Trimble: 40+ Years of Research & Technology Solutions

Backed by 40+ years of industry research, Trimble has become a leader in providing solutions that improve productivity and solve construction’s biggest challenges. GPS was the foundation of Trimble when it began in 1978. Today, the company has evolved to include a full suite of advanced design tools, accurate insights, real-time data, management software and more to set projects of all sizes up for success.

Joe Tomasino, director of sales and distribution for North America, has spent the last 13 years with Trimble in various roles — first, in software solutions, and currently as an expert in field/jobsite solutions.

“We play a big part in field solutions and connecting the office to the field,” Tomasino said. “The latest technology release is a field instrument called the Trimble Ri, built specifically for trade contractors to be able to leverage robotic technology for layout in the field and improve usability for an increased number of sheet metal companies and layout professionals operating the tool.”

The Trimble Ri is marketed as Trimble’s most scalable, accurate and automated Robotic Total Station. It boasts easy setup for faster efficient positioning with minimal training. This upgradeable tool includes built-in calibration along with expanded range and zoom levels — plus a new side-to-side search pattern for quick-lock onto prism, saving the operator time when searching for a target.

In addition to time savings, Trimble solutions are tirelessly developed and tested with the end user in mind. Often, their connected construction technologies can yield up to 30% cost savings and 50% less rework.

“As a technology partner, no one else does what we do. We continue to drive more innovation to get more accessibility,” Tomasino said. “It’s very easy for a sheet metal contractor to pick up the tablet and utilize a robot to bring data to and from the field as part of an improved workflow.”

Another recent technology release is the Trimble X7 — “a revolutionary 3D scanner that focuses on field collection data and quickly stitches it together,” Tomasino said. The X7 brings automatic calibration to the field, with full control on the jobsite by the same FieldLink software utilized to operate the Ri & RTS layout kits.

With all Trimble solutions, education is an important component. As an added value to SMACNA members, Trimble partners with the International Training Institute (iTi) to train the union workforce.

“We’ve found that the people going through the apprenticeship program really appreciate the technology and want to use it,” Tomasino said. “Of course, there’s the argument that robots are replacing workers, but that’s not the case. The robot is just augmenting the job and helping it run more efficiently. With the labor shortage, efficiency is the only way to improve everything.”

From safety and sustainability to collaboration and efficiency, Trimble’s solutions are designed to fit a variety of needs and budgets for construction owners, engineers, contractors, managers and more.