The Technology Center
Network Mapping is unique in our industry, in that all client-focused activities are carried out internally by a dedicated team of technicians, engineers and project managers. This ‘no-outsourcing’ approach allows complete control over workflows and process, and facilitates continuing innovation in key industry sectors. The focal point of this activity is found in our ‘Technology Center’ – a hub of 50+ people who exist to serve the business on current projects, and conduct forward-looking research and development activities.
The Technology Center boasts state-of-the-art IT facilities, with high-capacity data servers, networking and parallel computing. It is structured around 6 key groups, with that structure designed to efficiently carry out project tasks and support activities:
• The Operations Support Group provides 24-hour support to field survey crews and prepares logistics and flight planning material.
• The Project Support Group provides direct technical contact with clients, analyzing and understanding survey characteristics - such as transmission network layout and product deliverables - and contributing to workflow design.
• The Remote Sensing Team takes aerial LiDAR, downward and oblique photography, video, aerial weather and thermal imagery, and prepares extremely accurate datasets ready for further analysis.
• The GIS/Mapping Team specializes in LiDAR point classification and topographic feature mapping, taking cartographic and engineering outputs into GIS and CADD systems.
• The Powerline Engineering Team designs, models and analyzes high-voltage power systems, to produce accurate as-built models, optimized new-build layouts and behavioral and performance characteristics (displayed in geospatial formats), and plan drawings and reports.
• The Research and Development Group is focused on anticipating industry needs and creating new products and services, to better serve our clients. They contribute to industry publications and events, adding to public domain knowledge and ensuring our Technology Center remains on the cutting edge.
This centralized arrangement facilitated development of our unique-in-industry systems, to drive the large-scale, quick-turnaround projects our clients require. The Technology Center has designed and implemented a proprietary workflow design and data management system, which allows very large and complex projects containing millions of files and terrabytes of data to be efficiently processed – this ensures efficient and correct product delivery. This system also allows client end-products to determine custom processing workflows and the characteristics of in-field data capture, allowing flexibility and the ability to meet our client’s needs, exactly.
The Technology Center ensures that each and every project is planned and executed to maximum effectiveness, producing world-class geospatial and engineering products.