Integrated Field and Office Solution Streamlines Surveying Activities and Simplifies Project Collaboration via the Internet
Sunnyvale, Calif., Jan. 28, 2009 — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today introduced Trimble® Access™ software—a new field and office solution for surveyors that expedites data collection, processing, analysis, and project information delivery through improved workflows, collaboration and control, which is enabled by constant wireless connectivity* between the project team members.
The complete solution speeds both typical and specialized surveying tasks, and enables easy, fast and secure two-way information sharing between the field survey crew and the office. Surveys can be completed faster with less time spent traveling back and forth to the office. Management and field crews can closely collaborate by viewing the same information in near real-time. With Trimble Access, productivity and efficiency can be significantly improved on projects.
"Minimizing rework and improving productivity is the basis for Trimble’s ongoing focus on Connected Site solutions. The principles of connectivity and total workflow integration provide surveyors with the day-to-day flexibility to adapt to a variety of situations in the field and office—in near real time," said Chris Gibson, general manager of Trimble’s Survey Division. "We are passing a new milestone today with the introduction of Trimble Access. The ability to seamlessly share survey information between the field and office while streamlining survey operations in the field, make Trimble Access the ideal tool to take organizations to the next level of productivity and help keep project costs on target and under budget."
The four components of the Trimble Access solution include: Trimble Access services, base software for typical survey applications, specialized application modules, and the Trimble Connected Community.
Send Data Back and Forth, Not People
Trimble Access brings the field and office closer together by enabling data sharing and collaboration in a secure environment wirelessly connected through the Internet. The Trimble AccessSync™ capability automatically and transparently synchronizes field and office files, without delaying or disrupting standard computing processes. This capability is integrated into the complete workflow and reduces manual e-mail setup; slow, problematic uploads to FTP sites; and error-prone dictation over the phone.
The ability to easily and securely move and share information reduces or eliminates downtime driving back to the office. Any changes made to the files in the field are automatically updated by Trimble Access software. For changes made in the office, a project manager can easily post new instructions and new files for the field crew to access. If a question arises on-site, digital images can be sent to the office to enable the office staff to "see" the true situation and confer with the survey crew to arrive at a solution. In addition, field data can be sent to the office to begin immediate quality assurance. The office staff can start processing in parallel, identify potential mistakes or provide expert problem resolution while the crew is still on site. The job can be finished faster keeping project costs on target.
Streamlined Workflows for Typical and Specialized Surveying
For typical survey tasks such as topographic, staking or control, Trimble Access offers general survey tools that enable surveyors to work through an interface familiar to users of Trimble Survey Controller™ software.
In addition, Trimble Access provides streamlined workflows for specialized applications such as tunnel and road surveys. These add-on modules organize tasks in a logical, application-focused, step-by-step approach. This enables survey crews to obtain rapid results by eliminating unnecessary steps in the process. These streamlined workflows minimize the learning curve, allowing users to be productive in the field almost immediately. The surveyors can focus on the deliverables they are creating, not on the software commands for each task along the way.
Trimble Connected Community
The Trimble Connected Community provides the backbone infrastructure, enabling all parties working on a project to share a wide range of information immediately throughout the project life cycle. Head-office management, site-office teams and field crews can securely share information and collaborate on all appropriate aspects of the project through the Trimble Connected Community portal. This on-line service integrates today’s advanced information technologies (IT) to address the customers’ most fundamental IT infrastructure, collaboration, and data management needs. All of this collaboration and connectivity is provided in a secure, hosted environment without extensive IT investments.
By connecting the field crew to the Trimble Connected Community, Trimble Access can provide significant improvements to surveying workflows in the field and office throughout all phases of the surveying project life-cycle from data collection to final deliverables. Trimble Access sets a new standard for productivity and connectivity in the survey world.
Availability
Trimble Access software, including a variety of modules and subscription services, is expected to be available in March of 2009. For more information: visit www.trimble.com/access for details.
*Connectivity in the field may vary depending on mobile phone and data provider’s coverage.
About the Trimble Connected Site
Trimble Access is an integral part of the complete surveying workflow and essential field infrastructure for Trimble’s Connected Site™ survey solutions. The Connected Site for surveyors creates seamless working relationships among Trimble products, technologies and services through support, infrastructure and partnerships. Through the Connected Site, Trimble is focused on providing solutions that address our customer’s full work process. By carefully combining technology innovation with a deep understanding of the users’ workflows, data integration and maintenance across the lifecycle of the project, Trimble helps surveyors reach new levels of productivity for their business.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.