How do you select the right 3D laser scanning company?
Eliminate Stress When Selecting a 3D Laser Scanning Service
A savvy professional knows that not all service providers are alike. Laser scanning is an advanced technology. 3D laser scanning companies must stay at the forefront of the industry to deliver successful projects. This means having the right people onboard with the correct skill set, professional-grade equipment, and software experience to get the job done right.
Ask 3D Laser Scanning Service Providers the Following Questions
Do they have experience in your industry?
Trust companies whose primary business is laser scanning. Does the 3D laser scanning service have experience working with companies in your industry? Can the company commit to your project scope and requirements? Do they have a project manager in your area and an in-house CAD design team? Select a company who understands your industry and project objectives, and who adds value with custom deliverables.
Can you speak with the project manager?
The ability to speak with a project manager in your area assures there is a person that can rapidly mobilize to your jobsite. Have the project managers been formally trained, and do they have field experience? Can the project manager tie the scan data to survey control and/or project coordinates for project documentation?
Do they administer due diligence for your project?
Does the 3D laser scanning company work with you to define the project scope and spec the right tools to achieve the accuracy and deliverables needed to successfully complete your project?
Do they have a range of laser scanning equipment?
What brands of 3D laser scanning equipment do they own and are they available for your project? The brands we suggest are Leica P-series scanners, the Leica RTC360 laser scanner, and NavVis mobile mapping systems. These professional-grade laser scanners capture exact dimensions and locations of architectural, structural, and MEP systems. Be sure to ask what format the point cloud will be delivered in (raw, indexed, file type, colorized, intensity, etc.).
Can they provide deliverables in your software package?
Confirm that the 3D laser scanning company has the specialized software required for your project. Examples are ReCap, TruView, NavVis Ivion, LFM, Cintoo, BIM 360, Navisworks, AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, SolidWorks, and MicroStation. Ensure they have licenses for the software you require and that they are proficient in creating deliverables. There is a significant learning curve to creating high-quality 2D CAD drawings and 3D BIM models. Also, ask what modeling options they offer in terms of level of detail and how those levels are defined? How are their modeling services priced?
What is the Best Way to Evaluate 3D Laser Scanning Companies?
Request information on employees.
Ask for the backgrounds, technical expertise and experience of the staff. What relevant professional licenses do they hold? Do they have a team of architects, engineers, and CAD technicians? This will give you a good idea of whether the company has the right people for the job.
Ask for past project examples.
Established companies will have a portfolio of their past projects or case studies. Check their website to see their capabilities and if they have worked on projects similar to your scope. Or, ask the company to send project examples to you via email.
Read client reviews.
Check the Google My Business account for reviews and their social media pages for comments. Also, check their website for testimonials. Reading responses from clients can give you a good feel of how they were treated, and what type of clients they’ve successfully worked with in the past.
Ask for a consultation call.
It’s important to select a service provider that understands your specific challenge, and will provide custom deliverables to help you achieve your goals. You should be able to get a proper feel of this during the initial talks, with the way that they approach the conversation and how they ask their questions.
Discuss technical preferences.
This can be in the form of software programs, level of detail, units, standards used, etc. This is also important for ensuring a scalable solution, should you decide to bring in a different team in the future, ensuring that they can easily update designs and work with the existing files in place.
do they have an In-House CAD team?
Does the company have an in-house team of CAD designers, engineers and technicians that work with the actual data captured or are projects sent to other companies to register and model?
Determine how the data will be delivered.
There is tremendous value in 3D laser scan data. Is your company equipped with tools for storage and visualization? Can the data be shared in an online platform across design and construction teams? Be sure to discuss what will work best for your company. Upon project completion, ask if the 3D laser scanning company will host or turn the data over to you via Sharefile, cloud-hosted software, or on a hard drive.
What are the Benefits of Using a 3D Laser Scanning Company?
Save time.
3D laser scanning should provide a faster turnaround on projects. 3D laser scanning service providers have the experience in taking a project from start to finish as efficiently as possible. Chances are likely that they have done a similar project before, accelerating the deliverable process.
Control costs.
The proposal should be transparent; there should be no hidden fees and no surprises when you receive your invoice.
Save resources.
A common method for building documentation involves utilizing in-house resources and contact-type measurement devices to manually inspect sites, which is time consuming. 3D laser scanning enables you to produce highly accurate digital measurements and images quickly and easily, eliminating site disruption and revisits.
Accurate data.
A single laser scan captures millions of 3D data points per second, providing incredibly rich detail of a building or project site. Datasets are dimensionally accurate, measurable and shareable. Accurate data facilitates project planning – design, specifications, scope of work, schedule, material takeoffs, and risk.
Receive support.
Most 3D laser scanning companies provide support services. The company should be available for meetings, training, and consultation on how to best use the data.
Improve communication.
Teams can discuss plans while each has access to the same information, creating a more dynamic working environment.
Minimize change orders.
The more time and effort you put into planning, the smoother the project will proceed. With 3D laser scanning, accurate design plans are produced from the start, expediting field work while reducing change orders, delays and costs.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right 3D laser scanning service can be stressful. Asking the right questions can arm you with the information to choose the best partner for the job. We are happy to answer any questions you have. Call TruePoint Laser Scanning today at 419-843-7226 or email info@truepointscanning.com.