What 811spotter does

811spotter (legal entity Lantern Data System, LLC, Delaware) is a cloud-based SaaS platform that automates the lifecycle of 811 (Call Before You Dig) tickets for construction and excavation contractors. Founded in 2019 by Marc Krichman and Jeff Harrison — both veterans of a construction-software company later acquired by Trimble — the platform addresses a workflow that the 811 system was originally designed for utilities and locators rather than contractors. The core product manages ticket renewals, extensions, utility responses, and notifications, with web-based desktop access and native iOS and Android mobile applications that provide map-based views, geotagging, photo uploads, and real-time office-to-field synchronization. Built-in intelligence covers state-specific 811 procedures and laws across 16 U.S. states and Washington D.C.

The platform integrates with major construction project management systems including Procore, Trimble, B2W, and HCSS HeavyJob, enabling jobs and cost codes to flow automatically into ticket records. The business model is a three-tier subscription: a free Starter plan, Plus at $100/month plus $1 per ticket, and Advanced at $200/month plus $2 per ticket, with month-to-month flexibility. Customers include Bear Contracting, ChargeEPC, Kana Pipeline, McGuire and Hester, MGE Underground, and Q&D Construction, with reported outcomes ranging from 50% reductions in open tickets to 573 consecutive days without an at-fault utility strike. Distribution is primarily self-serve through 811spotter.com, augmented by HCSS Marketplace channel sales and, following the June 2025 acquisition by Irth Solutions (a Blackstone portfolio company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio), Irth's enterprise field-sales organization. The company is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and operates with a headcount of 1-10 employees.

Name

811spotter

Legal name

Lantern Data System, LLC

Website

https://811spotter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

811spotter is a cloud-based SaaS platform that automates 811 ticket lifecycle management for U.S. construction and excavation contractors, covering renewals, multi-state compliance, and field-office coordination across 16 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Compliance Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Incident Response, On-Call & Operational Readiness (BPAEAKAL)

Keywords

• 811 ticket management
• Damage prevention software
• Excavation compliance
• Construction SaaS platform
• Utility locate tracking

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Subscription + Usage-Based: Three-tier subscription model (Starter free, Plus $100/month + $1/ticket, Advanced $200/month + $2/ticket) where base subscription provides platform access and per-ticket charges apply for active/renewed tickets during the billing period. Month-to-month flexibility with no long-term contracts required.
2. Freemium Starter Plan: Free forever Starter plan providing basic ticket management functionality to acquire users and drive adoption, with conversion pathway to paid tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

811spotter is a cloud-based SaaS platform that automates the lifecycle of 811 "Call Before You Dig" tickets for excavation contractors. It provides end-to-end management of ticket renewals, extensions, utility responses, and notifications, with web and mobile apps enabling real-time coordination between office and field teams. The platform is purpose-built for contractor workflows with multi-state compliance intelligence and integrations with construction project management systems.

Product overview

811spotter is a unified SaaS platform providing automated 811 ticket management software purpose-built for contractors in the excavation and construction industry. The core product (811spotter Platform) delivers end-to-end automation of the ticket lifecycle including renewals/extensions, utility responses, and notifications, accessible via web browser and native mobile apps (iOS and Android). An optional HCSS HeavyJob integration enables contractors to sync ticket data with project management systems. The platform operates on a tiered subscription model (Starter free, Plus $100/mo+$1/ticket, Advanced $200/mo+$2/ticket) and supports contractors across 16 U.S. states and Washington D.C. 811spotter was acquired by Irth Solutions in June 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 811spotter Platform Cloud-based SaaS platform providing automated end-to-end management of the 811 ticket lifecycle including renewals, extensions, utility responses, and notifications. Built for contractors performing excavation work, it offers web-based access with map view, automated renewals, real-time visibility for office and field teams, multi-state compliance intelligence, notes/photos/file attachments, custom job and ticket fields, and contact management.
• 811spotter Mobile App (iOS/Android) Native mobile application for iOS and Android devices giving field crews map-based access to 811 ticket data, automatic geotagging for locations, photo uploads, ticket status visibility, and real-time collaboration with the office.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in open 811 tickets within days of implementation (ChargeEPC)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• HCSScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 December 2023811spotter became an HCSS Marketplace partner, enabling distribution to HCSS's installed base of construction contractors using HeavyJob and ERP systems. The integration eliminates double entry by automatically pulling jobs and cost codes from HeavyJob into 811spotter, ensuring consistent data across project management and 811 ticket systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• HCSS: Construction software vendor specializing in estimating, field operations, and fleet management for heavy civil contractors (HeavyJob, HeavyBid). Comparable as a channel partner and adjacent platform serving the same contractor customer base.
• B2W Software (Trimble): Construction operations software for heavy civil contractors, now part of Trimble. Comparable as an integration partner and adjacent platform competing for the same contractor software budget.
• Trimble: Major construction technology platform with deep contractor penetration across project management, equipment, and software. Comparable as the acquirer of 811spotter founders' previous company and a potential builder of competing 811 management features within its broader portfolio.
• Procore: Leading construction management platform serving general contractors and specialty trades. Comparable as the broader platform into which 811spotter integrates; represents both a partner and potential competitive threat if it builds native 811 ticket management features.
• Irth Solutions: Parent company of 811spotter and Blackstone portfolio company providing enterprise software for damage prevention, utility network infrastructure, and locate request management. Directly comparable as the broader damage prevention suite into which 811spotter has been integrated.

Emerging players

• 4M Analytics: Underground utility mapping and risk analytics platform serving infrastructure and construction stakeholders. Comparable as an emerging player in the broader 811/damage prevention ecosystem with a focus on utility location intelligence.
• Geolantis: Cloud-based infrastructure management and 811/locate ticket platform with mobile and GIS capabilities. Comparable as an emerging player offering 811 ticket management with stronger emphasis on mapping and GIS visualization.

Direct peers

• PelicanCorp: Provider of utility and damage prevention software including 811/locate request management, ticket management, and infrastructure protection services. Directly comparable as a competitor in the 811 ticket management space, though historically more focused on utilities and locators than contractors.
• KorTerra: Specialized 811 ticket management and locate request software for utilities, locators, and contractors. Comparable as a direct competitor offering similar ticket lifecycle automation, though its primary user base skews toward utility and locator workflows rather than contractor-specific workflows.

Others

• Radiodetection (SPX): Manufacturer of cable and pipe locators, ground-penetrating radar, and other utility avoidance tools. Comparable as an ecosystem participant serving the same damage prevention workflow, though on the hardware/instrument side rather than software.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/811spotter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/811spotter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 811spotter