that the use and adoption of the technology is overseen so that harmful outcomes are prevented.

The increase in the number of financial services firms that have put guidelines in place to ensure AI is used responsibly in their organisation shows that there is a strong awareness in the sector of the risks of AI and a determination to ensure the technology is used responsibly.”

Groundbreaking Legislation

The Compliance Institute survey also found that three times as many compliance experts as last year are aware of the groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to tackle the risks of AI and ensure AI is used safely and transparently – the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.

Almost one in four (23pc) compliance professionals are familiar with the legislation today compared to only 7pc in 2024. However overall, awareness of the rules is still low with just over two-thirds (67pc) of compliance experts having either limited or no knowledge of the new legislation. The poll found there has been a substantial decrease in the number of experts with limited knowledge of the new rules – down from 58pc in 2024 to 29pc in 2023. However, almost three in ten (28pc) said they were not familiar with the legislation.

Mr Kavanagh added:

“It is important that there is strong regulation of AI and this is why the new EU AI Act is so important. This regulation should ensure that AI systems are designed, developed and deployed in an ethical and trustworthy manner and that the fundamental rights, health and safety of the individual are protected while promoting responsible innovation.

While our survey shows there’s been a notable increase in familiarity with the AI Act over the last year, it is worrying that only one in four (23pc) are familiar with the legislation and that almost three in ten are not. The reasons for this lack of familiarity could simply because many compliance experts work in smaller organisations or in a specialist area that doesn’t deal with AI.  All the same, given that the AI Act entered into force on August 1, 2024 and will for the most part be fully applicable across the EU on August 2, 2026, it is important that all compliance experts get up to speed with these new rules. Non-compliance with the Act’s provisions could result in hefty fines ranging from €7.5m to €35m depending on the severity of the infringement and the company’s size.”

Other headline findings to emerge from the Compliance Institute survey include:

  • Almost seven in ten (67pc) compliance professionals say their organisation is not adopting AI tech “so far” – an increase on the 60pc who said this was the case when a similar survey was conducted in 2024.
  • While numbers were small, more than twice as many compliance professionals as last year believe that their organisation will not be using AI tools in the near future (7pc versus 3pc).
  • The percentage of organisations actively developing AI frameworks has fallen from 24pc in 2024 to 17pc in 2025.
  • The number of organisations planning to develop AI frameworks remains stable (40pc in 2025 versus 39pc in 2024).
  • The percentage of organisations that have no plans to implement AI governance frameworks has largely remained the same over the last year (27pc in 2025 versus 30pc in 2024).

Mr Kavanagh concluded:

“The findings of our survey reflect a growing awareness and action on the governance of AI across the financial services sector, though progress is still in its early stages for many organisations.”

Scaling digital businesses in Ireland could create 14,000 high-value jobs, and contribute €1.8 billion annually to the economy

A report conducted by Implement Consulting Group and commissioned by Google examines a highly important group of companies termed ‘innovative digital businesses’. The research is being launched at a dedicated AI Summit taking place today at Google’s EMEA Headquarters in Dublin.

Delivered in partnership with Scale Ireland, the event aims to promote discussion around the opportunity of AI for Ireland’s indigenous tech start-up and scale-up companies. Innovative digital businesses are defined as businesses likely to have digital technology at their core and a scalable business model less than 30 years old. They fall into one of three categories; startups (2–49 employees), scaleups (50–500 employees), or grownups (over 500 employees).

The economic role of digital innovative businesses

Innovative digital businesses play an outsized role in the Irish economy, paying higher average wages than other businesses. While these businesses have accounted for 4% of private sector job growth since 2017, they have created fewer jobs in Ireland compared to other EU countries. In Denmark, for example these businesses account for 11% of new jobs, and in Sweden, they account for 13%.

The use of AI in innovative digital businesses

Innovative digital businesses are key to capturing the AI opportunity and closing Europe’s competitiveness gap. These businesses are 50% more likely to create radical innovations and play a crucial role in the early diffusion of new technologies, such as generative AI. These businesses develop new AI tools, in turn enabling businesses across sectors to benefit from the new technology.

The potential of scaling innovative digital businesses

Ireland has a strong ecosystem of innovative businesses, with 56 innovative digital businesses per 100,000 working-age adults compared to the EU average of 19. If Ireland can transform more startups into grownups, reaching the same relative levels as the three leading OECD countries, it could create 14,000 jobs and contribute €1.8 billion annually to the Irish economy.

James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said:

“It is essential businesses are supported in the adoption of AI. This includes tailored support for start-ups and scale-ups, but the foundation of all this is people – and the skills they bring to bear. My Department is acutely focused on Ireland’s future skills needs. This includes expanding digital upskilling and reskilling opportunities through initiatives like Springboard+, MicroCreds, apprenticeships, and others. Together, with the right capital, the right infrastructure, and most importantly, the right skills, Ireland is ready not just to adopt AI – but to lead in shaping it.”

Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland said:

“This is a transformative opportunity for Ireland to leverage AI to secure our position as a global leader in technology. To fully realise AI’s potential, Ireland should seek to enhance the conditions that support businesses to increase AI adoption and scale successfully. Google Ireland is committed to continuing its  role in supporting Ireland’s competitiveness in these crucial areas.”

Marina Fitzgerald, CEO of Scale Ireland added:

“Scale Ireland is hugely positive about the potential economic and societal benefits of AI, which is being deployed by the vast majority of our members. This report is very timely as it highlights the opportunity for Ireland to create a supportive environment so indigenous tech companies can leverage AI to drive innovation, economic growth and competitiveness. Put simply, we need to create the conditions to support, and match the global ambition of our founders.”

Report recommendations

The report sets out five areas of focus for Ireland to support the scaling of these businesses:

 

  1. Build an AI-empowered workforce by investing in skills and training systems, treating AI as a core component of the education system.

  2. Widening access to state-of-the-art AI tools, digital infrastructure and compute power.

  3. Invest in research and development by investing in long-term AI research and encourage private investment at a national and EU level.

  4. Risk-based regulation to provide clarity to developers, adopters and users.

  5. Capital: Unlock fragmented risk capital markets and increase the attractiveness of venture capital investment in the EU.

Report 

First Look – Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

The Redmi Note is a recently released device now on sale in Ireland in multiple stores and online and we have just got this in to check out over the next few weeks and look forward to seeing how it fairs out in the market.

With a good spec sheet this device promises to offer great features at a decent price and of course AI is one of the themes here as is with most smartphone makers now which has become jarring for some but each manufacturers take is different and you also get Google Gemini on board which most Android users are now more custom too.

With Redmi Note 14 Series, Xiaomi delivers a remarkable blend of powerful  performance, stunning photography, and robust durability, all designed to meet the  needs of modern life. From the high-resolution camera systems with advanced AI tools,  to the rugged dust and water-resistant design, powerful performance and long-lasting  battery, Redmi Note 14 Series sets a new standard in its category by bringing premium  features to a wider audience, offering exceptional value in every aspect.

We will be testing this out over the coming weeks so if there is any questions as always ask us on social or our YouTube

 

Features

Camera 200MP main camera
Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra
Carrier Unlocked for All Carriers
OS Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android
Cellular technology 5G
Storage & RAM 8GB + 256GB
Connectivity technologies Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC
Screen size 6.67 Inches
Battery 5110mAh (typ)
Charging 45W turbo charging

Buy 

Unboxing and first look

Digital investment in Ireland at risk due to data centre regulation

A seminar on Ireland’s energy future will discuss how regulation and infrastructural challenges in energy are negatively impacting economic growth in Ireland.

Taking place on Wednesday 2 April and hosted by Engineers Ireland’s Energy, Environment, and Climate Action Division, The Merging Energy Landscape – A Pivotal Shift in Industry to Address the Carbon Budget Challenge Seminar, will also highlight the challenges businesses face to reduce emissions, the pressure on industry to meet targets, and the impact on the environment and economy if we fall short.

Speakers at the seminar will include Ciara Ahern, senior lecturer of Building Engineering, TU Dublin and Peter Lantry, Managing Director, Ireland, Equinix a global data centre provider.

According to Ciara Ahern: “The future of smart buildings lies in their ability to act as flexible demand assets within our evolving energy systems. Yet, there is still a significant gap between where we are and where we need to be. This seminar will explore how emerging guidelines, scalable solutions, and digital infrastructure can enable buildings to participate in energy markets—reducing carbon emissions and enhancing grid resilience while facilitating greater penetration of renewable energy.”

Equinix owns 268 data centres globally, including four retail colocation facilities and 2 xScale facilities in Dublin. Peter Lantry will discuss the need for Ireland to address existing barriers to further digital investment if the country is to avoid missing crucial economic opportunities. “Ireland, especially Dublin, has successfully attracted digital services companies, including data centres, over the past 40 years. The challenge now is how to keep pace with other tech nations amid energy distribution and supply issues that have deterred data centre development, which impacts Ireland’s economy.”

Additional speakers at the seminar will include Conor Minogue, Senior Executive at IBEC discussing the business case for meeting climate action targets, and Heidi Duffy, Operations Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Iarnród Éireann, sharing insights on the challenges and solutions to the transition to sustainable public transport.

This event will take place in Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Tickets are available at www.engineersireland.ie or by following this link.

SolarSmart Wins Irish SFA Award for Transforming Solar Energy Accessibility & Powering Ireland’s Path to 1 Million Solar Rooftops.

SolarSmart Energy Ltd, Ireland’s only female-owned domestic and commercial solar company, has been awarded the Irish Small Firms Association (SFA) Services Award. This national recognition underscores SolarSmart’s impact in making solar power more accessible and financially viable for Irish homeowners, businesses, and farmers.

Empowering Solar Adoption in Ireland
Founded by Morgan Pierce in 2020, SolarSmart has rapidly become a leader in Ireland’s renewable energy sector. The company has installed over 1,200 solar PV systems, contributing nearly 7 Megawatts annually toward Ireland’s climate action goals. SolarSmart’s customer-centric approach, including up-front SEAI grants and hassle-free financing, has removed traditional barriers to solar adoption, making it easier and more affordable to transition to renewable energy.

“Winning this award is a huge honour and a reflection of our team’s dedication to delivering top-tier solar solutions with customer service at the core,” said Morgan Pierce, Founder and CEO of SolarSmart. “Our mission is to ensure that solar power is not just an environmental choice but also a financially smart one for every Irish household and business.”

Powering Ireland’s Electricity Demand & Driving a Renewable Future
Ireland’s electricity demand is set to rise by 45% over the next decade, fueled by increasing consumption from data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps. This growing energy demand underscores the urgent need for scalable, sustainable solutions.

At the same time, with a target of 1 million solar rooftops by 2030, equating to 2.5 gigawatts of capacity or 22% of all residential electricity demand, Ireland is currently far behind. Estimates suggest that only 100,000 homes have installed solar, leaving 900,000 more to be equipped in the next five years.

SolarSmart is leading the charge in closing this gap. By prioritising affordability, customer service, and sustainability, the company is enabling the transition to solar with ease. Committed to accelerating Ireland’s renewable future, SolarSmart aims to install 5,000 solar systems annually, ensuring that the country stays on track to meet its energy and climate commitments.

SolarSmart’s growth trajectory has been exceptional, more than doubling installations each year. Key business driver milestones include:

Up-Front SEAI Grant Processing: SolarSmart became one of the first solar companies in Ireland to credit the SEAI grant to customers immediately, eliminating the financial strain of waiting for reimbursements.
New Low-Interest Financing Option: Launched in partnership with Finance Ireland, allowing homeowners to install solar panels for a lower monthly cost than their expected energy savings.

The Team & 4-Day Workweek for Installation Group: A first in the Irish solar industry, ensuring work-life balance for staff who often travel long hours for installations. This initiative has resulted in zero employee attrition in 2024, a remarkable achievement in a sector struggling with workforce retention.

Customer-First Approach: With 86% of support tickets resolved within one business day and a 1-hour response time, SolarSmart sets the standard for aftercare in the solar industry.

About SolarSmart
A leading provider of photovoltaic (PV) solutions for homes, businesses, and farms across Ireland. Founded in 2020, the company has installed over 1,200 systems to date, contributing to Ireland’s renewable energy transition. SolarSmart offers innovative financing solutions and industry-leading customer service to make solar energy more accessible and cost-effective.

For more information, visit https://solarsmart.ie

Other solar power news

Esri Ireland accelerates national soil survey across 23,000km2 for Aurum Exploration

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announces that its digital mapping system enabled Aurum Exploration Services to accelerate the survey of soil samples across almost 23,000km2 in Ireland.

The extensive survey was carried out as part of the Tellus Programme. Led by Geological Survey Ireland and funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Tellus Programme aims to improve the future management of the environment by building a deeper knowledge of Ireland’s soil, rocks, and water.

Esri’s ArcGIS technology streamlined workflows for Aurum Exploration, enabling it to deliver the ambitious project in just over one year. The technology replaced the traditional paper-based survey process with innovative digital data capture. The paper-based process was time-consuming with a complex data collection method, taking the Tellus Programme team nine years to reach the halfway milestone on the project.

Using the technology, Aurum Exploration’s sampling teams were able to collect, record, and share real-time data on soil samples – ranging from location to land usage and soil characteristics – wherever they were working in the field. Apps could be used even when offline, which was vital for those working in remote locations. Team leaders were able to speedily assign tasks, manage daily workloads, and monitor the project’s progress, while programme managers could oversee the data collection process and share project metrics.

Health and safety were boosted for employees as each team’s location was visible in near real-time. The platform also facilitated rigorous quality control checks, greatly enhancing the accuracy and integrity of soil sample data. Moreover, reports could be generated on-demand, saving time for teams internally.

In turn, these efficiencies contributed to an estimated saving of 120 days per year, and a reduction in overall operational costs of around €40,000 annually for the project.

Judith Mather, Project Manager, Tellus Programme, Aurum Exploration said: “Having a robust and efficient digital system greatly assisted us to cover more ground in a shorter time, and oversight of the national programme really improved. ArcGIS Dashboards gave our directors and client an accurate and visual real-time overview of what was going on, on a national scale, which is what they needed. In addition, the improvement in data quality was a real testament to the success of ArcGIS applications.”

Schalk van Lill, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland said: “Our ArcGIS platform has been transformative for the Tellus Programme, and we were delighted to work closely with Aurum Exploration as the team delivered on this vital nationwide project. Reliable data was captured electronically out in the field, reducing the risk of human error and other data collection inconsistencies, even while working remotely. This also boosted productivity, streamlined operations, and improved collaboration among teams for Aurum Exploration. This important project is benefitting our environment now and into the future.”