recommendation report

(

3361 Executive Parkway Suite 201 Toledo, OH 43606 May 05, 2009

Richard S. Harmon, P.E., RS. Senior Project Engineer Glass City Surveying Toledo, OH 43606

Dear Mr. Harmon:

Here is my report, Equipment Analysis for Glass City Surveying. In researching for this report, I have learned a great deal about the market for surveying equipment and the types of products being retailed. I believe that my research will help make this business decision a well informed one. I thank you wholeheartedly for your direction and guidance over the last few weeks.

The process of purchasing new equipment is a big decision for any company. That is why it is extremely important to familiarize oneself with the current market of products and choose the one that will have the most benefit for the company. This report will do so by outlining three different types of products, their cost, and their benefit to the company.

After thoroughly analyzing the current surveying equipment market, some new ideas have come to light. The current trends are moving away from the traditional methods of surveying and are experimenting with new technologies such as robotics and GPS. This is the direction our company needs to be headed. If we want to stay relevant in the increasing global market, we must be able to provide a surveying service that is more accurate and efficient than our leading competitors.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this proj ect and hope that you return to me for future research projects. If you have any questions, I can be reached at 740-506-2765.

Sincerely,

Associate Project Engineer

Equipment Analysis for

Glass City Surveying

For Richard S. Harmon, P.E., P.S.

Senior Project Engineer

B

Associate Project Engineer

May 5, 2009 Glass City Surveying

3361 Executive Parkway Suite 201

Toledo, Ohio 43606

Equipment Analysis i

Contents

FIGURES AND TABLES .............................................................................................................. ii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... iii

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

Background ............................................................................................................................... 1

Solutions .................................................................................................................................... 1

SOLUTION 1: INCREASED ACCURACY TOTAL STATION ................................................ 2

Product: CTS-205 Total Station ................................................................................................ 2

Advantages ........................................................................................................................... 2

Disadvantages ....................................................................................................................... 3

SOLUTION 2: ROBOTIC TOTAL STATION ........................................................................... 3

Product: Trimble 5605 DR200+ ................................................................................................ 3

Advantages .......................................................................................................................... 4

Disadvantages ....................................................................................................................... 5

SOLUTION 3: GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM ................................................................ 5

Product: Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System ................................................................. 6

Advantages ........................................................................................................................... 6

Disadvantages ...................................................................................................................... 6

RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................. 7

WORKS CITED ........................................................................................................................... 8

Equipment Analysis ii

Graphs and Figures

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Graph 1

CTS-205 Total Station ........................................................................................................ 2

Trimble 5605 DR200+ ........................................................................................................ 3

Surveyor .............................................................................................................................. 4

Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System ....................................................................... 6

Number of Months of Savings to Meet Initial Cost ................................................................................................................. 5

Equipment Analysis iii

Abstract

The necessity for higher accuracy surveys and other geodetic measurements has given way to increased innovation in the surveying equipment field. Glass City Surveying is in dire need of new surveying equipment as the current total stations are a decade old.

The three main types of surveying equipment on the market are: increased accuracy total stations, Robotic Total Stations (RTS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Increased accuracy total stations are very affordable, but are inefficient. Robotic Total Stations are versatile and very efficient. GPS systems are advanced systems, but are very expensive and are not very efficient.

This report analyzes a product solution from each type of product listed above. The proposed product for the increased accuracy total station is the CTS-205 Total Station. The proposed Robotic Total Station is the Trimble 5605 DR200+ Total Station. The proposed GPS system is the Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System.

The best solution for this company in the current economic climate is the Trimble 5605 DR200+. The increase in efficiency from the purchase of this product will pay for the initial cost in only 15 months.

Equipment Analysis 1

Equipment Analysis for Glass City Surveying

Introduction

The past 10 years have given way to increased innovation in the way land surveying and other geodetic measurements are completed. Topographies that used to take weeks to complete can now be completed in a matter of hours. New technology includes Robotic Total Stations (RTS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and increased accuracy total stations.

Background

It has been over ten years since Glass City Surveying has purchased new equipment. The current Topcon total stations were manufactured in 1997. As the market for surveying service intensifies, this company must retain its status as a key competitor in the greater Toledo area. This cannot be accomplished with worn out total stations that have suffered years of wear and tear and that repeatedly deliver the minimum FGCS accuracy rating.

The lack in quality of the work does not lie with the actual surveyors. In fact over 90 percent of the surveying teams are seasoned veterans who are very skilled at what they do. The problem is that the accuracy of the surveys today are the very same they were 10 years ago. This is unacceptable as product accuracy continues to increase from year to year. Clients of this company are striving for the most accurate of surveys and their requests must be met.

Solutions

Identifying the problem is only the first step. To suit its needs, this company will need to purchase a total of six total stations and data collectors. There are hundreds of products on the market that can suit this companies needs. However, a balance must be struck between versatility and financial feasibility. Proposed equipment must be held to the following limitations:

• Is this product versatile and easily operated? • Is this a financially feasible option for this company in the current economic climate? • What are the long term benefits for Glass City Surveying following the purchase of this

product?

This report will utilize consumer reviews and product data sheets to analyze the current technological trends in the surveying product market. Three possible business solutions will be proposed along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Following this, recommendations for the best possible solution will be made.

Equipment Analysis 2

Solution 1: Increased Accuracy Total Station

Increased accuracy total stations do exactly what their name says. They perform exactly as a traditional total station does; however, they are much more accurate than their earlier counter parts. These types of total stations are among the most inexpensive pieces of equipment on the market. However, they do not offer the same capabilities as other products on the market.

Product: CTS-205 Total Station

The CTS-205 Total Station, seen in Figure 1, offers a low-cost, easy to use equipment solution to the company. When referring to the CT8-205, as a target for the construction stakeout market, in his product review, A1 Pepling predicts, "I have concluded that it is well suited to that task, and in addition, I believe it will find much wider acceptance and usage, based on cost as well as value" (1).

Figure 1:CTS-205 Total Station (Source: Tiger Supplies)

At slightly under $10,000 per total station and data collector, this product is a very useful machine. The 5" angle accuracy of the unit is comparable to other pricier units. Its 30X telescope is very desirable as A1 Pepling explains, "the scope of the 30X telescope contains stadia hairs in the single hair top and right and double hair left and bottom configuration. I find the stadia hairs very useful when shooting utility poles, transformers, trees, etc., for picking out the center of these objects" (1). Also, this product's shooting range of 5249.33 feet for a single prism rod and 8202 feet for a triple prism rod sets it apart from other basic total stations.

Advantages

The most apparent advantage to purchasing the CTS-205 is the price. This total station is the least expensive of the three proposed solutions and would save the company in initial costs. Also the system's dual interface allows for ease of use for the surveyor, which cuts down on training time.

Equipment Analysis 3

Disadvantages

The downside to the CTS-205 is that the station is not reflector-less. This means that while the total station will be more accurate than the current total stations, the surveying teams will not be more efficient. They will have to use both prism rod persons and the level operator and the company must continue to pay their salaries.

Solution 2: Robotic Total Station

Over the last five years or so, the field of robotics has gradually mixed with the field of surveying and the result is the Robotic Total Station (RTS). David Cook defines this machine in, Robotic Total Stations and Remote Data Capture: Challenges m Construction, "Robotic Total Stations are survey instruments combining a theodolite (with Automatic Target Recognition) and electronic distance measurement, which can be operated remotely" (43). With the RTS, surveyors are now able to complete tasks that were otherwise unthinkable using traditional total stations.

Surveyors all over the world are using RTS and are achieving great results. For instance, scientists and engineers used an RTS to place 280,000 tons of rock at Scarborough Harbor on Britain's coast to restore one of its largest coastal protection schemes. Also engineers in the UK are discovering RTS's ability for long term monitoring of existing structures by utilizing its remote data capture feature. By setting up prism rods at various points on a structure, structural movements can be tracked in real time.

Product: Trimble 5605 DR200+ Total Station

The Trimble 5605 DR200+ Total Station, seen in Figure 2, is one of the finest RTS on the market. This system uses Autolock and Direct Reflex capabilities to tackle any survey. Although it is on the expensive side at $34,000, the system is completely customizable, allowing this company to select the exact RTS to meet its needs.

Figure 2: Trimble 5605 DR200+ (Source: Trimble)

Equipment Analysis 4

One of the key features of this instrument is Direct Reflex. Direct reflex allows the field surveyor to take a reflector-less shot from over 600 feet to over 1900 feet depending on which Kodak Gray Card is selected for the unit. When using the single prism rod, readings can be taken at a staggering 18,040 feet away.

Another key component is robotic data capture. It is used with an infrared prism rod to attain the highest accuracy in any climate. The prism rod emits an infrared signal, which is picked up by the total station's Autolock feature. The total station takes the measurement and sends the data via wireless connection to a data collector or tablet PC. This allows for a single person to hold the infrared prism rod and data collector apparatus (see Figure 3) and collect data via wireless connection as they move from point to point.

Figure 3: Surveyor takes measurements remotely using infrared prism rod and Trimble Recon

data collector (Source: Adventures of Greg)

Advantages

The key advantage to the Trimble 5605 DR200+ is definitely the robotic data capture capability. Trimble highlights this on their product data sheet, "Robotic operation offers the same advantages as Autolock, in addition, it allows you to move efficiently during stakeout and/or work with one less person" (2). This means that the existing six survey teams with a total of 18 surveyors can be slimed down to 12 members. With the average rod person's salary totaling $28,000 a year, that is a savings of over $160,000 a year.

Equipment Analysis 5

This company will save $14,000 a month from the unneeded employees. The following graph (Graph 1) shows the fiscal time line that it would take to pay offthe initial $204,000 for the total stations.

Savings in Payroll From Six Employees

250000

200000

=ÿ 150000

o') -o 100000

50000 Q.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12131415

Month

Graph 1: Number of months of savings to meet initial cost

As one can see it would take only 15 months to pay offthe initial cost of the six total stations from the savings in revenue.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage to using the Trimble 5605 DR200+ is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation of radio frequencies. For instance, if a survey is taking place in a populated area, 911 frequencies or even fast food restaurant frequencies could override the wireless communication between the total station and the data collector.

Another disadvantage involves the remote data capture. By definition, being remote will mean that the user could be hundreds of feet to a few miles away from the actual total station. Depending on the location of the survey, there could be an increased chance of vandalism or theft.

Solution 3: Global Positioning System

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are the newest and most advanced products on the market. They utilize the many satellites that are currently orbiting around the earth and plot coordinates based on the position of the receiver to the base. Due to the use of these satellites, the surveys completed with the GPS systems are some of the most accurate surveys around.

Equipment Analysis 6

Product: Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System

The Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System, seen in Figure 4, is one of the most cost-effective GPS systems on the market. At just under $40,000 for a complete set, the system offers an affordable and accurate business solution.

Figure 4: Complete Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System (Source: iTrade Market)

This instrument utilizes the highly accurate GPS L1/L2 technology to take measurements. The systems 24 available channels prevent the potential for frequency interference and allow for smooth, efficient work. Another feature of this system is the Bluetooth adapter, which allows for a virtually cable-free work environment at the rover.

Advantages

One big advantage to the EPOCH 25 GPS System is its ease of use. As the Spectra Precision data sheet explains, "The software is extremely user-friendly, allowing new GPS users to reach maximum productivity in a short time. You and your survey crews can start smweying with GPS without significant downtime for training" (2). This is extremely useful as time is extremely valuable in business.

Another advantage is the systems ability to take measurements without a line of sight. The other two total stations require a direct line if sight to the prism rod with no obstructions. This feature can be very beneficial, especially when working in the dark and in bad weather.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage to this system has to be the power management system. Shawn Billings discusses this in his product review, "I could charge the rover overnight and the next day the rover would indicate it was fully charged, however, within 20 or 30 minutes, it would indicate that it was at half capacity. I was able to work for three and a half hours. I don't know if the problem was in the

Equipment Analysis 7

battery itself or in the power management system within the receiver that determines when the battery is fully charged, but it was annoying" (2). This problem could be disastrous for our productivity, if crews can only work for three and a half hours at a time.

Another disadvantage is the cost of the system. The system itself provides no extra savings or efficiency from our current system and the price tag is one of the most expensive on the market. This system change could have a disastrous effect on this companies bottom line.

Recommendations

After thoroughly analyzing the consumer reports and data sheets, I feel that The Trimble 5605 DR200+ Robotic Total Station is the best option for Glass City Surveying. The projected savings from the increase in efficiency must not go unnoticed.

This product meets all the criterion that was set at the beginning of research. The product is versatile and easily operated by the surveying teams. It is financially feasible as it will pay for itself in less than 15 months. Also, it provides long term benefits for the company by increasing our productivity substantially.

The Trimble 5605 is the logical choice for this company at this point in time. That is why I am recommending the immediate order of six total stations and data collectors. The projected savings definitely outweigh the cost in this situation.

Equipment Analysis 8

Works Cited

Tigersupplies.com. "CST/Berger Electronic Total Station." 30 April 2009. <http://www.tigersupplies.com/>. Path : Home; Surveying Equipment; Total Stations and Accessories; Total Stations.

"Trimble 5600 DR Total Station Series." geotech-co.com. 2003.30 April 2009 <http ://www. geotech- co.com/Total%20Stations/Datasheets&specifications5800.pdf>.

"New prop - 1/2 km!hr faster!". Adventuresofgreg.com. 14 May 2007.30 April 2009 <http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/2007 05 14 archive.html>.

"GPS RTK Systems". First Order Measurement Solutions, Inc. 30 April 2009 <http://www.firstorder.ca!GPS-RTK-Svstems.page>

"Trimble 5605 DR200+ Total Station". Your Precision. 2005.28 April 2009 <http ://www.yourprecision.coirdgraphics/Data%20Sheet%20205605.pd .f>.

Pepling, Al. "CST/berger CST-Series Total Station." American Surveyor Magazine. December 2007. 29 April 2009 <http://www.amerisurv.com/PDF/TheAmericanSurveyor_Pepling-

CST205 December2007.pdf>.

Billings, Shawn. "Spectra Precision EPOCH 25 GPS System." American Surveyor Magazine. January 2009. 1 May 2009 <http://www.amerisurv.com/PDF/TheAmericanSurvevor Billings- Epoch25Review January2009.pdf>.

Cook, David. "Robotic Total Stations and Remote Data Capture: Challenges in Construction." Geotechnical Instrumentation News. December 2006.30 April 2009 <http://www.infomine.com/publications/docs/Cook2006.pdf>.

Nutall, Edmund. "Protecting Scarborough Harbor." Korec Group. 30 April 2009 <http://www.korecgroup.com/files/downloads file-89.pdf>.

"EPOCH L1/L2 GPS System." KSS Inc. 2007. 1 May 2009 <http://www.kssinc.biz/pdf/epoch25 specsheet.pdf>.