By Jesse Berst

Clevest, now in place at more than 100 utilities worldwide, automates almost any operation with tools such as automatic vehicle location, workforce management, and asset deployment and management. In Motion produces an in-vehicle communications system which can use virtually any technology - WiFi, cellular, public safety 700MHz, private radio, satellite - to communicate with the home office.

We can see a day, then, when field workers will be more like knowledge workers than glorified mechanics. They'll consult closely with the computer for all procedures and processes. And they'll be able to communicate in virtually any circumstance, even natural disaster, with a system that automatically searches out and connects with the best available pathway.

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Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.