Katapult Pro Pole — Attachments

Katapult Pro has emerged as a full-stack, cloud-based solution that digitizes, streamlines, and speeds up the entire pole attachment process, from initial data collection to final make-ready engineering. The Shift to Photo-Based Data Collection The foundation of Katapult Pro’s efficiency lies in its photo-based data collection methodology. Instead of requiring engineers to climb poles or use "hot sticks" in the field—processes that are slow and pose safety risks—field crews use two-person teams with high-resolution cameras to capture detailed photographs of poles, attachments, and spans. Measurable Photos: Katapult Pro uses photogrammetry to turn field photos into accurate measurements. Height sticks with known calibration targets are photographed, allowing engineers back in the office to measure attachments up to 50 feet with high precision. Defensible Data: Because the measurements are tied directly to photos, the data is highly defensible. When a pole owner disputes a clearance, the user can pull up the calibrated photo as evidence, preventing unnecessary and costly return trips to the field. Speed and Safety: This method allows crews to collect 100-200 poles per day, significantly higher than traditional methods, while keeping personnel safer by staying on the ground. Managing the Attachments Ecosystem Katapult Pro simplifies the messy world of joint use management by providing a centralized, collaborative platform. Through its "Attachments Portal," it allows for the submission, tracking, and management of attachment applications in compliance with FCC timelines. Real-Time Collaboration: All parties, including attachers, engineering contractors, and utility owners, can work from a single, live cloud database. This eliminates the "diverging data" problem where different teams work off outdated spreadsheets. Automated QC: The software includes automated quality control checks, helping teams identify missing information or data errors before they become issues in the review process. Virtual Rideouts: Disputes over make-ready requirements can often be resolved without driving to the site, thanks to the high-detail photos available to all stakeholders remotely. Make-Ready Engineering and Pole Loading Analysis A major component of Katapult Pro is its ability to facilitate "Make Ready Engineering" (MRE)—the process of ensuring there is enough space on a pole for new attachments, or that the pole can handle the new load. Real-Time Heatmaps: The platform offers a Make Ready Tool that creates visual heatmaps of simple, medium, and complex make-ready, allowing designers to see problem spots instantly. Integrated Pole Loading Analysis (PLA): Katapult Pro includes an integrated PLA engine, which provides real-time loading results as designers call make-ready, without needing to leave the platform. This ensures that proposed attachments comply with NESC requirements and pole owner distribution standards. Compatible Export Options: For utilities requiring specific software, Katapult Pro supports direct, automated exports to industry-standard tools like SPIDAcalc, O-Calc, and PoleForeman. Conclusion Katapult Pro has fundamentally transformed pole attachments from a slow, manual process into an organized, digital workflow. By prioritizing measurable, photo-based data, providing collaborative tools for application management, and integrating directly with pole loading analysis, the platform allows utilities and attachers to work faster, safer, and with greater accuracy. As broadband demand continues to grow, such innovative, full-stack solutions are crucial for building a resilient OSP infrastructure

The rain wasn’t just falling; it was hammering the windshield of Jordan’s truck like a drum. Inside, the humidity was stifling. Jordan, a senior outside plant engineer for a regional fiber provider, stared at the pole line stretching into the dark horizon. katapult pro pole attachments