System Integration
Technology
The diversity in the methods and systems that are used for deformation monitoring has increased considerably over the past decade and driving that change is technology. Technology is allowing us manage our risk in so many more ways now and the range of solutions is still growing. Already there is Radar, Lidar, GNSS, satellite imagery, manual and/or automated monitoring of prisms, inclinometers, extensometers, peizometers, tiltmeters, weather stations, CCTV cameras, the list goes on...
If any of this technology is relatively new to a person or group, it can be difficult just figuring out where to start! Pangea Geosystems can explain the strengths and weaknesses of the different technology commonly used for deformation monitoring and might assist you in determining which methods are most appropriate for your particular situation or budget.
Componentry
Often it is a combination of different systems that are used together in order to cover all areas of concern. Integrating different components to the system allows us to combine the different types of technologies to compliment the strengths and weaknesses of each other. For example, Radar and Prism or GNSS Monitoring are often combined in open pit mining operations in order capture long term and/or seasonal movements as well as detecting sudden movements across large surface area's in near real time with millimetre accuracy.
In other situations and environments such as construction in urban area's we typically see different combinations. Total stations may be innovatively mounted somewhere unobtruce with a completely different geometry to long range mine wall monitoring and combined with different geotechnical sensors like tilt meters, peizometers, inclinometers etc. to capture data that is more pertinent to a particular issue or to the type of hazard that requires monitoring. These sensors are usually less prone to obstruction by various objects that might interrupt a consistent line of sight as well as other hurdles associated with monitoring in smaller spaces that are densely built-up and can be extremely dynamic as they develop.
Compatibility
Whatever sensors are preferred, already used or otherwise required, Leica GeoMoS can be configured to integrate with them so that all of your data can be centrally managed in one place. With GeoMoS Monitor we can automate the collection of data from any sensor and send email alerts, SMS, activate an alarm or start another software process whenever a threshold/limit is exceeded. Furthermore, Leica GeoMoS also has an API available now allowing data to be streamed from GeoMoS to another platform of your choice.
There are several software solutions available that can be used to analyse the data captured by GeoMoS and generate reports. Whether you want to access the database over your LAN or from the cloud, there is a solution to suit your needs. You can even view your data from a smartphone. Contact us to learn more.
System Design
It goes without saying that selecting hardware and software that are capable of meeting the demands of the environment and delivering results to specification is extremely important but it's not always as simple as just choosing components that meet specification. Often, even the best equipment and software will not provide satisfactory results if the monitoring system has not been designed optimally.
This is particularly prudent in prism monitoring systems where there are so many factors involved in capturing millimetre accurate, geo-referenced, 3D vectorised data. An accurate and stable survey control network is important but furthermore, a lot of consideration to site topography and geometry is paramount to capturing the data. If your system is not providing results that are repeatable, accurate and/or reliable, there is a good chance that the design of the system is letting you down.
Fortunately, these problems can often be resolved at a relatively small cost or perhaps even at no cost with nothing more than some simple advice from one of our experienced consultants. Contact us for an obligation free, confidential discussion about your project and let us help you to get the most from your monitoring system. Whether you are in the market for a new monitoring system or have an existing system that just needs a face lift, contact Pangea Geosystems for a professional assessment or just a second opinion.
Network Infrastructure
A critical element in commissioning and maintaining a quality monitoring system is ensuring that the software and networking infrastructure selected for the monitoring system is robust and reliable but still flexible enough that the user is able to collect and analyse data efficiently without compromising network security.
Pangea Geosystems achieves this firstly by using software and hardware solutions that have already been tried and proven over many years but we believe that the key to making it work begins with our consultative, end to end sales process. We place great emphasis on our communication with our customers, including IT departments and other stakeholders throughout the sales and commissioning processes and well into the future.
Our specialist consultants have strong IT/Networking skill set and can liaise confidently with the IT professionals in your organisation to quickly establish any specific technical requirements there may be and recommend solutions to connect your monitoring system to your existing network. Alternatively, we can supply a completely new network designed exclusively for your monitoring system.
Deployment to site
Once the monitoring system architecture has been agreed upon and the customer is ready to proceed, Pangea Geosystems will appoint a consultant to manage the project and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Once we have confirmed that our clients site or workplace is ready for our visit and all pre-requisites have been met, our consultant will travel to site equipped to piece it all together. This typically involves fitting of electronics components, solar 12/24V DC power systems, WiFi infrastructure and a large range of different sensors. When the hardware is in place we can continue on with installing and configuring the software to get everything integrated and communicating between the field and the office.
Customised Training
The last part of the visit typically involves training the end users so that they have the knowledge to use and maintain the system without too much outside assistance going forward. This is quite heavily tailored to our customers needs and may take as little as a day or as long as a week depending on the level of experience of the trainee and the level of "off-site" support that a customer is happy or willing to rely on. See more about our training services here.
Support and Maintenance
Well after our consultant returns back to our office, Pangea Geosystems are available to provide you with all of the support you need to keep your critical deformation monitoring system up and running to the highest of standards.
We have three standard levels of support available to choose from (Silver, Gold and Platinum), designed to meet a range of different needs and budgets with our Gold & Platinum members also receiving discounts on purchases of consumables like prisms and services such as site visits, training and system audits. Find out more on our "Support" page here.
