Page 10 - W M Donald Newsletter - Edition Eleven

Since it was founded in 1978 in Sunnyvale, California, Trimble Inc has grown to become a world leader in a range of technologies including positioning, modelling, connectivity, and data analytics. The Trimble mission is to transform the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Trimble claims to have over 2,000 patents, research and development centres in fifteen countries, and a turnover of over $3bn in 2020.
Dwayne Rosie first joined Trimble in 2001, after completing a degree in surveying from the University of Otago on New Zealand’s South Island. After three years away from Trimble, including a spell as a tunnel surveyor on the Cross City Tunnel in Sydney, Dwayne rejoined the company in 2007. After eleven years in the UK, Dwayne returned to Australia in September 2018 to take up the role of Director Technology, Strategy and Architecture ANZ.
When did you first come across W M Donald?
I think you’d have to ask Mike (Meldrum) for an exact date, but I believe it was around 2011. W M Donald already used Trimble GPS and total stations for land surveying and 3-D machine control systems. The company was interested in investigating the potential of what Trimble calls the ‘connected site’.
What is the ‘connected site’?
In simple terms, ‘connected site’ links the construction site with W M Donald’s surveyors and engineers in the head office in Netherley.
A 3-D machine control system is installed on the excavator, alongside a modem with a cellular connection. In the office, design software creates a 3-D model of the site plans. This information is uploaded to the cloud and is sent to the control system in the excavator. The excavator is able to complete the earthworks plan to exceptionally high levels of accuracy.
Before W M Donald invested in the ‘connected site’, I recall Mike would drive round to different sites with the plans for each on USB sticks.
What were your impressions of W M Donald?
I must admit I was impressed with W M Donald.
Mike and the team were quick to recognise the benefits the ‘connected site’ could deliver, not only for their own operations but also for their sub-contractors and clients. Once they gained confidence in it, they totally embraced the technology. I would go as far as to say that W M Donald is now operating at the leading edge of digital technology as it applies to construction.
For example, I demonstrated Trimble’s SiteVision to Mike when it was still in its beta phase. SiteVision uses augmented reality (AR) to integrate 3-D digital models with the real world. I know Mike has generated considerable interest on social media with his AR videos.
During my time dealing with W M Donald, I admired their commitment to innovation. They invested in many aspects of their operations over and above the
Trimble technology.
10
27m Tanks
Mike Meldrum trialling the Trimble SiteVision
The BIG
Interview
DWAYNE ROSIE