Technology boosts opportunities for surveying equipment dealers

As the lines blur between surveying and GIS, dealers can strategically reposition into both service and product sellers

 “Bob” is a fictitious project manager for Urban City, USA—and he has a problem that just begs to be solved. The mayor has tasked Bob to complete two missions. First, Bob needs to create survey plats for all of the municipal parks in Urban City. Secondly, the mayor wants a comprehensive geographic city map of all streets and several municipal assets—light poles, fire hydrants, drainage inlets and sewer manholes.

If Bob had posed his problem to the inside sales rep at his local survey dealer just two or three years ago, he probably would have been told, “Sorry, Bob. We do not offer surveying or GIS services. We only sell survey instruments. ”

But today, Bob might get an answer like, “Yes, we can definitely help you with that task. We own a mobile mapping system and we can actually collect the data you need. Tell me a little more about the scope and requirements for your project. I will get our mobile mapping specialist to work up a quote for you. We would also be glad to provide a demo of our equipment for the surveying work that you are planning.

http://www10.giscafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?articleid=1040831