The introduction of Flir's i65 thermal imaging camera, paired with Condoit's cloud-based electrical data platform, has revolutionized asset monitoring at Blackmon Power, a Charlotte-based testing company. By streamlining processes, the company has drastically reduced report generation times from 8-12 hours to under five minutes. This shift facilitates quicker workflows, minimizes errors, and promotes more informed decision-making.
Transition from Manual to Automated Reporting
Previously, Blackmon Power's technicians engaged in a labor-intensive process involving the capture of thermal images, storage on SD cards, data transfer to spreadsheets, and manual report preparations. "The biggest time constraint was always back-end reporting," said Tyler Grant, Project Manager at Blackmon Power. The traditional method could result in a small 10-15 component inspection taking up to two hours, with larger jobs sometimes needing a full day, consuming a significant portion of project time.
Revolutionizing Asset Inspection
The breakthrough emerged through integrating Flir's groundbreaking i65 camera with Condoit's platform. This combination offers infrared imaging with smartphone-like capabilities, automated single-line diagram generation, and maintenance workflows aligned with NFPA 70B standards. Real-time data capture and immediate cloud synchronization eliminate the need for spreadsheets and manual uploads.
Practical Application at T5 Data Centers
At the Kings Mountain Data Center Campus operated by T5 Data Centers, Blackmon Power tested this new workflow on the 60 MW facility. Technicians used the i65 to scan electrical distribution assets, promptly identifying temperature anomalies that indicate potential issues. Each scan requires only 15-20 seconds, with automatic cloud data uploads, slashing reporting time to near zero.
Boosting Efficiency Across Multiple Facilities
Tyler emphasizes the transformative nature of the i65 and Condoit app: "I've been doing this job for over a decade, and it’s never been this easy. Reporting has moved from the office to the field. What used to take us 12 hours now takes five minutes." Furthermore, Condoit's wireless integration with most Flir cameras enables double the speed of traditional workflows, facilitating real-time collaboration between field teams and office engineers.
Addressing Industry Challenges
With a reported shortage of skilled thermographers, affecting nearly 60% of inspection teams, the platform's guided workflows empower less experienced technicians to conduct expert-level inspections. Additionally, Blackmon Power can now collect baseline data for all components without imposing extra costs on clients. "Before, collecting non-problematic data was too expensive for most clients," Tyler remarks. "Now, it’s simple and fast, and because field technicians can input data in real time, errors have dropped dramatically."
Establishing New Industry Standards
The comprehensive Flir i65/Condoit platform does more than expedite operations; it also enhances data accuracy and transparency. By offering customer portals, it sets a new benchmark in reporting quality. As Tyler summarizes, "The Flir i65/Condoit platform puts our team light years ahead of the competition. It’s cleaner, faster, and better for our customers, with great reporting on the back end. What’s more, with the i65 we don’t need a separate smartphone or digital camera. This is going to change our business for years to come."
Charlotte-based testing company slashes reporting times from 12 hours to five minutes with a connected, cloud-first workflow.
By combining FLIR’s new i65 thermal imaging camera with the Condoit electrical data platform, the company has overhauled its asset monitoring and reporting process – cutting turnaround times from 8-12 hours to less than five minutes. The result: faster workflows, fewer errors, and smarter decision-making for customers.
Manually generating reports
Until recently, Blackmon Power’s technicians followed the same time-consuming process familiar to many in the industry: capture thermal images, store them on SD cards, transfer the data to spreadsheets back at the office, and manually generate reports.
“The biggest time constraint was always back-end reporting,” recalls Tyler Grant, Project Manager at Blackmon Power, adding “We knew that a more advanced thermal camera and data app could save time and money – for both us and our customers.”
A small 10-15 component inspection typically took two hours to report. Larger jobs could demand an entire workday. For some projects, reporting alone consumed up to 30% of total job time, cutting into margins and slowing response times.
Slowing response times
The solution came in the form of Flir’s i65, a next-generation thermal camera from the iXX-Series
The solution came in the form of Flir’s i65, a next-generation thermal camera from the iXX-Series, and Condoit, a cloud-based electrical data platform.
The i65 pairs infrared imaging with smartphone-like functionality, while Condoit offers automatic single-line diagram generation, NFPA 70B-aligned maintenance workflows, and a customer visibility portal.
Together, they enable real-time data capture, instant cloud sync, and automated reporting – a far cry from spreadsheets and manual uploads.
Electrical distribution assets
Blackmon Power put the new workflow to the test at the Kings Mountain Data Center Campus for T5 Data Centers, a flagship 60 MW facility billed as Carolina’s only “FOREVER ON” data center. The Phase I delivery of the new project is scheduled for 2026.
Technicians scanned electrical distribution assets using the i65, identifying temperature anomalies that could signal loose connections or faulty equipment. Each scan took just 15-20 seconds, with data uploaded automatically to the cloud.
Previously, reporting might take half a technician’s time. Now, with the Flir–Condoit platform, that figure drops close to zero.
Managing multiple facilities
“Using the i65 and Condoit app is a total gamechanger,” Tyler says. “I've been doing this job for over a decade, and it’s never been this easy. Reporting has moved from the office to the field. What used to take us 12 hours now takes five minutes.”
The Condoit integration connects wirelessly with most FLIR cameras
The Condoit integration connects wirelessly with most FLIR cameras, doubling the speed of traditional thermography workflows. There’s no manual image sorting or software juggling; everything syncs instantly to the cloud.
Field teams and office engineers can collaborate in real time, while customers gain secure access to their data through Condoit’s online portal. For clients like T5, which manage multiple facilities, this centralized visibility makes it easier to track electrical system health across entire property portfolios.
Bridging the Skills Gap
With nearly 60% of inspection teams reporting a shortage of skilled thermographers, the platform’s guided workflows help less experienced technicians perform expert-level inspections. Blackmon Power can now also collect baseline data for all components without passing on extra costs to customers.
“Before, collecting non-problematic data was too expensive for most clients,” Tyler explains. “Now, it’s simple and fast. And because field technicians can input data in real time, errors have dropped dramatically.”
Setting a New Benchmark
For Blackmon Power, the impact goes beyond speed. The integrated platform improves data accuracy, enhances transparency through customer portals, and sets a new standard for reporting quality.
“The Flir i65/Condoit platform puts our team light years ahead of the competition,” Tyler concludes. “It’s cleaner, faster, and better for our customers, with great reporting on the back end. What’s more, with the i65 we don’t need a separate smartphone or digital camera. This is going to change our business for years to come.”
