New Products

Trimble opened its Dimensions 2009 conference with more than 2,400 registered attendees from 67 countries. The conference theme provided insight into how surveying, engineering, construction, mapping, Geographic Information System (GIS), geospatial and mobile resource management professionals worldwide can harness the power of today’s technology to help face tomorrow’s challenges.

“We are extremely pleased with the strong interest demonstrated in Trimble Dimensions,” said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. “It is truly a unique conference focused on how advanced technology solutions are transforming the way work is done.”

Attendees had the opportunity to network with key industry leaders, develop new contacts, build partnerships, discuss opportunities and discover how to overcome obstacles in today’s competitive business environment. With more than 300 sessions across multiple specialty tracks, the conference focused on increasing productivity in the field and the office to transform the way work is done.

The conference included an off-site demonstration and training area and a Partners Pavilion that showcased the complete suite of Trimble construction, survey, engineering, aerial and mobile mapping, GIS and infrastructure solutions, including products from Applanix, Crain, Geo 3D, INPHO, Meridian Systems, Pacific Crest, Quantm, RolleiMetric, SECO, Tripod Data Systems (TDS), TopoSys and XYZ Solutions. Highlighted solutions and technologies included GPS; total stations; field computing and data collection; 3D scanning; pre-design construction planning; 3D visualization; construction project management; aerial mapping; wireless communications; data transfer; and field and office software applications. Other technology providers who are Trimble partners also participated to extend the conference’s range of products and applications.

Trimble SPS361 And SPS461 GPS Heading Receivers

Trimble introduced two new Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers designed specifically for marine construction applications—the Trimble SPS361 and Trimble SPS461 GPS Heading and Positioning Receivers. These dedicated marine receivers are designed to deliver both precise GPS heading together with Differential GPS (DGPS) or Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning. The receivers are designed for a range of applications when used with Trimble HYDROpro marine software, including: the precise placement of structures such as piles, bridges, caissons, marinas, and coastal defenses; dredge head positioning; vessel positioning and tracking; and offshore rig positioning with anchor handling.

The Trimble SPS361 is an entry-level DGPS Heading receiver with an internal MSK Beacon receiver and OmniSTAR VBS support. The Trimble SPS461 is a GPS Heading and Attitude receiver upgradeable to the full range of positioning accuracies needed for marine construction applications, including Location RTK, Location RTK with precise vertical measurement, and Precise RTK positioning. The SPS461 supports MSK Beacon, external RTCM, OmniSTAR VBS, XP, HP, and precision RTK correction data delivered by an internal/external radio or Internet-enabled cellular modem.

The Trimble SPS361/461 GPS Heading Receivers offer:

• Rapid deployment, easy integration
• High-precision, dual-frequency GPS heading with fast initialization
• Data to easily determine the position of other sensors on a vessel (in partnership with HYDROpro)
• Support for a range of correction services to provide the position accuracy you need

The dual-frequency antennas of the Trimble SPS361 and SPS461 GPS Heading Receivers offer flexible antenna separation, enabling users to maximize precision for each installation, as well as expedite initialization and re-acquisition. The receivers can also be used for single-antenna applications if heading is not required. Trimble offers a range of antennas to suit both standard vessel installations and systems required for use in harsher environments such as dredging and piling.

Both receivers, when operating with Trimble HYDROpro marine software on a PC such as the Trimble Tablet, are designed to provide a complete, turnkey marine positioning solution. The dual antennas of the Trimble SPS361 and SPS461 system provide the position, heading, and pitch or roll of a vessel. In addition, HYDROpro software can integrate data from other devices such as motion sensors for heave and pitch, cable payout devices and inclinometers for crane operations, pressure transducers for dredge head depth, and echo sounders for depth measurement. Customers without HYDROpro can easily integrate the SPS361 and SPS461 receivers into existing systems.

The Trimble SPS361 and SPS461 Heading Receivers are the latest addition to Trimble’s family of Site Positioning System solutions, which have a common interfaces, connectors, accessories, and firmware. Companies with multiple receivers and worldwide sites can benefit from reduced product training and increased operational flexibility.

Spectra Precision LR20 Laser Receiver

Trimble introduced the Spectra Precision LR20 laser receiver for both elevation and depth grade control. Designed for the cost-conscious site prep contractor, the new LR20 laser receiver can improve the productivity of compact construction equipment by providing better grading accuracy and more accurate material u
sage on the construction site. Now operators of small equipment such as mini excavators, backhoes, and small dozers can grade with the same accuracy and productivity enhancements as larger machines.

The LR20 laser receiver allows smaller construction equipment to achieve tighter tolerances without the need for a grade checker. From simple ditches to sloping trenches, a small- or medium-sized contractor can broaden the scope of job applications and very easily move the laser receivers across their fleet of compact machines—offering a very attractive return-on-investment.

The Spectra Precision Laser LR20 is a standalone display receiver for mini excavators, backhoes, scrapers, skid steer attachments, box blades, and small dozers. NiMH rechargeable batteries or direct machine power powers it.

Typical site preparation applications for the LR20 include:

• landscaping
• building pads
• sports fields
• curb and gutter
• concrete flatwork
• tennis courts
• footers
• storm drains
• utility
• sewage

It can be moved from machine to machine with features and setup options for multiple applications and specifications.

Trimble Construction Manager Version 2.3

Trimble announced the release of Trimble Construction Manager Version 2.3, a remote construction asset management software. The new version includes Trimble Construction Manager Asset Data Sharing, the first solution developed by the new Trimble and Caterpillar joint venture, which provides connectivity between Trimble and Caterpillar asset management hardware devices.

Trimble’s CrossCheck Global locator or TrimTrac Pro Locator hardware devices and Trimble Construction Manager software provide an innovative solution for site management and fleet productivity. The Caterpillar asset management solution includes Product Link hardware and EquipmentManager software providing a best-in-class solution for machine health and maintenance management. Trimble Construction Manager Asset Data Sharing provides communication of equipment data between the two solutions for mixed fleet asset management functionality.

Using Trimble Construction Manager Asset Data Sharing, organizations can now view Caterpillar machine location and service meter hours made available via Cat Product Link in Trimble Construction Manager software. This data can be associated with Trimble hardware data and used to populate many of Trimble Construction Manager’s 17 standard productivity reports and 9 standard productivity charts.

“For construction companies that are using both solutions independently, the ability to share data between Trimble and Caterpillar asset management systems provides a more complete view of the company’s fleet in one application,” said Rob Painter, general manager of Trimble’s Construction Services division. “The implementation of Trimble Construction Manager Asset Data Sharing for device-enabled equipment fleets is simple to use and can be set up without additional hardware or installation requirements.”

The software update also includes capabilities for user-defined idle time thresholds and multiple alert enhancements. Now, an alert message can be sent to an e-mail address or cell phone when idle times exceed a user-defined threshold; operators can be automatically notified of an idle time alert on the message data terminal; and users can be notified immediately by a journal pane notification on the application screen.

Envista Introduces “Shovel Ready” Project Tracking

Envista Corporation, a provider of web-based software for infrastructure project coordination solutions for utilities, municipalities, and highway agencies to share construction and maintenance projects on a map, announced Envista 2009 Release 1. Among many enhancements, the new version debuts Envista “Shovel Ready” infrastructure project coordination and tracking to support the renewal efforts of municipalities, counties, highway agencies, and utilities. This important feature lets users designate these time-sensitive projects as “Shovel Ready” and enables project stakeholders to coordinate critical schedules.

The key to success for starting “Shovel Ready” projects on time is early notifications to utilities needing to upgrade or relocate their infrastructure before other work can begin. This capability helps project owners meet the “Use It or Lose It” requirements of the economic stimulus funding. In addition, sharing information on economic stimulus projects using a web-based, map-driven application supports transparency and accountability.

According to Marc Fagan, Envista executive vice president – Product Management, “The economic stimulus funding will initiate an unprecedented number of roadway projects, all at the same time. Envista’s product speeds up utility coordination by enabling municipalities, counties, highway agencies and utilities to exchange and synchronize construction and maintenance project schedules using web-based technology.”

The new release contains over fifty enhancements including “Shovel Ready” Project Coordination, Custom Overlays, Automated E-mail Notifications, Projects to Watch, GIS File Import and Export, among many others.

“Shovel Ready” Project Coordination enables users to highlight projects as “Shovel Ready” and alert other project stakeholders of high priority status. The application then allows users to filter views based on this status, notify stakeholders of project details, highlight “Shovel Ready” projects in reports, and identify and track them on a management dashboard.

A new feature is the option to add and display custom map overlays such as political boundary lines (ward, district, county line, etc.) and asset information (pavement condition index, pipe condition assessment, etc.). For example, neighborhood districts such as “Hilltop” or “Lakeside” can be overlaid on the project map to help easily identify and manage project location information.

Alternatively, pavement condition overlays can be used as an objective means to prioritize paving projects and repair the worst roads first, or to delay non-critical maintenance for underground utilities on
recently paved roads. In addition, failing pavement condition information can highlight where work on underground utilities can be planned before a road is repaved.

Other features include the ability to set up automatic notifications on a wide variety of alerts to be sent to contacts by e-mail. This allows project stakeholders to stay abreast of project changes real-time without being logged into the Envista application. For example, if a conflict occurs on a project, the owner will be automatically e-mailed with the conflict details and contact information. In addition, users can specify projects to watch for any changes and automatically trigger e-mail alerts.

GIS File Import and Export, another enhancement, is the ability to import and export shapefile project information into Envista from Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Now users can leverage their GIS investments and import project information directly into Envista to create appropriate locations and add other details. Envista provides a detailed specification and support for this powerful capability.

Until recently, there have been no automated methods to address the vast needs for infrastructure coordination. But advances in several areas have made it possible for Envista to create a breakthrough technology solution. Envista has integrated internet mapping, geospatial database capabilities, and Web 2.0 technologies, making it easy, convenient and cost effective for organizations to implement infrastructure coordination online.

Greg Sitek