Measuring points quickly and smartly

Since late 2016, a new digital measurement system has been on the market that allows employees in the field to take measurements easily, quickly and to the nearest centimeter in civil engineering. From bridges and pipes to roads and fiber optic connections. What does this method of working offer construction companies specifically?

The two founders of marXact in Hilversum saw that taking measurements in civil engineering was a cumbersome and expensive process that could only be performed by professionals and led to many frustrations. Because they felt this had to be improved, they developed the UNI, a complete system that allows digital measurement of points to centimeter accuracy at a low price.

To the centimeter location input on your tablet.

Gone frustrations

All ground surveying work by GWW companies is nowadays performed using software packages such as 3D BIM or GIS applications, geographic information systems. The tablet in which the digital drawings/maps are stored goes with them to the work site and with one mouse click they can be retrieved. Sometimes these drawings/maps are not completely accurate and measurements need to be taken again. For that, the surveyor is called in. Because he usually has to be brought from another project, the GWW work cannot start yet. Frustration all around. "Not efficient," thinks commercial director of marXact Tommy van der Heijden. "How nice it is when you have location input on your tablet that is accurate down to the centimeter. And that you can quickly take the measurements yourself and the data is immediately integrated into your own software. That's all possible with our universal UNI package. Work can go on and efficiency is maintained. Moreover, at €2,995, the pricing is very favorable."

The UNI package consists of hardware (GPS sphere) to receive the GNSS signals, a correction signal to accurately measure in and software to check, store and integrate the points into the in-house software/BIM environment. This provides real-time data linking so data import and export are no longer necessary. With the UNI, field staff such as contractors and superintendents can do the measurements themselves. All they have to do is keep the device in the right place, store the data and send it on. This is very simple because they work with their own, thus familiar, software packages. There are also advantages for the surveyors. Their specialist knowledge is always necessary for measuring in difficult conditions and at extremely high accuracy.

Van Gogh Museum connected to fiber optic network by BAM using UNI package.

More benefits for businesses

When laying a fiber optic network, Cocon software from Speer IT is often used. "Measuring such a network is usually a cumbersome process, but thanks to the link with UNI, the field staff can see exactly where they are, open up the street in the right place and then measure the cables immediately. This allows a company to lay cables faster, thus cheaper than others, using the most innovative software. This also gives extra points in tenders," says Van der Heijden.

Nice, but how do you manage it?

By offering integration services and the UNI Cloud, marXact helps any business get up and running quickly. With the innovative UNI-Cloud API connection, it can work with any software system. In addition, the UNIs are easy to manage from the office and correct should anything go wrong. Outside, the field worker just needs to turn on the device/tablet, hold his pass in front of it and he can get to work!