Conference report
HxGN Live: understanding and shaping change
H
exagon 2013 continued to promote the non-linear workflows discussed in previous years. With over 3500 attendees, it was a vibrant event, as well as a reflection of times in which information flows were fast paced for both manufacturer and user alike. The overall message was one of synergy and intuitive solutions at an event now rebranded as HxGN Live.
For the third year running HxGN Live was located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Technologies showcased included the ScanStation P20 and the Leica Nova MultiStation MS50 – built to revolutionise the geospatial industry. It was a year of transparency too, both in terms of market ambition and in terms of future developments, reports Adam P Spring for GW.
Hands-on training The hands-on sessions presented a mature approach to technology integration. In fact, integration has become a prominent theme since the first Hexagon Conference in 2011, one that continues to shape the way developers and users are interacting with all products. A training session given by Guy Cuttings on the morning of June 4th, Using Point Clouds in SmartPlant 3D with Leica Cloudworx, was one of many that day which demonstrated how Leica Geosystems has benefited from the acquisition of Intergraph in 2010. Cutting’s fifteen years of experience with laser scanning made the technology accessible to users from Power, Plant and Marine (PP & M). Leica Geosystems is something of a melting pot that continues to promote collaboration between all of Hexagon’s divisions.
Opening keynote Transparency and synergy were prominent ideas communicated throughout the opening keynote. Ola Rollén, President and CEO of Hexagon AB, revisited his fundamental concept of Actionable Information through the stories created by a global network of users. When it came to providing the best
solutions possible all parts of the company were presented as working together as well as working with, not just for, the customer. A live interview with Gerhard Sallinger began the seamless transition between the other Presidents of Hexagon: Norbert Hanke, Juergen Dold and John Graham. Rollen closed the session on an empowered note: “Go out there and over the next three, four, days create great stories where you and us together create smart solutions.”
Digital narratives Digital narratives also played a key role. This was reflected through the name change of the conference. A change that fell in line with ideas of non-linear workflows and a social marketing strategy geared toward an Internet of Things. Included for the latter was a new conference app – one that asked users for access to the location of the smart devices used, along with the uploading of video and photo coverage to the HxGN website. Attendees were encouraged to engage and win prizes.
Geosystems keynote Emerging and advanced markets were central themes in the Leica Geosystems keynote. With over 3500 employees worldwide, 20 training classes, 120 sessions, 20 topic areas and 3 subtracks it was clear that Juergen Dold and his team were well placed to make smart solutions that were useful to an information-driven world. The audience was even treated to a champagne reception as part of the launch of the Leica Nova MS50, the realisation of a 15year-old dream to effectively incorporate Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) into the Total Positioning Station (TPS) solution. High Definition Survey (HDS) tools like the MS50 and Leica ScanStation P20 took centre stage throughout HxGN Live. As agents of change, they continue to fulfil Dold’s vision for progressive mapping solutions: “The world is not flat or static and nor should be the map.”
Leica Nova MS50
Above: grand entrance. Right: all at sea with a lifebelt for the MultiStation?
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Geomatics World
July / August 2013
The focal point of the Geosystems keynote was the Leica Nova MS50 MultiStation with robotic TPS and TLS capabilities. Mergetec was the official term given to a system that, as well as being an evolutionary product, has the potential to introduce scanning solutions like the Leica P20 into new markets. Volumetric analysis and BIM are two applications where the MS50 will have an immediate impact. Anticipation surrounding the latter was elaborated upon by