Practical tools for forestry management

I performed a demonstration of the new TDS SOLO Forest software at the Winning Technologies in Forestry trade show recently. SOLO Forest is the GIS and mapping solution for forestry applications developed by Tripod Data Systems (TDS), a Trimble company. At the show, we demonstrated the SOLO Forest software as part of a bundled real-time inventory management system, developed by one of our dealers. SOLO Forest is based on TDS SOLO Field mapping software, but with new capabilities specifically for forestry. These include:

• Grid Generation Tool—This tool allows the user to generate a grid of points to be sampled in a forest stand on their GPS-equipped handheld. The GPS will tell the user how to get to the point; once he’s there, a software interface will call up the timber inventory program so the user can enter measurements on the trees in that plot area. Once all the tree measurement data is collected, SOLO Forest calls up the next plot location on the grid to be sampled, with navigational tools to get the user there. It also marks completed plot points so the user knows when he’s visited all of the points on the grid.





• Split/Merge Polygon Tool—When collecting data in a forest stand, a user will often find an area that needs to be treated separately because of differences in tree size, species or other factors. With the split tool, a user can map out a separate plot area using GPS or from a map display on the handheld. The merge tool does the opposite when two areas have the same kind or size of trees.





• Buffer Tool—Many areas require a buffer zone along streams, rivers or wildlife habitats where trees cannot be cut. The buffer tool allows a user to define that zone around a point, line or area. Like the split/merge polygon tool, the buffer tool lets a user define the area using GPS or a map on the screen.

Besides the product demonstration, I also had opportunities to talk with customers and answer their questions. They’re familiar with electronic maps and GIS, but the most common questions were about how SOLO Forest handles different GIS file formats. Fortunately, I could tell them that it works with ESRI Shapefiles, along with projection information, AutoCAD DXF and other common files.

Forestry is one of those outdoor environments where rugged handhelds are proving very popular. With today’s software, mapping and GPS capabilities, they’re practical tools that can help foresters get more accurate data and do it more efficiently.

Spring forward three weeks early—and get your handheld in synch

Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 11—three weeks ahead of the traditional start. Congress mandated the change in August, 2005 in a bid to save energy. Starting this year, Daylight Savings Time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. So not only are we springing forward earlier, we’re falling back later.

Ranger or Recon handheld computers with Windows Mobile software were designed to switch to Daylight Savings Time automatically—but it’s on the old schedule. The easiest solution is to install the patch from Microsoft. You can download it here: Steps for Windows Mobile. You’ll also find information in our technical bulletin here: 2007_Daylight_Saving_Time_Bulletin.pdf

All together now

When a forester takes one of our handhelds out to do a timber cruise, he may be using multiple technologies, but it all has to work together as one integrated system. That’s the message I got from talking with customers at the Winning Technologies in Forestry trade show earlier this year. They want the electronic maps, GPS, inventory management software and handheld computer to all work together seamlessly.

And with our forest industry partner LandMark Systems, we’ve done just that. LandMark’s RTI real-time inventory package combines our rugged handheld and SOLO Forest software with Tcruise forestry software and GPS. To the forester, though, it’s all one system. And that’s what counts.

Something else I learned at the show is the ruggedness we built into our handhelds has become the accepted standard. Most foresters know the Ranger and Recon work in the woods, so I get fewer questions about their specs. Occasionally, I’ll talk to a customer from Canada who might ask because “it gets pretty cold here, you know.” For the record, their operating temperature ranges from -22 to 140°F (-30 to 60°C).

Blogging from the top (and bottom) of the world—with a Recon

As if climbing the seven highest peaks on the world’s seven continents weren’t enough of a challenge, try doing them all in only seven months. Swedish photographer and adventurer Fredrik Sträng just did—and his 7-7-7 quest marks a new Guiness World Record—191 days. That’s six months and six days from start to finish. These are the seven summits:

1. Everest 2. Denali (Mt. McKinley) 3. Elbrus 4. Puncak Jaya 5. Kilimanjaro 6. Aconcagua 7. Vinson Massif

Asia North America Europe Oceana Africa South America Antarctica

8,848 m (29,029 ft.) 6,194 m (20,320 ft.) 6,642 m (18,513 ft.) 4,884 m (16,023 ft.) 5,895 m (19,340 ft.) 6,962 m (22,841 ft.) 4,897 m (16,067 ft.)

During his expedition, Fredrik constantly updated his blog using a Trimble Recon. Blogging from some of the harshest outdoor conditions in the world, he found the Recon worked without problems, even at temperatures as low as -30 C and altitudes up to 6,400 meters.

Fredrik’s expedition will be published in a book coming out in September. A one-hour English-language documentary will be released in early 2008.

 

The other white meat—a huge potential market for rugged handhelds

So what’s a company that makes rugged handheld computers doing at a trade show like the Iowa Pork Congress? Well, it turns out that pig farmers are pretty computer savvy—and the inventory tracking and animal management they need to do are ideal applications for rugged handhelds.

A typical commercial pig farm could have tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of animals, and farmers not only need to keep track of them all, but they also need to manage medication and feeding regimens. They also have to monitor pregnant sows, along with the birth weights and progress of their piglets.

About half of the software companies that serve this market are offering Windows Mobile versions, and the rest are heading in that direction. They’re also moving toward RFID for tracking individual animals. Plus, since pig farms tend to be smaller than cattle ranches, they can be readily set up with WiFi coverage. That means information collected on the handheld can be sent back to the office in real time.

Of course, when you think of pigs, you often think of mud. Which is why a rugged handheld makes so much sense when you’re working in this kind of environment. And pig farmers are often working outside in bad weather as well.

We didn’t know what to expect at the show, but the people we met in Iowa are definitely interested.

Recon Street Navigator, Google vs. Microsoft

Given the competitive nature of the consumer internet mapping space, it is no surprise that someone would come out with a similar product to the Microsoft Live search we reviewed here recently.What is surprising is how Google responded with its own product so quickly. The Google Maps for Mobile application was announced in early February.

Since both products provide almost identical interfaces, the main differentiating features are map quality and usability. After starting the application, Google shows you a map instead of a search screen as Microsoft does.

Entering a search is very text oriented on Google Maps. You enter the type of search you want (i.e. Hardware stores), then the city and state. Live Search Mobile lets you choose from a series of lists – something that is much easier to do if you are in a car.

The results look similar in both programs, except that Google presents maps that are somehow cleaner and easier on the eyes. In addition, the Google Maps traffic mapping is much easier to see because both sides of traffic are clearly drawn. The color indicates speed: Green (over fifty mph), Yellow (between 26 and 50 mph), Red (less than 25 mph).



The directions feature operates very similarly in both programs, except that Google Maps shows each step on the map, not on a list. A GPS will center the map based on your location.



The best feature on Google Maps, and the one that sold me on the program, was the map quality. While Windows Live showed black and white aerial photos of many areas, Google Maps seems to have many more updated color maps – even in rural areas. For example, our small city of Corvallis, Oregon is completely in color on Google Maps. Here is a comparison of the Trimble building on both services (Oops, the Windows Live map is so old that our building isn’t even on it! We built it almost 10 years ago).


So, now you have a choice between two very similar applications for your Recon or Ranger. Since they are both free, try them both out before deciding. You will need to attach a GPS (Bluetooth, or Holux CompactFlash card) and a GPRS data connection (wired or Bluetooth to a cell phone) to your device before hitting the road.

Visit http://www.google.com/gmm to download Google maps and http://wls.live.com for the Microsoft application and let us know what you think. Just remember, with a GPS and maps like these, you won’t be able to use getting lost as an excuse anymore.

Testing for unique customer requirements

Hi! My name is Alex. I am a member of Tripod Data Systems’ engineering team. I am responsible for successful execution of customer-focused projects, also known as tactical projects. Our customers call us for unique configurations, and I get to test the limits of our products to see if they can handle the conditions stated in the customer request.

I created this video of me testing the buoyancy of a Recon mated with an Extended Cap off the jetty on the Oregon Coast near Yaquina Bay. The Recon is thrown out into the water several times, and it survives the ordeal of hitting the water and banging against the rocks when I haul it to shore!