Digital surveying: the investment is quickly recouped

Many small construction companies still work traditionally. But why really? According to Ad van Gils, GEO consultant and trainer at Topcon, because many contractors think that digital equipment - for measuring interior and exterior spaces and plotting designs - is complicated and pricey. "They also don't really know what to expect in terms of conversion and are unsure whether they will get their (more experienced) employees on board," he says. "Understandable, but not justified."

In this rather traditional industry, digitizing a secondary process such as measuring and plotting feels like a big investment. But for construction professionals in particular, where well-trained or experienced craftsmen are scarce and material costs are high, there is a tremendous amount to be gained from digital measuring equipment. Ad: "If you look at accuracy, speed, manpower and the reduction in repair costs, the investment is quickly recouped."

Cold feet

Besides doubts about the investment, there is also cold comfort: 'Can we do all this? Will I soon have to work completely differently and acquire even more systems? How do I get my experienced, often slightly older staff to go along with the digitalization process?" "As a supplier, it is up to us to help contractors and professionals overcome these barriers. Because traditional surveying is really more difficult than digital, but you only experience that when you work with it." One of the reasons Topcon offers training courses (on the job) and workshops and guides the transition process if desired.

Matter of doing

"Admittedly, if you've been used to doing everything by hand for years, it's quite difficult to move away from that. But it really is a matter of doing it," says Ad. "To lower the threshold, we organize user days, we have clear instructional videos, and of course there is our support department to advise and assist. I always advise that when you start with digital measurement, start small. Take a small, relatively simple project. Make sure that digital measuring becomes part of your workflow. You will see that it becomes more and more automatic. Build up to slightly more complex projects. Of course you can also make use of our coaching program in which we guide you step by step. Together we take the next step every period so that you can achieve an optimal return."

Investment quickly recouped

With the LN150, a 3D laser surveying stick that is easy to use and has the performance of a total station, you can measure, plot and check the work yourself. Without an external surveyor. It is an ideal tool for plotting earthwork, piles, penetrations, foundations, elevator shafts, interior walls and more. With the LN150, you save man hours, time and avoid duplication of effort because the data from surveying is exported directly to the design program. Properly performed surveying also reduces failure and material costs. "So all in all, the investment pays for itself quickly," says Ad. He explains that simple equipment is available from as little as a few thousand euros, "depending on how you want it set up."

More and more Topcon customers are finding that the company goes far beyond just supplying the equipment. "We really want to make the threshold as low as possible and really act as a dimensional partner. So that you can get the most out of the technology and confidently execute construction plans. So are you still in doubt? Then we'll just pick up a project together that you need to execute. Then you immediately see the added value in practice, you know what you are getting into and what you will gain from it."