Force Multiplier

约翰·休赛里奇（John Hugerich）仍然记得使用基站，并为每个库存计算和洪水高程建立本地网络。这个过程繁琐且耗时，总部位于美国新泽西州的Hugerich Construction的项目经理通常希望以更快，更轻松的方式完成工作。

That was two years ago. Today, Hugerich relies almost exclusively on theHXGN SmartNetnetwork for tasks requiring RTK corrections.

“It allows you to get your correction data and all of your state plane coordinates right there, so it makes life a lot easier,” he says. “Just being able to run out to a jobsite and get a quick stockpile quantity or double check an existing elevation for estimates has been a really big help in bidding jobs and completing jobs on time and on budget.”

Hugerich isn’t alone. As contractors seek ways to become more efficient and productive, an increasing number of companies are replacing some of their base stations with network subscriptions—and reaping the benefits of this approach.

Increased accessibility, reliability and efficiency

Surveyors have long used GNSS networks to save time and money as well as remove potential sources of error. Instead of hauling around two GPS receivers (a base and a rover), a lot of batteries and cables, two radios, a tripod and a pole, and setting up their own local base for each project, network users simply carry a GPS or GNSS receiver (rover) with a modem or a mobile phone and use that equipment to quickly access a network of permanent reference stations. The combined data from those permanent stations is used to generate RTK corrections and provide accurate positioning at much greater distances than normally possible.

使用网络节省了时间，因为它阻止了单独的基站的设置，并且避免了由于损坏或被盗而导致控制失败的风险。它还由于项目在项目过程中被撞到或撞倒时，由于基本站的设置不正确或更换而导致的潜在错误。对于承包商来说，它提供了能够从事他们准备出价的工作的能力，也许是在其他地方使用的基地，并迅速检查高程和数量以保护利润率。

In the past, having access to a reliable, precise network on a construction site was not a given. Contractors using GPS were almost always forced to set up their own local base stations to ensure accuracy. Over the last few years, however, substantial technology investments by the networks over the last several years, along with an increase in service capabilities, have made networks an attractive alternative for contractors seeking to take their productivity to the next level.

For example, HxGN SmartNet in North America, which is regarded by many contractors and surveyors as the most reliable RTK correction network, has added a number of new support tools and hundreds of new reference stations in the last two years alone. It now has more than 1,300 sites, providing GNSS correction data coverage both GPS only and GPS and GLONASS coverage to 44 states and eight Canadian provinces, and it continues expanding rapidly.

增加的可用性与使用网络的好处相结合，正在推动建筑承包商以创纪录的数字注册订阅。HXGN SmartNet在2016年下半年看到了承包商的订阅，而2017年已经有望超越这些数字。

For most contractors, it’s the simplicity and speed of the network that is the most appealing. “I can hand a receiver to one of my operators and give him a quick tutorial on what he needs to do, and then go back to the office,” says Hugerich. “Once he’s onsite and gives me his coordinates, I can double check remotely to make sure everyone is on the same coordinates and that everything is running the way it should be. Ease of use is a really big thing.”

美国缅因州的大通（Chase）发掘的米卡·索耶（Micah Sawyer）表示，使用HXGN SmartNet简化了他的公司的布局。他说：“这是快速而轻松的，这使我们在工作方面更有生产力。”

Partnership approach helps ensure success

Advances in how networks serve the construction market are also contributing to the rise in network subscriptions. For example, base stations are still required for most machine control finishing operations to ensure vertical accuracy. HxGN SmartNet, however, recently rolled out a convenient site licensing option that allows contractors to purchase a single license for multiple rovers and machines on a project. With each site license, the service works closely with the contractor to densify the network so that the accuracies needed by machine control are achieved. The savings from not having to purchase a base station and repeaters provides a significant advantage. The larger the project, the greater the gains in efficiency.

Overall, the benefits of network subscriptions combined with the quality of service are leading to increased confidence and widespread adoption by contractors. “The increased efficiency of using a network really makes this the next logical step in construction,” Sawyer says.

A version of this story first appeared inxyht.

HXGN SmartNet, based on Leica Geosystems GNSS technology, is the GNSS correction service built on the largest reference station network in the world that brings the highest precision results. HxGN SmartNet continues to provide trusted GNSS data over more than 4,000 reference stations worldwide. The new naming of HxGN SmartNet reflects the ability of combining Leica Geosystems technology with other Hexagon businesses. Login procedures will not change, and users will be able to continue their service seamlessly.