What software do you currently use to create boring logs? Did you choose this software or does your company require you to use it? Does this software contain all of the features you need? What are the things you like and don’t like about this software? Would you like to log soil borings on tablet computers but need software to do that?
This section describes how boring log software has historically evolved to current industry practices. To learn about GroundLogs online boring log software, go to Software features.
Even if you were around when boring log software originated, you may not have considered why today there are so many different practices in our industry for preparing boring logs. These include the use of specialty licensed software, general software, field logging software, and web-based software services. Regardless of what point you are at in your career, you have the ability to influence the direction your company will take in geological logging and boring log preparation in the upcoming years.
Boring log software originated in the mid 1980s, concurrent with the introduction and growth of personal computers. The software was sold on a license basis for installation on personal computers and intended for desktop data entry of field notes. The providers of this original software are still in business today and continue to offer their software on a license basis, for installation on personal computers.
Following the introduction of boring log software to the geoconsulting industry, the range of practices for preparing boring logs has continued to diversify. These practices include use of:
- Specialty boring log software;
- Office suite software (e.g., Microsoft Excel and Word);
- Graphic design software (e.g., CorelDRAW); and
- Design and drafting software (e.g., AutoCAD).
In the geotechnical engineering consulting industry, specialty boring log software is typically used for preparing logs, while in the environmental consulting industry there is more variability in the software used to prepare logs. In those case where regulatory agencies have required that logs be prepared using certain software and templates, there has been greater consistency in the logs prepared by consultants for those regulatory agencies.
Field logging software originated in the early 2000s, soon after the introduction of personal digital assistant (PDA) devices. The software was sold on a license basis for installation on PDAs and intended for field logging in place of using paper logs. The providers of this original software are still in business today and continue to offer their software on a license basis, but for tablet computers.
Since the introduction of field logging software to the geoconsulting industry, numerous firms have attempted to implement electronic field logging, but with limited success. The most commonly cited shortcomings were:
- Limited screen size on PDA;
- Data is entered into a ‘black box’ and to log can’t be viewed; and
- Data entry is too inefficient and field personnel can’t keep up with the drillers.
Next generation boring log software originated in the late 2000s, concurrent with three global events: 1) the economic crisis, which caused companies to more closely scrutinize their software purchases; 2) the growing popularity of cloud computing for managing a company’s business processes; and 3) the arrival of a new generation of affordable mobile devices with connectivity to the cloud.
It was against this backdrop that GroundLogs conceived the first prototype for web-based boring log software that can be used for both field logging on tablet computers and data entry on desktop computers. This boring log software as a service was made commercially available to the market in mid-2012.
Click here to learn about GroundLogs online boring software features.