Fiberside Chat (3-GIS): Automation is not autonomous. Why people are needed in data migration.

Stephen Hudak, senior GIS consultant for SSP Innovations in Centennial, CO. Hudak, has spent nearly a decade working in the field of GIS. While contributing to various positions, he has dedicated his time to working on enterprise software implementations and fiber optic data management systems. Joined with Hudak is Kevin Harrelson. Harrelson is the Production Manager of the Data Team for 3-GIS in Decatur, AL. Having worked in GIS for twenty-five years, his tenure with 3-GIS data migration spans nearly a decade.

Many companies struggle to keep up with the latest technology. Hudak and Harrelson agree that customers want fast and clear communication to see if their designs are working and accessible. GIS permits fast data automation for migration. Although manual methods seem like the quick and effective route, they produce significant risks to something going wrong and problem-solving. In the long run, automation saves time and money due to its ability with data migration “set and forget it” said Hudak.

Human in the Loop machine learning strategies keep humans active in building quality automation models by creating feedback touchpoints. Machine learning has allowed automation to take steps forward in efficiency compared to solely relying on a human.

Combining machine learning and human decisions can produce an ongoing evolution by integrating systems. Set up a system with a purpose and a plan. Depending on the problem, it comes down to a sliding scale between the human and machine work ratio. “The last thing you want to do is attempt to solve a problem, but you solve it in a way that creates more work than it’s worth,” said Harrelson. Human engagement allows for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis within the data migration process. Machine learning is ultimately not an all-or-nothing game.

CONTACT:  

Kevin Harrelson, Production Manager at 3-GIS, kharrelson@3-gis.com  

Stephen Hudak, Senior GIS consultant at SSP Innovations, stephen.hudak@sspinnovations.com 

Visit 3-gis.com to see previous episodes, videos, articles, and other resources   

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

student visibility
Why Student Visibility Matters in Today’s Schools
March 3, 2026

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews SRO Todd Brendel of Dayton Independent Schools (KY), who shares frontline insights on the importance of knowing where students and staff are throughout the school day. He explains how they manage…

Read More
skilled trades mentorship
Why the Trades Need a Cultural Reset to Attract and Retain the Next Generation
March 3, 2026

The skilled trades are at a critical crossroads. According to an August 2025 report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), the number of women working in construction and extraction occupations rose to 366,360 in 2024, the highest level ever recorded. Yet despite that growth, women still account for only about 4.3% of construction…

Read More
virtual physical therapy
Virtual Physical Therapy and the Changing Landscape of Athlete Care
March 3, 2026

Virtual care is no longer an experiment—it’s a structural shift in healthcare. Telehealth usage remains significantly higher than pre-2020 levels, and providers across disciplines are rethinking how to deliver higher-quality outcomes without the overhead and insurance constraints of traditional clinics. Meanwhile, recreational and endurance sports participation continues to rise, with millions of Americans registering…

Read More
employer
Why Institution-Wide Employer Alignment Will Define the Next Era of Higher Ed
March 2, 2026

Higher education is at an inflection point. Institutions are facing a demographic cliff in traditional-age enrollment, softening international pipelines, and increasing scrutiny around the return on investment of a degree. At the same time, the World Economic Forum reports that 59 out of every 100 workers globally are projected to require reskilling or upskilling…

Read More