Trimble Geo 7 : Introduction

Editor's Notes

• #2: Hello,Welcome to this presentation on the Trimble Geo 7X handheld.The next 30 minutes describes the main benefits of choosing the Trimble Geo 7X as your dedicated handheld data collection platform.This presentation describes the main features of the Geo 7X and the productivity advantages that you will enjoy by choosing the Trimble advantage.
• #3: I want to begin by describing the overall Trimble GeoExplorer family of products.Trimble has a rich history of successful rugged and robust integrated handheld data collectors which currently comprises three separate classes of product - the Geo 5 series and the GeoExplorer 6000 series, and of course the Geo 7 series.The Geo 5T is our entry level submeter integrated handheld, deliver all the user needs for efficient data collection in an integrated package.The GeoExplorer 6000 series comprises the GeoXT and GeoXH handheld for mapping workflows, and is designed to deliver the accuracy you need, anywhere you need it.Both the Geo 5 Geo 6000 series are widely supported by Trimble’s suite of GIS software and deliver industry leading workflows for the modern field operator.The newest member of the GeoExplorer family is the Trimble Geo 7X handheld. The Geo7X takes everything that has been good and successful about the Geo6000, and improves upon it. Fundamentally, it is based on the same platform, but is a complete refresh, and gives field operators and platform that we like to think it is ready for anything they can throw at it.
• #4: To help understand the real benefits of the Geo 7X, it is helpful to take a step back and to look at the problems that users like you are trying to solve.
• #5: The GeoExplorer platform is centred on the problem of collecting great, accurate data.The key to understanding what it means to do this well is to understand the answer to the fundamental question – why collect data in the first place?There’s so much out there, why do it? Why do it again and again?
• #6: It boils down to this:Knowing where things are, and what state there in has an intrinsic value.As a customer, if I you have the right data, you can act on it. you can make decisions, you can move forward. You can make the world or your company a better, safer place. You can save your organisations money. You could even save lives.
• #7: But more than this. If you know exactly where everything is, that makes your decision making faster, better, and adds value to the data you have collected. And so that has always been the mission for the GeoExplorer product line – to make the acquisition and verification of that data as good as it could possibly be.At Trimble, our goal has always been to pack as much value in to give the user as much power to collect as much good data as possible.
• #8: Historically the primary motivation for the GeoExplorer was to provide an integratedsolution that delivered the most accurate possible positioning capability in a handheld form factor.We started with fairly modest performance, and overtime this improved to the levels we achieve today – centimeter level resultsBut in the last 5 years or so, the focus has changed. And the focus has been gradually moving away from accuracy, to something a little harder to define…
• #9: To the search for productivity…
• #10: I talk to a lot of customers and users, and I like to try to understand what it is that makes them tick.One of my favourite questions to ask how they describe productivity for the work they do.I really like this description of productivity because I think it summarizes nicely want productivity means in the data collection context in a single sentence.“Being able to map all my assets first time,every time, anywhere I need to work…”I forget who it was specifically that came up with this, but this really latches on the to key points. 1/ All my assets2/ First time, every timeAnd3/ ANYWWHERE I need to work.We used this phrase as a key to defining some of the technology that went into building the Geo 7X.
• #11: One of the great benefits of the Geo 6000 was greater productivity, and the Floodlight technology is a hugely successful approach.But in the Geo 7X we wanted to go further.
• #12: And top of the list for this product is to deliver something that will allow the user to get the job done. No matter what.
• #17: The point is that there are lots of different things that can get in your way.On top of that (and especially for NEW data collection projects – but to a large extent, maintenance tasks too) , you often don’t really know what to expect.Which is really my point. Anything CAN and usually will happen. …
• #18: So being productive really come back to being able to deliver on a few key concepts…Todays geospatial field data worker is being truly productive:You can collect GISdata in the places you work -- no matter where that is.You can collect GIS data quickly and with the least amount of effort and expense.You can collect GIS data at the level of accuracy and quality required by your organisation.The best advice we can give is to equip field operators with the tools they need that prepare them for any circumstance. Give your field worker options. And be ready. So that no matter what, they can be productive.
• #19: And that is why we have built the Geo 7X handheld. The GeoExplorer that is ready for anything. A geospatial platform that we believe delivers true productivity.The Geo 7X includes Floodlight, which we all know about already.For the first time, we have integrating a laser range finder module, and by integrating the workflows that can access the rangefinder with Trimble’s field software (or what we are have christened “Flightwave technology” workflows) field workers can collect data about features without being forced to physically occupy the same location as the feature itself, with a single field tool. More about that in a minute.The Geo 7X is delivering upgraded GNSS support delivering a compelling future-proof investmentFor the first time, we are offering an upgrade path from submeter right through to centimeter on a single platformAnd of course the Geo platform is powerful, ergonomic and rugged. The system has been rebuilt with higher specifications and better performing integrated features. It’s the best Geo we have ever built.And finally, the Geo 7X has broad software support across the portfolio, and Pete will talk more about that towards the end of this presentation.In summary, being configurable to match any requirements, integrating the most advanced technologies, and compatible with the widest variety of Trimble software solutions, the Trimble Geo 7X is the most versatile, professional data collection handheld on the market.”That’s the story of the product, the story we want you to take the channel, and the story we wan the channel to take to our customers. I want to now spend a little time looking at the customer benefits of the new functionality, and key features and improvements delivered in the Geo 7X platform.
• #20: Starting with Flightwave workflow integration.Flightwave workflows are enabled on the Geo 7X when the modular laser rangefinder accessory is attached. Which as you can see attaches neatly under the antenna dome of the Geo 7X using a custom designed interface.
• #21: When attached, the rangefinder module is completely concealed and is so light-weight if is almost hard to tell that its there, but it is a powerful module that with Flightwave enables a lot of new functionality.
• #22: The key feature enabled by the Geo 7X with rangefinder and Flightwave is the idea of being able to map everywhere and overcoming the physical barriers to productive fieldwork
• #25: Or simply places that are dangerous to be in.
• #26: Using Flightwave, obstructions like these can be avoided. You just need to get close enough that you can see your target. Aim at the target feature, measure the offset and capture the feature, and get moving again. It’s simple.With Flightwave, field operators can actually lower the time it takes to capture data. Instead of traversing a street heading up one side, and down the other capturing features as he goes, Flightwave workflows allow you to capture both sides of the street as you work.
• #27: Instead of wading through streams, wetlands or other difficult environments, field workers can stand to the side, and capture features at a convenient distance.
• #28: Instead of walking up to every single feature, stand in a single location and map multiple objects from the same spot.Each time you use a Flightwave workflow, you can eliminate ‘traversing time’ and take seconds, or even minutes off the time it takes to collect every single feature.
• #29: And best of all, the rangefinder module and Flightwave workflows are easy to setup and easy to operate. The module simply attaches to the handheld, and is instantly recognised by the operating system, no pairing, no port configuration, no batteries, no fuss. Flightwave workflows are enabled through either the bundled Rangefinder utility that comes free with the handheld and can interface with any application that can receive data from external sensors, or alternatively the Flightwave workflows integrated directly into the TerraFlex software suite.
• #30: A wide range of workflows are supported to accommodate a range of different environments and asset types. We are really excited about this new capability, and it is just the beginning.There is so much more that can be achieved with this technology, and it is all driving greater productivity, simplicity and preparedness for all field operators.
• #31: Floodlight technology was the mainstay of the Geo 6000 and continues in the Geo 7X.The basic gist of Floodlight technology is that by combining a range of GNSS productivity enhancing techniques rather than using one or two techniques in isolation, that fantastic improvements in GNSS productivity can be achieved.
• #32: The key ideas being that in obstructions like tree canopy…
• #33: Or buildings or other man-made structures cast satellite shadows.They restrict the view of the GNSS satellites above, and limit the amount of time that good positions can be determined.
• #34: Floodlight works to reduce the effect that these obstacles have by increasing position yield and position accuracy in these conditions.It’s a key part of the productivity story, and goes hand-in-hand with the Geo 7X and Flightwave workflows in terms helping to achieve the same key outcome – productivity in as many environments as possible.
• #35: Floodlight technology uses three specific strategiesto improve GNSS productivity in semi-obstructed environments.Multi-constellation positioning. Beginning with GPS & GLONASS, but now with the Geo 7X we will begin to see even more constellations and satellites used in the corrected position solutionAltitude constrained positioning – so using additional sensor data to augment and supplement GNSS measurements to limit the effect of weakened constellations and satellite geometryAnd finally a high sensitivity positioning engine designed specifically for operation in conditions where satellite signals are weak and noisy. The result is dramatic improvements in position yield, reductions in spiking and overall improvements in accuracy compared to non-Floodlight techniques.
• #36: Fundamentally, the technology of Floodlight is the same on the Geo 7X as it is on the Geo 6000 series and a key part of that is the ability to use multiple GNSS constellations at once to determine a position. Which leads to the next key functional area. GNSS support.The GNSS tracking capabilities of the Geo 7X have been extended from the Geo6000, to include all four of the GNSS constellationsGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo.The receiver also supports the regional Japanese GPS augmentation QZSS as a standard, and the two newly supported GNSS (Galileo and BeiDou) are enabled through the Floodlight option.Today, base station support and correction format support for the new constellations is admittedly limited, but this is expected to change over the next year or so as base stations are modernized and the constellations increase the number of satellites in the sky.The value proposition that the Geo7X brings is that it is an investment that works today and is ready for the future too.
• #37: One of the key differences between the Geo 7X and previous generations is that with the 7 series, we are offering a single hardware variant.SO it can be configured to meet your immediate needs, and is upgradeable as your requirements develop over time.The base configuration can be enhanced with firmware upgrades, and a range of hardware accessories to allow the customer to configuration the system to their needs.
• #38: The Geo 7X update is supported with industry-leading mechanical and electronic design and system performance in a form-factor that addresses the demands of the modern, mobile field worker. We based the Geo 7X on the success of the Geo 6000, and enhanced it with updated components. The product is unapologetically rugged and robust, and designed take the field conditions imaginable. Key updates include: A new 5MP camera with brighter colour and improved zoom handling A brand new processor, and doubled RAM and storage capacity from the previous model For the first-time we can support CDMA mode for Verizon customers in the US We’ve maintained the Geo’s ruggedness rating - even with the new rangefinder module, and it is all independently verified and certified against the industries toughest environmental and safety standards.
• #40: The Geo 7X is powered by Windows embedded handheld 6.5, and includes a number of OS customizations to improve and tailor the experience of using the device towards the needs of the modern fieldworker.Trimble Home ScreenCompass utilitySystem reportSystem information appletRangefinder alignment toolSensor calibration toolModem mode switchOption override toolRangefinder utilityPower menuCameraHome/Power key behaviourCamera/Rangefinder key behaviour
• #41: The vision around our November releases is centered on the Geo7 platform. All of the GIS software products have been updated to enable and support the key values of this new platform: the integrated laser rangefinder and the updated constellation support.
• #42: The list of software developed or enhanced for this platform include the following:A new rangefinder utilityTerraFlexTerraSyncGPS Pathfinder OfficePositions Software suiteGPS controllerRadio Activation ManagerGNSS Connector
• #43: The Rangefinder utility is an included (meaning no-cost) utility for working with the integrated laser rangefinder. The rangefinder utility is designed to be a single interface to the hardware across all the software products, or for use with any external program via NMEA streams. The rangefinder utility includes a comprehensive set of offset capabilities shown here on the right: offsets, heights, widths, and some basic measurement units. Additionally, the rangefinder was designed to clearly guide users through the necessary collection steps and in a wizard like fashion, making it very easy to learn and ensuring the user is collecting the right measurement at the right time.
• #45: With the November release of TerraFlex we have added capabilities for decimeter datacollections for the Geo 7X. There is really no other cross platform data collection suite that can support iOS, Android, and WEHH at a decimeter level (of course, depending on the device’s capabilities). With TerraFlex, you also have the ability to manage all real-time DGPS configurations in one place, and deploy to the entire fleet with a single click.
• #46: As noted earlier, the laser rangefinder utility supports fits seamlessly into the TerraFlex field app. In the form definition template in the office, the user can configure fields to be specific to width, height, etc. to ensure the user is pulling in the right measurements.
• #49: Coupled with your choice of Trimble software with the Trimble Geo 7X you have the ability to mitigate physical barriers to field success and you can expect predictable improvements in field productivity. Be it obstructed satellites or inaccessible locations, you have what you need to succeed no matter what. Stay on target, no matter what, with the Trimble Geo 7 series.
• #50: So to re-iterate the portfolio view for GeoExplorer will look like this:The Geo 5T is our entry level submeter integrated handheld, deliver all the user needs for efficient data collection in an integrated package.The GeoExplorer 6000 series comprises the GeoXT and GeoXH handheld for mapping workflows, and the GeoXR network rover for Survey and is designed to deliver the accuracy you need, anywhere you need it.Both the Geo 5 Geo 6000 series are widely supported by Trimble’s suite of GIS and Survey software and deliver industry leading workflows for the modern field operator.And finally The Geo7X takes everything that has been good and successful about the Geo6000, and improves upon it. Delivering a single-device ready for anything solution for the smart geospatial professional.
• #51: And there we have the Geo 7X handheld.With Floodlight and Flightwave the Geo 7 is delivering the most productive integrated handheld we’ve every built.