Sub-dioThe GIS Mapping Solutions Newsletter from KOREC

Summer 2013

“...??????..”

■ New Releases

■ KOREC Opinion:

Data - It’s the Future

■ Product Focus - KOREC’s MX8

Mobile Spatial Imaging Service

■ Technical Tips

this issue:

Stop Press:Just Released - The New Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging SolutionAn Industry First!

KOREC invests in high-end Trimble MX8 Mobile Spatial Imaging technology

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Mobile Spatial Imaging Service. This new service will offer KOREC’s Trimble MX8 equipped vehicle for rental, complete with an operator for periods of a day, a week or even longer.

The Trimble MX8 is a premium mobile spatial imaging system offering industry leading accuracy. It captures fully synchronized, high-quality geo-referenced point clouds and high-resolution imagery.

A vehicle-mounted system, it is designed for geospatial professionals who need rapid acquisition of large amounts of data for as-built modelling, inventory, inspection and encroachment analysis as well as asset management for roads, bridges, railway, utilities and other infrastructure management.

Geo-referenced 3D point cloud data and images are collected at normal driving speeds making for rapid data collection. Feature extraction can be undertaken automatically or manually, including change analysis, with Trimble’s Trident Analyst software. The result is an information rich 3D model providing data which may have been too costly, or too dangerous, to collect by traditional methods.

For geospatial professionals who wish to differentiate themselves in a competitive market place, this new KOREC service brings a mobile 5D scanning solution within the reach of many, enabling new workflows and new opportunities.

The MX8 is the subject of our ‘Product Focus’ in this issue of Sub-dio. Take a look inside to find out who’s using it and why. nnn

Data - It’s the FutureMany thanks to all those who came to our Technology Day in Aintree (and later in the month, Dublin and Belfast). The Aintree location lent itself perfectly to both the indoor presentations and break out areas whilst the venue’s large balconies were ideal stand points for viewing demonstrations of our UAV portfolio and new Trimble MX8 Mobile Spatial Imaging System.

The theme of our Aintree day was ‘Data – it’s the Future’ and in this issue’s KOREC OPINION slot, we take a closer look at the messages from Katherine Sandford, General Manager, Trimble Imaging Division and John Cartledge, Strategic Business Development Manager, Ordnance Survey. Both of these organisations have a keen eye on the future and strong ideas on where they want to be.

The day was also supported by KOREC’s key partners including CRASH, CICES, Tekla, COMIT and The GeoInformation Group.

...and finally it’s congratulations to Gareth Hawkins, Director from STORM-G International Ltd who won a four ball golf day at the Mere Golf Resort and Spa kindly donated by the Mere Golf Resort in Knutsford. nnn

KOREC Launches MX8 Service

The MX8 ‘pod’

The Aibot takes to the air

The GIS Mapping Solutions Newsletter from KOREC

NEW! Trimble Yuma 2 Rugged Tablet Computer

Designed for ease of use and high performance mobility the Yuma 2 offers everything users expect from a tablet computer—with the confidence that it will perform optimally in even the toughest conditions. Great for GIS applications, it’s like bringing a complete PC out into the field. The big bright screen makes it easy to view and use detailed maps, and with more processing power, it is fast. With Trimble TerraSync and GPS Pathfinder Office software support, access GIS workflows with the tablet standalone or together with a Trimble Pro series of receiver to achieve great accuracy in tough GNSS environments.

Key differences between the Yuma 2 and the original Yuma rugged computer include:

• More configurations for greater choice. Available with or without 3.75G modem and in two different memory configurations: 64 GB or 128 GB

• Better display: The Yuma 2 offers a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch screen featuring new, transflective display technology for easy readability even in direct sunlight

• More powerful platform: Dual core Intel Atom N2600 processor, 4 GB RAM memory

• Improved communication capabilities: Integrated 3.75G modem

• Lighter and thinner design: For comfort and ease of use nnn

Trimble Business Center v.3.00 (TBC)

Announcing Trimble’s Geospatial Solutions Vision:

“To enable a 3D virtual world by providing full interoperable application workflows for geospatial professionals, specific to industry and regardless of technology platform.”

The latest version of Trimble Business Center is a perfect example of how work has already begun to achieve this vision.

Designed to manage, analyse and process all field survey data, including optical, GNSS and imaging data, version 3.00 introduces a new photogrammetry module. It is ideal for importing and working with flight data and images collected from Trimble’s Gatewing X100 UAS, the newly announced Trimble UX5 aerial imaging rover and optical instruments, such as the Trimble S8 with Trimble VISION technology, which integrates calibrated digital cameras to collect survey data, stream video from the perspective of the instrument and capture panoramic still images.

The TBC photogrammetry module also provides office surveyors with the capability to process complete mapping projects containing aerial data, GNSS and total station observations. Surveyors can produce deliverables, including georeferenced orthophotos, 3D point clouds and digital surface models directly from TBC. nnn

Stop Press: Trimble has just announced the integration of SketchUp file import and export capabilities in TBC office software, enhancing Trimble’s capability to support survey and engineering organisations across their entire workflow.

Acquired by Trimble from Google in 2012, SketchUp Pro is used by architects and engineers to easily create 3D models for visualisation of structures.

Product Focus…Trimble MX8

Trimble Product News

NEW! Trimble TerraFlex

Just launched - simple data collection software for entry level mapping that runs on Windows Mobile, IOS and Android devices. KOREC’s recommended platform is the Trimble Juno 5 for its rugged build and excellent sunlight readable display.

KOREC Mapping Consultant Richard Gauchwin’s opinion on Trimble TerraFlex is “.... really smart and really simple! It’s a cost-effective way for a first foray into digital data capture and away from pen and paper data collection.”

Call your KOREC Technical Consultant for more details. nnn

KOREC MX8 Events:

The MX8 will be a feature of all our KOREC September Roadshows and we will also be holding a dedicated MX8 day at Brooklands Car Museum in Surrey on Friday 20th September. Register at www.korecknowhow.com

Mobile Spatial Imaging with the Trimble MX8 - Get the whole picture in just one pass

The Trimble MX8 system is a market leader and that’s why KOREC has invested in a solution that will be available for hire throughout the UK and Ireland.

It works by combining many positioning technologies, such as GNSS receivers, laser scanning, imaging and inertial positioning systems to rapidly collect 3D spatial data.

Whilst the technology has been available for use for several years, 2013 will be key for several reasons. In previous years, the Highways Agency (HA) has maintained and improved the 4,300 miles of England’s strategic road network with aerial LiDAR surveys. This year, for the first time, the HA will be using mobile spatial imaging technology instead – a clear message to the industry that this is a tried, tested and productive solution. The knock on affect is that KOREC has repsonded by launching a new Mobile Spatial Imaging Service.

This service will offer KOREC’s Trimble MX8 equipped vehicle for rental, complete with an operator for periods of a day, a week or even longer and will enable geospatial professionals to offer their customers something new and of real value.

Whilst a service option places mobile spatial imaging technology within the budgets of most surveying practices and engineering companies, key to making the most of the technology’s productivity is selecting the right application, for example any project that requires rapid acquisition of large amounts of data for as-built modelling, inventory, inspection and encroachment analysis as well as asset management for roads, bridges, railway, utilities and other infrastructure management.

We’ve been working closely with Costain and are delighted to include some details on how they’ve been using the MX8.

work. However, because the data had already been collected in the previous MX8 survey, it became a job of simple data extraction in the office, by-passing unnecessary work and cost.

Key benefits include:

• Combined with ground control, the MX8 achieves industry leading data accuracy

• Incredibly detailed 3D infrastructure geometry without gaps in a single pass from a vehicle moving at regular traffic speeds

• Conduct projects that would be too slow, cost-prohibitive, disruptive, dangerous or simply impossible using traditional survey methods

• Automated and manual feature extraction capabilities including change analysis impossible using other technologies

• Service available for one day, one week or longer periods

• Survey in seconds what others measure in hours

• Embrace the next-generation of surveying technology without the expense and commitment of a purchase

A great case study can be found at http://www.trimble.com/imaging/pdf/Trimble_MX8_ESP.pdf nnn

Case Study - Costain

Costain has a strong reputation as a supplier of choice in the highways sector. In 2012 the company launched its MARIO project (Mass Asset Recognition and Intelligent Optimisation) with a focus on mobile mapping technology and the advantages that this method can bring as a tool for collecting survey information at carriageway speeds, without traffic management and in a cost effective way.

Working in partnership with KOREC, Costain has used the Trimble MX8 mobile spatial imaging system on a number of projects including collecting survey data and asset information on motorway improvement schemes for its HA ASC (Highways Agency Asset Support Contract) contracts in England. Costain have successfully deployed this technology to collect topographical data with no Traffic Management requirement.

In 2013 Costain had a particular engineering task to undertake on its projects for BAA at Heathrow. A refit to some of the tunnel infrastructure was planned and detailed measurements were required to facilitate the design. The Costain team needed to survey the main access tunnel into the terminals. This tunnel is in use 24 hours a day and closure would be extremely disruptive to the airport and additionally would require extensive planning and traffic management if a GNSS and optical survey was undertaken. By using KOREC’s MX8 system, accurate, detailed measurement of the tunnel was completed at carriageway speed with no disruption to the airport at all. This data was then processed and extracted to provide all the relevant information required for the work. Whilst on site, Costain also used the MX8 to collect a large sample of the access infrastructure around the airport. A month later Costain was asked for clearances to an over-bridge. Traditionally this would have involved planning, logistics, traffic management, physical measuring and night

KOREC’s MX8 vehicle

Point cloud data

Point cloud data

Aerial data produced by the new photogrammetry module in Trimble Business Center

Sub-Dio | Summer 2013

Customer story

On average, a KOREC customer using a Trimble GPS data capture system collects around 10 pieces of information for each positional point recorded. For East Anglian based tree survey specialists, Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultants, this figure is likely to be around 60.

This requirement for accurate and extensive information on each tree – genus, canopy, spread, pruning, condition etc - was a key factor in their move from pen and paper to a digital data capture system.

Nationally renowned, Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultants deals with all matters relating to trees and specialises in planning issues providing a vital link between the development industry and Local Planning Authorities. Its aim is to smooth the path of any planning application by dealing with the tree issues as an integral part of the design and development process.

Collecting tree survey data is vital for development sites (see side box) and although a planned approach is advocated, all too often it is left to the last minute.

Managing the day to day survey and inspection programme is Arboricultural Manager, David Carmichael. “I am responsible for ensuring our documentation is current and meets our own exacting standards for clarity and precision. As lead consultant, I also undertake my own caseload of projects including on-site inspections, reports and appeals,” explains David. “We have a heavy liaising role between council and client and whilst our aim is to protect the environment, it’s also vital that we acknowledge the pressures of the commercial world and find a path between them.”

On development projects, Hayden’s would ideally form part of a Design Team of Architect, Landscape Architect and Planner, each offering expert advice on what can be achieved. For example, how close to a protected tree can a particular building be constructed? However, the reality is that often Hayden’s is contacted to carry out a last minute tree survey which has been overlooked. If a project is delayed because a missing tree survey is holding up the programme, it becomes a cost for the developer that needs immediate mitigation.

David’s previous experience using Trimble technology in Local Government meant that he was in a perfect position to transfer his knowledge to an arboricultural

Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultants

business, recognising that intelligent application of GPS technology would enable Hayden’s to alleviate costly delays for their clients. They therefore decided to change from their old methods of data collection – pen, paper maps and a dictaphone – to digital data collection.

Hayden’s opted for Trimble hand-held GPS systems and in 2012 updated their equipment to include three Trimble GeoXT 6000 Series hand-helds with FastMap data capture software on-board. Capable of sub metre accuracy, the GeoXT’s were selected for their simplicity of use, ease of integration with Hayden’s existing systems and robust build.

David continues, “The GeoXT’s offered two stand-out features for our line of work. Firstly the ability to email our ADB database files to the office direct from site, securely, using the on-board SIM card and secondly, the larger screen and connection with Google Earth for us to use as a background map. We have to be efficient to be competitive and without the ability to email our data from the field, we’d struggle time wise if we were working in a remote area. For example, a recent job involved us carrying out a tree survey in a Gloucester cemetery with the report required for the next day. I collected the tree survey data, emailed it to the office on completion, from the site, and by the time I was home, the report had been prepared and was waiting for the client. The drop down menus we use when collecting the data ensure that there are no transcription errors and that all recorded information will be reproduced with 100% accuracy. We simply couldn’t offer this level of service to our clients without

Planning and trees

The increasing requirements of the planning process with regards trees, through BS5837:2012 British Standard Recommendations for Trees in Relation to Construction, are such that invariably, where trees are on a proposed development site, the Local Planning Authority will require the submission of a Tree Survey in line with BS5837.

This will usually comprise a Tree Constraints Plan (TCP), Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) and Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) and Tree Protection Plan (TPP) allowing the client and the Local Planning Authority to assess the implications of the proposed development on the existing trees to be retained as part of the development.

If the Tree Constraints Plan (TCP) is undertaken as an initial phase of the site appraisal, it can be used to guide the design process by raising awareness of those trees that will have to be retained as part of the development of the site and thereby informing the design process, ultimately smoothing the flow of planning applications by dealing with tree/development issues before they become a problem.

the Trimble GeoXTs. KOREC ensured that we had good pre-purchase advice and their history of support with our previous systems meant that the decision to go with these systems was a straightforward one.”

Many thanks to David Carmichael (below)

www.treesurveys.co.uk

KOREC RoadshowsSeptember will see us back on the road with a nationwide series of KOREC Roadshows. Register your place at www.korecknowhow.com.

Glenbervie House Hotel, Stirling - 10th Sept

Matfen Hall Hotel Golf and Spa, Newcastle - 11th Sept

TBC, Derbyshire - 12th Sept

New House Country Hotel, Cardiff - 17th Sept

Heythrop Park, Oxford - 18th Sept

Leeds Castle, Maidstone - 19th Sept

Also... Brooklands Car Museum, Surrey, on 20th September. This will be a dedicated MX8 day.

Following the success of our first photo competition, we are delighted to announce that the second one is already underway. There are four categories; on-site, nature, urban and weather. A winner from each of the categories will win a £250 KOREC

KOREC News

Photo Comp.

voucher to be used on either purchase or hire.

An overall winner will then be chosen who will win a £500 KOREC voucher along with a £150 Amazon Gift Voucher. Running until the 30th of September 2013, the best entries will also be included in the 2014 KOREC calendar.

For all details and to submit a photograph, please visit the KOREC Facebook page.

Alternatively email your photograph to marketing@korecgroup.com.

Webinars Missed our last mapping webinar?

All our webinars can be viewed at www.youtube.com/korecgroup including our latest one on the importance of gathering good data and managing it effectively. nnn

Contact us:

T: 0845 603 1214 E: info@korecgroup.comwww.korecgroup.com

For further information on any of the products or services mentioned within Sub-dio,

please contact your nearest Mapping Sales Consultant or visit our website

Katherine Sandford at the KOREC Technology Day

KOREC OpinionData – It’s the FutureWith a theme of ‘Data – it’s the future’, speakers from Trimble, KOREC and the Ordnance Survey presented on how geospatial professionals can model, analyse and generate specific customer deliverables when using multiple solutions and methods for

their data collection. Presentations also included information about the opportunities for surveyors to diversify and grow their businesses by looking at new markets and differentiating themselves from those who just collect data. In today’s real-time geospatial world, surveyors must be able to not only collect data, but also become the experts in the management and processing of data to ensure the customer requirement is met. Advances in technology mean that surveyors can now ask how and where will this information be used and then use their professional acumen to combine data from different sources to provide the solution.

Trimble’s Katherine Sandford, a general manager in the geospatial sector, provided an insight into the Trimble vision of the future. Moving away from the historical view to deliver generic data collection solutions, Trimble is now looking towards an ideal of a 3D virtual world made possible by fully interoperable application workflows, industry specific, and irrespective of technology platform.

Whilst the past was clearly delineated as ‘survey’ and ‘mapping’, today the Trimble structure is built on specific business areas with a focus on delivering relevant Trimble solutions to targeted industries such as Rail, Environmental and Local Government. Fitting in perfectly with the KOREC theme, Katherine concluded with a look into the future - software that operates with a mixed fleet of devices, from a Smartphone to a UAV, with streamlined workflows running from collecting the data and processing it, through to modelling, analysis and decision support.

Work has already begun. Version 3 of Trimble’s Business Center software, traditionally used for handling GNSS and optical surveying data, now has a new photogrammetry module for importing and working with flight data and images collected from Trimble’s UAV, the Gatewing X100. Katherine concludes that although there is still much to do, the future is near. Trimble has many pieces of the puzzle in place and work continues at pace.

But how is this working in practice in the UK? It’s early days but KOREC’s Martyn Palmer states that it is not unusual to find a customer who wants to combine a wide variety of data collection methods for a single project.

Justin Moat, GIS Manager at Royal Botanic Gardens is an excellent example of this forward-looking approach. He will shortly be heading out to Peru and Madagascar on an environmental project, equipped with a 3D laser scanner, a UAV, a Trimble ProXRT decimetre accuracy GPS and a Trimble Pro 6H to use as a base station. He will also be using Trimble eCognition image analysis software to collect plant metrics (tree height, volume, biomass and carbon content) as well as scanned vegetation changes. On his return to the UK, all the collected information will be fed into ESRI GIS for analysis. Data collected from multiple sources will be gathered and combined to produce an overall picture.

….a compelling subject to which we will be returning in future issues.

John Cartledge, Strategic Business Development Manager at Ordnance Survey also provided a thought provoking presentation with a similar theme - data collection today and in the future. John made several key points on how the Ordnance Survey has changed, from the introduction of OS OpenDatasets (essentially free products which include raster and vector mapping, height, boundary and gazetteer products) to meeting specific customer requirements such as working with partners like Zoopla to enable new, more detailed and innovative solutions.

John also underlined not just how Ordnance Survey was changing, but why. “As technological constraints recede, users are demanding much more – not only of content in its own right but also in terms of how it is structured to better model (rather than simply depict) the real world…..The output more and more is NOT a map, but an answer to a question”

Finally John concluded that whilst the future will see the Ordnance Survey continuing to evolve, many applications require continual maintenance of geographic features throughout their lifecycle and maintaining a detailed database is the core of the Ordnance Survey’s business today. nnn

“Today has been very informative.....

it’s been liberating to see a UK company

that’s looking forward - particularly

in the area of asset management – and prepared to work as

a partner.”Mark Avery, Euromark GB

Stay in Touch

KOREC Linked In Groups

Why not join KOREC’s UAV Linked In Group? This KOREC hosted group is designed to provide members with the ability to converse on topics related to UAVs used in commercial applications, especially those used in the construction industry as surveying or mapping tools. It’s the perfect forum to discuss and share information with like-minded people. nnn

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Support TipsSoftware Updates

• Have you heard about Trimble Positions Software Suite? This software provides a complete streamlined workflow to manage your GNSS data collection for optimal speed and integrity. A replacement going forward for the GPSCorrect/GPS Analyst solution, it links directly with ArcGIS10.1 (the latest version) and a piece of mobile software. It can be used with ArcPad, ArcGIS Mobile and custom programs built using Arcpad SDK. It is also compatible with all the new/current Trimble mapping handhelds units - Geo6000, Juno 5 etc. Call now for purchase details or KOREC training on this product.

• If you’d like to know How to…connect Trimble handheld units to Windows, visit 8http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-643131/MGIS_SprtNote_WMDCWindows8Compatibility_1212.pdf

• If you’d like to know How to…configure a WiFi Connection on the Trimble Juno 5 Series, visit http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-636622/SprtNote_Juno5_WiFi_Configuration_ENG.pdf

Get Expert Advice…Get the Point

“Get the Point” articles help mapping professionals find new solutions to common challenges in the field and in the office. Expert advice is available to guide you through the many functions of Trimble Mapping & GIS solutions—designed to streamline workflows and make life easier. Visit www.trimble.com/mappingGIS/expert_advice.aspx for more.

KOREC UAV days

See KOREC’s UAV’s in action. We are holding a series of dedicated FREE UAV flying days around the country.

Each day will offer an in depth look at what’s involved using UAV’s, demonstrations (subject to weather conditions), data processing information and the chance to speak to our very knowledgeable technical consultants and support staff.

Please call your local Technical Sales Consultant for details on locations and dates. nnn

OS - Case Study

If you’ve been thinking about moving house lately, it’s likely that you’ll have come across the Halfiax Homefinder App. This uses property information provided by Zoopla (who use Ordnance Survey data along with other data sources) to geo-locate properties. The end result is an app developed specifically for the house buying/selling customer wit h features such as the map-led search and list view to find homes on the market all around the UK, along with the local sales history on properties in the area where you’re looking to buy. This is a perfect example of how the Ordnance Survey can work with partners such as Zoopla to answer a question rather than just provide a map.

KOREC is Recruiting!Please visit www.korecgroup.com/about-us/