Trimble Dimensions 2009 takes a hard look at opportunities in a tough economy
If attendance is the standard by which user conferences are measured, then
"In the middle of a recession, when everyone is cutting back, I think this is a huge affirmation to the belief in the value of the technology, and the commitment to staying engaged with the technology even during the toughest of times," Berglund said.
"The tone of the meeting was also impressive because the attendees were very serious, highly motivated people," Berglund added. "I found it incredibly encouraging."
The global economic downturn was one of the first topics discussed at the conference, during Berglund's keynote address on Monday morning entitled 'Pursuing Vision - While Running for Your Life.'
"Maintaining vision in bad times is good business," explained Berglund, calling the slow economy an "opportunity of a lifetime" for smart companies who can be leading change while "the competition is looking for a bunker to hide in." Berglund noted that there would be winners and losers in the process and the winners will be the companies that have the vision to adapt to this new environment and find the opportunities that continue to drive success.
In addition to Berglund, other keynote speakers at the conference, including Dr Robert Kriegel, author of the international bestseller If it ain't broke...BREAK IT!, and Richard Teerlink, former Chairman of Harley-Davidson, also encouraged attendees to be innovative to take advantage of opportunities in a tough economy.
"We are not going to hunker down and wait this thing out," Berglund stated, confirming that Trimble was taking its own advice. "We are going to take advantage of this opportunity."
"This is a significant opportunity for Trimble, even in a recession, to sell return on investment," Berglund continued in a follow-up interview, noting that Trimble is targeting contractors with positive cash flow who can use the technology to significantly boost productivity and reduce costs to improve their competitive position. More than 300 conference sessions across multiple specialty tracks supported this strategy, focusing on the ways contractors can increase productivity in the field and the office, complete projects faster and lower their costs.
At Trimble Dimensions 2009, it appeared that the economy is not slowing down Trimble, which debuted several new construction technologies at the conference.
One of the stars of the conference was Trimble's Connected Site, a concept in which the company has invested more than $700 million since 2000. The objective of the Connected Site, which was demonstrated both in the exhibition hall and off site, is to break down information silos and get data to the stakeholders on the construction site, streamlining construction workflows between the head office, field crews, site supervisors and earthmoving machines.
The new Trimble Tablet for Construction, officially introduced at Trimble Dimensions 2009, is an integral component in the
Connected Site. The tablet is a handheld computer with a rugged design for the heavy and highway construction site. Running Trimble SCS900 Site Controller and Trimble Construction Manager applications, the tablet is highly mobile, and can be mounted
in a vehicle or carried to anywhere on the site. With built-in cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity, the tablet enables users to quickly receive design changes or updates in the field and convey measurement or stakeout results back to the office for approvals.
As part of the Connected Site, the company also released Trimble Construction Manager version 2.3, a remote construction asset management software. The new release includes Trimble Construction Manager Asset Data Sharing, the first solution developed via the new Trimble and
Trimble also introduced the Spectra Precision Laser LR20 receiver for both elevation and depth grade control.
Designed for the cost-conscious site prep contractor, the new LR20 laser receiver can improve the productivity of compact construction equipment by providing better grading accuracy and more accurate material usage on the construction site, says Trimble.
"Now operators of small equipment such as mini excavators, backhoes, and small dozers can grade with the same accuracy and productivity enhancements as larger machines," says the company.
The LR20 laser receiver allows smaller construction equipment to achieve tighter tolerances without the need for a grade checker. From simple ditches to sloping trenches, a small or medium-sized contractor can broaden the scope of job applications and very easily move the laser receivers across their fleets of compact machines, offering a very attractive return-on-investment.
The Spectra Precision Laser LR20 is a standalone display receiver for mini excavators, backhoes, scrapers, skid steer attachments, box blades, and small dozers.
It is powered by NiMH rechargeable batteries or direct machine power.
Typical site preparation applications for the LR20 include landscaping, curb and gutter, concrete flatwork, storm drains, utility, and sewage. It can be moved from machine to machine with features and setup options for multiple applications and specifications.
The introductions of all these new technologies and upgrades supported one of Trimble's main messages at the conference - contractors can leverage Trimble technologies to be more productive and complete projects faster with less cost, which Berglund cites as important competitive differentiators in a challenging economy.
Trimble Dimensions 2009 also highlighted the global reach of Trimble, hosting attendees from 67 countries. Not only is the user base growing internationally, but the company as well. In his keynote, Berglund described the emerging face of Trimble as a true international company.
"We are building up our international footprint all the time," Berglund added in a follow-up interview. "We view ourselves fundamentally as an international company, operating everywhere. Much of our product development activity is oriented toward an international market, which is elemental to our strategy."
Compared to 10 years ago, when Trimble had three primary locations - California, New Zealand and the UK - the company now has operations in 20 countries including South Africa, China and India. Berglund also mentioned that Trimble is in the process of opening an office in Nairobi, Kenya, and other announcements coming in the next 12 months will reinforce the international growth trend at Trimble.
Australia-based Quantm, a Trimble company, serves as an example of Trimble's international perspective, with new major engagements in China and Brazil. Quantm was present at the conference demonstrating its road and rail route optimisation system that enables infrastructure planners to manage complex environmental and community issues, and substantially reduce alignment construction cost. At the conference, Quantm talked with attendees about a new feature to its software that allows operators to make adjustments in alignments and visualise the impacts of those changes in real time.
The Partners Pavilion at Trimble Dimensions 2009 also highlighted the company's other international connections, featuring partners such as Applanix, Crain, Geo 3D, INPHO, Meridian Systems, Pacific Crest, RolleiMetric, SECO, Tripod Data Systems, TopoSys and XYZ Solutions.
