Background

Ashton Ward, the new owner of Ashford SAM, recently took over the company through a merger, bringing together two established drone mapping teams under one brand. With a growing client base in construction, real estate, and environmental surveying, Ashford SAM needed a way to unify operations, improve data management, and maintain high service standards. Managing multiple teams, coordinating flight missions, and handling vast amounts of mapping data posed logistical challenges. To ensure a smooth transition and scalable growth, Ashton turned to SCOUT to streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiency.

The Challenges

Ashford SAM faced three key challenges:

1. Operational Integration – Merging two teams meant consolidating different drone fleets, flight protocols, and data management systems into one seamless operation.
2. Data Overload & Accessibility – The company collected high-resolution maps, 3D models, and geospatial data for clients, but organizing and sharing it efficiently was a struggle.
3. Equipment & Compliance Tracking – Ensuring every drone was properly maintained, flight-ready, and compliant with regulations across multiple locations required better oversight.

Ashton needed a platform that could unify teams, centralize data, and improve efficiency while maintaining the quality clients expected.

The Solution

Implementing SCOUT provided Ashford SAM with the tools to overcome these challenges:

• Multi-Team Coordination – A centralized dashboard allowed seamless collaboration between mapping teams, making it easier to assign missions and track project progress.
• Advanced Media Management – All aerial imagery, 3D maps, and geospatial data were automatically stored and organized in the cloud, accessible in real time with location-based tagging.
• Automated Fleet & Compliance Tracking – Maintenance schedules, pilot certifications, and regulatory compliance were all managed in one place, ensuring smooth operations across locations.

"SCOUT gave us the structure we needed to merge teams, standardize workflows, and improve efficiency. It’s helped turn the transition into an opportunity for growth."

‍Implementation

Integrating the platform into Ashford SAM’s operations was straightforward. The intuitive interface made it easy for both legacy teams to adopt, reducing the friction of the merger. Within weeks, flight missions were running more smoothly, and data organization improved dramatically. Automated maintenance tracking ensured every drone was mission-ready, while better data accessibility allowed teams to deliver results to clients faster. The transition helped Ashton focus on growing the business instead of dealing with operational roadblocks.

Results

The impact was immediate. Project turnaround times improved by 35%, allowing the company to take on more clients without sacrificing quality. Data processing and sharing became 50% more efficient, enabling quicker client reporting and decision-making. Equipment downtime decreased by 20%, ensuring drones were always available for mission-critical mapping tasks. Ashton also noted how compliance tracking simplified regulatory management, reducing risks and keeping operations fully aligned with industry standards."The difference has been incredible," Ashton shared. "We’re more organized, more efficient, and better positioned for growth. SCOUT didn’t just help with the merger—it’s helping us build a stronger future."

‍Conclusion

Ashton Ward praised the transformative impact:

“SCOUT has helped us unify operations, improve efficiency, and scale our business. It’s exactly what we needed to turn this merger into a success story.”

‍Ashford SAM’s success highlights how advanced drone management solutions can enhance collaboration, efficiency, and scalability, making them essential for growing businesses in the mapping and surveying industry.