The typical implementation process for DroneDeploy software involves several key steps designed to ensure a smooth transition and effective utilization of the platform.
Account Creation: Users begin by creating an account on the DroneDeploy website. This step involves choosing a subscription plan that best fits their needs, whether for individual use, small businesses, or large enterprises.
Downloading the App: After setting up an account, users download the DroneDeploy app onto their mobile devices. This app serves as the primary interface for planning and executing drone missions.
Connecting the Drone: Users then connect their compatible drones to the DroneDeploy app. The platform supports a wide range of drones, particularly from major manufacturers like DJI, ensuring versatility and accessibility.
Planning Missions: With the app and drone connected, users can start planning their missions. The DroneDeploy Flight app allows for various types of flight plans, including mapping, photos, panoramas, and videos.
Capturing Data: During the mission, the drone captures data, which is then automatically uploaded to the DroneDeploy platform. The software supports high-accuracy mapping features such as RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic) for sub-inch accuracy.
Processing Data: Once the data is captured, it is processed into high-resolution maps, 3D models, and other formats. The platform's AI tools help in automating tedious tasks like counting and identifying objects, making the data analysis process more efficient.
Analyzing and Reporting: Users can analyze the processed data using DroneDeploy's robust suite of tools. The platform allows for detailed measurements, annotations, and the generation of comprehensive reports that can be shared with stakeholders.
Ongoing Support and Training: DroneDeploy offers continuous support through its technical support team, available 24 hours a day, five days a week. Additionally, users can access training resources through the DroneDeploy Academy to earn industry certifications and improve their skills.
The entire implementation process can vary in duration depending on the complexity of the user's needs and the scale of deployment. However, most users can expect to be fully operational within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Customisation
DroneDeploy software is highly customizable to fit specific business needs, offering several features and integrations that enhance its flexibility:
High-Accuracy Mapping: The platform supports instant RTK and PPK, along with custom coordinate systems, ensuring that users can achieve the precision required for their specific applications.
Automated Workflows: DroneDeploy automates various workflows, including data capture, processing, and reporting. This automation reduces manual effort and increases efficiency, making it easier to tailor the software to different industry requirements.
Integration with Existing Tools: The platform can be integrated with other tools and systems used by businesses, such as ProCore and BIM, facilitating seamless data flow and enhancing overall productivity.
Industry-Specific Reports: DroneDeploy offers the ability to generate custom reports tailored to specific industries, such as construction, agriculture, and energy. These reports can include detailed analyses like stockpile measurements, progress tracking, and thermal inspections.
Customizable Data Capture: Users can import data from a wide range of drones, ground robots, and 360 cameras. This flexibility allows businesses to use the hardware that best suits their needs while leveraging DroneDeploy's powerful data processing capabilities.
AI-Powered Insights: The platform's AI tools can be customized to perform specific tasks, such as counting objects or identifying issues, which can be particularly useful for industries like construction and agriculture where such tasks are common.
Additional Costs
Subscription Plans: DroneDeploy offers multiple pricing tiers, starting at $3,948 per year for the Individual plan, with higher-tier plans available for more advanced features and larger teams.
Setup Fees: There are no explicit setup fees mentioned, but users might incur costs related to integrating the software with existing systems or hardware.
Maintenance and Support: Maintenance is generally included in the subscription plans. Support varies by plan:
Individual Plan: Email and chat support.
Advanced Plan: Email and chat support with additional features.
Teams Plan: Email, chat, and call support.
Enterprise Plan: Comprehensive support including API access, Single Sign-On (SSO), drone operations management, and live streaming.
Training: Training resources are available through the DroneDeploy Academy, which offers industry certifications and skill improvement courses.
Training
DroneDeploy provides extensive training and support to ensure new users can effectively utilize the platform:
DroneDeploy Academy: Offers courses and certifications to help users become proficient in using the software.
Technical Support: Available 24 hours a day, five days a week, via email, chat, and phone, depending on the subscription plan.
Online Resources: A comprehensive knowledge base and community forums are available to help users troubleshoot issues and learn best practices.
Dedicated Support: For enterprise users, DroneDeploy offers dedicated support teams to assist with onboarding and ongoing use.
Security Measures
DroneDeploy takes data security seriously and has implemented several measures to protect user data:
Data Encryption: All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using the latest recommended ciphers and TLS encryption protocol.
Data Hosting: Data is hosted in AWS and Google Cloud data centers with robust physical security measures and access restrictions. Customers can also opt to store data in specific regions such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Identity and User Management: Features include Single Sign-On (SSO), two-factor authentication (2FA), and detailed roles and permissions to control data access.
Compliance: DroneDeploy complies with GDPR and has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, ensuring adherence to stringent security and privacy standards.
Penetration Testing: Annual network and system-level penetration tests are conducted by independent security specialists to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Audit Trails: Enterprise administrators can export audit logs detailing all primary interactions within the organization’s account, enhancing transparency and security
Updates
DroneDeploy regularly releases updates to improve its platform and introduce new features. Notable releases include April 2024, October 2023, and July 2023. Organizations can request early access to new features by contacting their Customer Success Manager. DroneDeploy offers automated setup services for certain features, and users can update the app through the Apple App Store. Communication and support are provided through product release blogs, webinars, and direct customer communication. Users can access detailed release notes and support articles in the DroneDeploy Help Center.
Data Ownership and Portability
Data Ownership:
User Content: Users retain ownership of the content they generate or post using DroneDeploy's services. This includes messages, reviews, videos, maps, models, folders, data, text, photographs, images, and data gathered by drones.
Intellectual Property: Using DroneDeploy's services does not grant users ownership of any intellectual property rights in the services or the content accessed through them, except for the user-generated content.
Data Portability:
Portability Rights: DroneDeploy provides data portability options, allowing users to easily transfer their personal data to another company. This ensures that users can move their data without significant barriers.
Data Export: Users can export their data from the DroneDeploy platform, facilitating the transfer of data to other systems or services as needed.
Scaling Up / Down
DroneDeploy is a drone service provider that offers flexible subscription plans to suit different organizational needs. These plans include Individual, Advanced, Teams, and Enterprise, allowing organizations to choose the plan that best suits their requirements. Each license is intended for one person only, with reasonable data creation limits. If usage exceeds typical levels, DroneDeploy may contact the user to discuss alternatives. If usage does not comply with the Fair Use Policy, DroneDeploy reserves the right to limit or terminate the account.
DroneDeploy provides professional services, including custom webinar trainings, full-day onsite trainings, and drone program consulting services. On-demand flights are available through DroneDeploy's verified network, allowing organizations to scale operations without significant upfront investment. Data processing and storage are handled exclusively within secure data centers located in South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia, complying with regional privacy regulations.
DroneDeploy provides comprehensive support, including email, chat, and call support, depending on the subscription plan. The company also offers extensive training resources through the DroneDeploy Academy, product webinars, and professional services, helping organizations train their teams and scale their drone programs effectively.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
DroneDeploy outlines specific terms and conditions for contract renewal and cancellation, ensuring transparency and flexibility for its users:
Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions automatically renew for additional periods equal to the expiring subscription term or one year (whichever is shorter), unless either party provides written notice (email acceptable) at least 30 days before the end of the current subscription term.
Cancellation: Users can change or cancel their subscriptions at any time from their account settings within DroneDeploy. Any changes, including cancellations, will be reflected at the end of the existing billing cycle.
Data Retention Post-Cancellation: Upon cancellation, users must export any data they wish to retain long-term. DroneDeploy retains user data for 90 days after the end of the prepaid term, during which users have basic access to their previously created 2D maps and 3D models. Advanced features and export capabilities are not available during this period. Subscribing to a paid plan within this 90-day window reactivates all maps and features, removing the expiry date from the maps.
Re-Pricing: Any renewal in which the subscription volume or length has decreased from the prior term will result in re-pricing at renewal without regard to the prior term’s per-unit pricing.
Compliance
DroneDeploy adheres to several high security and privacy standards to ensure the protection and integrity of user data:
ISO 27001 Certification: This internationally accepted security standard demonstrates DroneDeploy’s compliance with best practices in security and privacy. It covers the establishment, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of an information security management system (ISMS).
SOC 2 Type 2 Certification: This certification describes the design and operating effectiveness of DroneDeploy’s security controls over a period of time (audit period). It ensures that the company rigorously applies and adheres to established security standards without exceptions.
GDPR Compliance: DroneDeploy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information from individuals who live in the European Union (EU).
Privacy Shield Regulations: DroneDeploy adheres to the Privacy Shield framework, which provides guidelines for transferring personal data from the EU and Switzerland to the United States.