Author: Nathan Stankowski, Product Manager, Sitetracker
Las Vegas isn’t just a city of bright lights and casinos—it’s also a place where big challenges meet even bigger solutions. For fiber contractor Tilson, deploying fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in the desert comes with some serious hurdles. From battling rock-hard caliche soil to juggling tight schedules and keeping everyone on the same page, their work is anything but straightforward. That’s where Sitetracker comes in—not just as a tool but as a true partner. By working side-by-side with Tilson, we’ve created solutions that help them navigate the chaos and make the impossible feel routine.
The Yard: Tilson’s Command Center in the Desert
We started the day at Tilson’s staging yard, a massive area outside Las Vegas that felt like a construction hub on steroids. Rows of trenching machines, fiber spools, and trucks were lined up with military precision while crews geared up for the day ahead. It’s impressive to see, but the challenges are real.
In addition to keeping track of all the moving parts, Tilson’s crews have to deal with the desert itself: scorching heat, dust storms, and caliche—a layer of soil so hard it’s basically cement. Even with all the prep and planning, this environment demands constant problem-solving. Safety is a big focus here, too. Shaded break areas, strict safety gear protocols, and a dedicated safety coordinator keep things running smoothly.
Breaking Through Challenges: Trenching and Boring in the Desert
Once we hit the field, the work Tilson’s crews were doing was nothing short of impressive. In one neighborhood, a team was micro-trenching, carefully carving channels into the asphalt with a remote-controlled machine. It looked like precision work, but when they hit caliche, the process slowed to a crawl. Over in another part of town, the horizontal boring team was drilling under sidewalks, carefully navigating around obstacles like buried utilities.
It’s a tough job. Every adjustment—whether recalibrating the drill or rerouting a trench—takes time and experience. This is where Sitetracker comes in, helping Tilson stay on track and make quick decisions.
A Single Source of Truth: Sitetracker at Work
The key to keeping all these moving parts aligned? Real-time data. Sitetracker gives Tilson’s project coordinators a clear picture of what’s happening at any moment, whether it’s tracking production progress, crew schedules, or permits. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and endless phone calls, they can pull up everything they need in one place and keep the entire team—from the crews in the field to stakeholders—on the same page.
For Tilson, Sitetracker has become more than just a project management tool. It’s a way to make sense of the chaos, allowing them to adapt quickly and get the job done. Even new team members can jump in and start making an impact because everything they need is easy to find and understand.
The Value of Adaptability
What really stood out during the visit was how adaptable Tilson’s team is. Whether it’s recalibrating a trenching machine to cut through caliche or shifting schedules to avoid traffic jams during school pickup, they’re constantly adjusting to keep things moving. With Sitetracker, they have the support to make those changes without missing a beat—tracking permits, ensuring safety, and deploying resources efficiently.
The visit also reminded us of why we do this work. Seeing Tilson’s crews in action gave us new insights into their challenges and how Sitetracker can keep evolving to meet their needs. This isn’t just about delivering software—it’s about understanding the job and building solutions together. Every adjustment, every problem solved, every innovation is a result of that partnership. Caliche may be tough, but together, Tilson and Sitetracker are tougher.
If you’re curious about how Sitetracker can make your fiber projects run smoother, request a personalized demo today!
