Catalyst Receiver and TerraFlex Cloud Software Enables a New Era of GNSS Positioning for GIS Professionals
Las Vegas, Nov. 7, 2016 — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the Trimble® Catalyst, a software-defined Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver that works with select Android mobile handhelds, smartphones and tablets. When combined with a small, lightweight, plug-and-play digital antenna and subscription to the Catalyst service, the receiver provides on-demand GNSS, geo-location capabilities to transform consumer devices into high-accuracy mobile data collection systems.
The announcement was made at Trimble Dimensions.
With the evolution of smartphones and tablets as commonly used mobile information tools, more field workers and consumers now have access to positioning technologies for geospatial data use and collection. The Trimble Catalyst software receiver is an ideal choice to collect data and inspect or manage assets using smart devices. The software-defined GNSS receiver is designed to be integrated into a wide range of applications—providing a dual-frequency, multi-constellation receiver. The mobile device receives dual-frequency signals from the plug-and-play Trimble DA1 digital antenna. The small size and light weight of the antenna makes it ideal to store in a car glove box or backpack, available for use on demand. By adding a Trimble Catalyst subscription, users have the flexibility to choose the level of accuracy to suit their application needs from meter level to centimeters.
"The addition of Trimble Catalyst expands our portfolio to address the needs of organizations that have adopted a workplace Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy for their businesses and individuals who periodically need accurate positioning to support various work activities. We are providing a simple, innovative solution to enable a new era of capabilities for a much broader base of field workers to collect high-accuracy geospatial data," said Ron Bisio, vice president of Trimble’s Geospatial Division. "Our focus is to provide a variety of options and flexibility when it comes to mobile device deployment and data collection to increase productivity and improve operations. Trimble Catalyst puts high-accuracy, low-cost, on-demand services in the palm of anyone’s hand—it’s revolutionary."
On-Demand, Convenient, Scalable and Accurate – Positioning-as-a-Service
Trimble Catalyst service is ushering in a new era of GNSS technology—Positioning-as-a-Service. It is available on-demand, convenient, affordable and easy to use. Users download applications to suit their business needs, purchase the low-cost DA1 digital antenna and subscribe to the level of service required for the application. For GNSS corrections, the solution automatically selects the best available correction service based on the user’s location and subscription level. Corrections powered by Trimble RTX™ technology and the Trimble VRS Now™ networks are supported. Trimble RTX corrections can be received either via IP/cellular connection or L-band satellite. The subscription cost is based on usage, allowing users to scale up/down for projects with minimal capital expense.
Trimble TerraFlex – Geospatial Data Collection
The first available application for the Trimble Catalyst service is the Trimble TerraFlex™ cloud-based mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) field software, enabling users to achieve up to centimeter-level accuracy.
Trimble TerraFlex is a scalable cloud-based solution for geospatial data collection. TerraFlex addresses a wide variety of field requirements including attribute-rich GIS data collection on consumer devices. With an intuitive interface and streamlined toolset for creating custom digital form templates, TerraFlex keeps the data flow standardized and streamlined from the field to the office.
Trimble TerraFlex allows a common interface for users across a range of common mobile and smart devices to provide robust, high-accuracy GNSS positioning and detailed asset attribution collection. Trimble’s Catalyst service for TerraFlex provides a new option for a higher level of accuracy for users’ workflows without the upfront investment of traditional hardware GNSS receivers. It is an ideal solution for scaling up to meet specific project demands and enabling a workforce to collect high-accuracy location in conjunction with other work tasks.
Availability
Trimble Catalyst service subscriptions and Catalyst DA1 antenna are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, a Software Development Kit (SDK) is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2016 for developers who are interested in developing new applications that use the Trimble Catalyst positioning on-demand service. For more information and updates, visit: www.catalyst.trimble.com. Trimble TerraFlex is also available now. For more information, visit: www.trimble-terraflex.com.
About Trimble’s Geospatial Division
Trimble’s Geospatial Division provides solutions that facilitate high-quality, productive workflows and information exchange, driving value for a global and diverse customer base of surveyors, engineering and GIS service companies, governments, utilities and transportation authorities. Trimble’s innovative technologies include integrated sensors, field applications, real-time communications and office software for processing, modeling and data analytics. Using Trimble solutions, organizations can capture the most accurate spatial data and transform it into intelligence to deliver increased productivity and improved decision-making. Whether enabling more efficient use of natural resources or enhancing the performance and lifecycle of civil infrastructure, timely and reliable geospatial information is at the core of Trimble’s solutions to transform the way work is done. For more information, visit: https://www.trimble.com/Industries/Geospatial/index.aspx.
About Trimble
Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming a broad range of industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.